The Camera Club of the Philippines (CCP), on the other hand, has been in existence since 1928. Throughout its 75-year existence, the CCP has also compiled its own comprehensive visual narrative of a country in evolution. Its distinguished members include photography aficionados such as Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Bien Bautista, Fidel Ramos, Emil Davocol, Mariano Miranda, Prospero Madamba, Edgar Sarte, Rodolfo de Leon and Patrick Uy, among others.
Thus, collaboration between the two is only natural. When the 2004 edition of The Philippines Yearbook was in its planning stages, publisher and editor-in-chief Vernon Go hit upon the idea of forging a partnership with CCP. Go says, "Leo Riingin, CEO of Informatics and one of the Camera Club of the Philippines’ newest members, thought of the tie-up over a cup of coffee at Dome, if I recall properly. I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to showcase some fantastic images that not only represent the Philippines, but photos that tell a story through time since the CCP is commemorating 75 years."
Production of this year’s The Philippines Yearbook is already underway, and although there are few hitches along the way, Go remains undaunted.
"We are in the midst of production, and notwithstanding a few hiccups along the road to completion, the process has been quite smooth. Although there was concern from both sides as to how we would work together – as there always is between creative minds – we have been able to work things out after just a few meetings. The selection of photographs was first done by the CCP, but the final selections were of course done by The Philippines Yearbook since we could not accommodate all choices," relates Go.
Go also remains confident that despite the lofty history of both the CCP and The Philippines Yearbook, the 2004 edition will live up to expectations. He is, after all, used to working with tremendous talent.
"Some of the previous editions of The Philippines Yearbook have been very graphic and have enjoyed the participation of some of the country’s best art and news photographers, so in terms of quality of images, we have simply maintained the high standards that The Philippines Yearbook has become recognized for. However, the presentation this time is ostensibly that of a gallery art book... and this is what will make it different," he reveals.
Go adds, "I do have favorite photographs in the forthcoming edition, but I’d like people to look out for the quirky juxtaposition of each photograph and the pacing of the book. It was a lot of fun playing with the photos."
This early, the 2004 edition of The Philippines Yearbook, with the invaluable contribution of the Camera Club of the Philippines, is already beginning to sound like a milestone in the making. In a few months’ time, the public will get to see a whole generation of beauty through the eyes – or to be more precise, the lens – of some of the country’s most creative minds.