MANILA, Philippines - He explored more locations in the Philippines than most Filipinos. He took part in more historically based rituals and even some soon-to-be-forgotten traditions; attended more fiestas, some of which no one has even heard of; participated in festivals, always experiencing every aspect of each grand affair; tasted more regional dishes, enjoyed with either silver cutlery or his bare hands; and engaged in more outdoor activities, on land, under water, and up in the air, than the average Pinoy.
Daniel Carpentier, a Frenchman by birth, considered himself a Filipino by choice. He was, in fact, more Filipino than most of our countrymen who were born, raised, and have been living in this country all their lives.
He was also an adventurer by heart. He was a prolific photographer, always with a camera slung around his neck like an extension of his spirit. In his career, he awesomely amassed more than half a million images of life, capturing anything and everything beautiful.
In pursuit of a photo, the always-on-the-go lensman crossed every highway and byway on whatever mode of transportation, be it a mud-covered carabao, a rinky-dink outrigger boat, or a small, two-seater airplane. He walked mile after mile, under the most cruel weather conditions, to reach seemingly inaccessible places. For him, no place was not important enough to visit and eventually photograph.
Born in Canteleu in Normandy, Daniel’s love affair with travel and photography started with his own family trips around France, soaking up the joie de vivre, the grand sights and lifestyle, and the haute or home-style cuisine that the country is known for. Back then, the curious young boy carried a Kodak 66, his first camera of importance that also featured a fold-out lens.
At 17, he joined the French Navy and crossed the seas. There were voyages to Northern Europe and the North of Africa, and Daniel conquered each new port-of-call with his camera, his ever present companion.
In 1977, he left his childhood home for exotic Thailand and settled there for 17 years. He put his academic degrees to use, working as a manpower manager. Then, his interest about the Philippines was piqued through the amazing stories of many of his friends. In 1996, he made his way to our shores – as a tourist at first – and felt more than welcome. The photos that he took of his very first vacation urged him to come back again and again.
After several visits, Daniel became an investor in the country. Finally, with his Filipino ties growing stronger, he decided to stay. Years later, in 2000, he surrendered to his first love, photography, and established PDP Digital, Inc. in Cebu. Aside from indulging his passion, he wished to share and hoped to attract more foreigners through the projects he would undertake in the photography and printing services company.
Daniel found the islands simply enchanting and the Filipinos the best to work with. In this new chapter of his life, he captured the beauty of the country – its people, traditions, history, culture, arts, natural wonders, adventure, architecture, lifestyle, food, everything – from the distinct eye of a discerning foreigner. Apart from vivid richness, this lent his images with a sense of wonder. It’s as if, through his work, you are discovering places for the first time – a secret cave, an old house, a narrow beach, a thick forest canopy, a placid lake, or a busy market.
Chances are you may have seen many of his images. Daniel produced several materials that star the sights of the country. He took the photographs, tapped writers, some from the very places that he visited, and then produced the materials. There is the Your Guide series, which featured hot spots, from Cordillera to Davao, Palawan to Negros Oriental, Boracay to Siquijor, Legaspi to Siargao, and more. Some of these books have also been released in French, Chinese, Spanish, and Korean.
There are also the folded street and road maps of Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Leyte, among others, and atlases of Metro Manila. These are available at leading bookstores.
He did two coffee table books, Central Philippines and Ladies of Cebu, a collection of portraits, as well.
There are also the popular Philippine calendars and postcards featuring sweeping shots of the country’s natural and man-made destinations and endemic flora and fauna, including tarsiers, eagles and tamaraws, to mention a few. Companies and associations commissioned him to create promotional products, featuring, of course, his stunning photos.
Daniel just took every opportunity to share beautiful photographs with others. He even produced bookmarks and key chains with tiny images of grand cathedrals and majestic terraces.
For his outstanding contribution to the Philippine travel and tourism industry, Daniel was awarded as Photographer of the Year in 2006 by the global travel organization SKAL.
Earlier this year, on Jan. 30, Daniel suddenly and sadly passed away in a vehicular accident in Samar. The photographer, always with his camera, was taking scenic images along the way for his image bank. He was heading to Bicol to update a new guide for the region.
As a final salute to the happy wanderer, the photographer’s ashes were scattered in the waters of Cebu, his favorite island of all. A large gathering of family, relatives, friends, and colleagues in several yachts and boats watched as he became forever a part of the waters, earth, and sky of the country he cherished so much.
Daniel may have passed on, but his legacy continues in the immortal images of his beloved Philippines.