Sitting for our family portrait at TriNoma
Last month, we decided that it was time to have a family portrait made of Rebecca, myself, and Juanito. Certainly, since Juanito arrived, we have taken many, many pictures. However, this was the first time that we had a professional take a formal portrait of all of us together.
So, we packed up Juanito into the car, and headed over to TriNoma mall in Quezon City. TriNoma is a somewhat upscale mall here, with all of the major brand stores and things that most expats are likely to need when moving here. The mall is anchored by Landmark, an ultra-modern, upscale supermarket and department store. In fact, that is one of the primary reasons I am writing this article: The concern as to the availability of different items in the Philippines. Yes, the Philippines may be considered the developing world, yet, it is important for people to remember this: There is a hell of a lot of money in this country. Income distribution is widely unequal, and the “have-nots” certainly struggle just to survive from day to day. But what about the “haves”? Well, say that 5% of the population are well off. That equates to roughly 5 million people who are very much high-end consumers, most of whom live and work in Metro Manila. These consumers demand all of the goods that one could find in Europe or the United States, both in terms of quality and availability. In other words, everything that you could expect to find in the West is available here… For a price. That is what expats need to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to move here. Yes, the modern, top-line, feature-laden, LG refrigerator is for sale here, but do you want to spend the additional money to purchase this type of refrigerator, or would a simpler model suffice? These are the types of questions you will need to answer when moving here. What is important to you and a “necessity” or what will be sufficient for your standard of living. Once you head out of Manila to the provinces, availability of “luxury” goods drops quickly… Remember where those with the money tend to live. It is not Tuguegarao.
The point of all this is that a formal portrait by a professional photographer is very much considered a luxury out in the sticks… Not many people in the province can or will spend a whole month’s wages on a family picture. Yes, there are a few photographers out there, but you will need to search for them. Rebecca had never sat for a portrait in her entire life, save for passport photos. There is a wing at TriNoma where there are 3 or 4 photo studios right next to each other. So, we choose one. Even the pricing was unfamiliar to her… She thought that you pay to have your picture taken, rather than paying for each print that is made. After the sticker shock wore off a bit, we ended up with one museum-quality framed portrait, along with about a dozen prints. The thought that we have at least one really nice photo together made it all worthwhile in her mind. So, below, here’s a couple of the pictures we had made.
John,you have a great looking family, your son is a handsome little man. Great points when it comes to the prices and availability in the City vs.the province.
I guess if a person could afford to live say in Davao,and wanted something in Manila,they could travel.Maybe make a weekend or a week of it.
In my case,I would need certain things that may or may not be available in the smaller cities.
Randy
Randy: Thank you. Cebu and Davao also largely have most goods available, but most smaller cities it becomes an issue.
Hi John
What a cutie pie your son is!!!!
Ans
Your wife is gorgeous….you are a very lucky man!!
I am glad to know that there are places to go if one REALLY needs a North American product.
In Cabanatuan ..it seemed that everything was pretty much available.
If you are ever in Vancouver let me know….a bunch of us Rotarians will meet you for dinner!!!
Tyleen; thank you… I am VERY lucky, indeed.
Hi John,
Nice looking family you have there. If you want to have more pictures of your son taken, you may want to consider BlowUp Babies. I have seen the quality of the prints, from the actual concept, composition, props, and the materials they use. It’s top notch. View their website here: http://www.blowupbabies.com/
I don’t work for them, by the way.
Cheers!
Patrick
Patrick; I’ll check it out. Thank you!
Hi John – Great story & pix. Simply amazing!
Everyone was able to settle on the final photos without numerous re-takes and re-visits to the photographer (not to mention the post-photo session afterthoughts when passing a competitor’s store front!).
A how-to guide in accomplishing this would be a great article (hint, hint, nudge, nudge, know what I mean, know what I mean?)
Paul: Say no more! The sitting was actually quite painless… About an hour.
Beautiful family.
Ann: Thank you!
Hi John – were you in the Oceanarium in Manila last Sunday with your wife and child? If not it must have been your twin brother!
Bryan: Yes we were… I just submitted an upcoming article about it. You should have said Hello… Would have bought you a beer.
