I Never Saw A Canon

Does buying a Canon make me a photographer? Or a Canon owner? Well this is embarrassing.

In the summer of 2010, I topped WordPress’ photography section with my “Red White Dog Day Afternoon.” A post which featured a few candid shots from a beach excursion somewhere in CamSur.

Think of me tearing down the walls.

Two months after that, I earned a slot at WordPress’ most coveted section, the Freshly Pressed, again under PHOTOGRAPHY category with my post titled “Cool Pueblo Plunge” which displayed some crazy acrobats at the Turumba Swimming Pool in Pakil, Laguna. Now this has opened the doors.

Summer the following year, I enjoyed a free overnight accommodation at the posh Club Balai Isabel in Tanauan, Batangas after winning their much sought-after photo competition. Then on September the same year, I was back at WordPress’ Freshly Pressed section with my disturbing images of exotic street foods in Beijing. My real big coup in travel-cum-photoblogging so far.

This year, I somehow managed to snatch a place at the point-and-shoot category in last June’s Canon Photomarathon