I have only seen your photograph on this site so I was not 100% sure.I have been there several times in the last year and it appears that they will do the usual thing and spoil it with all the retail stalls in the foyer and mermaid shows etc.Sorry I did not have the courage to approach you – I too am partial to a San Miguel or two. I am back to Dubai tomorrow, Scotland next month then back to Manila second week of December – Unfortunately I will spend Christmas and New Year in Dubai.
Perhaps our paths will cross again.
Regards,
Bryan G
Bryan: have a good trip back… Middle East Christmas isn’t a whole lot of fun, but at least a few companies there will give you the day off!
Hi John – You guys look GREAT! Super family!
Bob: thank you! It was really nice getting a portrait with the three of us together… Home snapshots just aren’t the same.
Hi John. Beautiful family & great photography! Very nice to have the professional touch, for a family portrait. Well worth the money, as it will serve as a lifetime keepsake. Very nice!
Guy: Thank you! I’m really glad that we went.
John looking at your pictures reminds me that life is really good. Ron
Ron: Sorry for the really late response… Bad travel week and very busy. Thank you!
How’d a guy like you get a hotty like her??? Good looking family John your sons smile is contagious, thanks for bringing a big smile to me first thing in the morning.
Brian: I am truly the lucky one… I think the girls will really be after him in about 12 years!
Hi John:
I didn’t know people still have formal photos taken with all the digital stuff. Your comment about income distribution is right on. There is money there, a lot of it. There’s also the problem of paying income taxes. Many operate under the radar. That’s just my observation.
Alex
Alex: Actually, they used a professional grade digital camera… The professional aspect comes from lighting, poses, and so on.
Beautiful family John.
Ron: Thank You!
John, I agree with your comments on the lifestyle of the rich. If you go to the malls and restaurants in the Makati area, you will never believe that there are a lot of poor people in the Philippines. The problem is the rich become richer and the poor become poorer.
Next month we will fly to Philippines. We will be experiencing the lifestyle of the rich in Makati for three days, then fly to Marinduque and hibernate for 5 months. Life in Marinduque is peaceful, simple and away from the pollution and noise of Manila and its suburbs! We will stay away from local politics as usual, but I will get involve in trying to solve the power crisis in the island.
Nice photo of the family! By the way to all readers of this magazine, I have created a group in Face Book titled Our Golden Years. You are invited to join if you are over 50. Cheers to all!
David: Have a good trip back… One of these days I’ll get down to Marinduque! Sitting in Korea now, with a red-eye flight to Zamboanga for a meeting tomorrow, and home tomorrow night for 2 days!
John,
Great family photo.
The real question is what can be done in helping the filipino people less fornunate. I saw the street children in Manila. On my next trip I will buy several Jolibee meals and feed several of them when I leave the restaurant. Juramie was telling me about a neighbor who has trouble feeding her family twice a day. I have volunteer to buy bugas and ulam for the family when we visit Tagbubunga.
You are right about the photos. A group of us was in the Ormoc bus terminal. A mother asked me to take her daughter’s picture. She was so adorable. I wish that I could have printed the photo for her mom. I hope you can see the link to the flickr photo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26277828@N03/3244696870/
Jack: Thank you! Seeing the less fortunate is a fact of life here… I always try to buy the street kids food when I see them. (Or the old Lolas, too)
Great pics, how much were the rates by the way? With the amount of photo studios there I wonder how they all stay in business, the rental for their space must be ridiculous. I’ve been to Tri Noma numberous times, the average joe customer there isn’t exactly high tier. I’ve also passed by those studios I believe their on the 3rd floor, not exactly bustling with jolibee customer numbers. I’m thinking their rent is 50k, portraits for 5k a pop, they squeeze in 10 shoots plus another 5 per month, employee gets 15k, 3k for utilities, owner banks the rest.
Filamboy: You areright… I think the rents are really high there. The framed portrait was around 4K, with the 15 (5 big and 10 small… most for family)or so other prints at around 4K.
That little fella you are holding is as cute as a button.
Armando: thanks! He certainly is a little charmer… About 12 years I think the girls will really start chasing him.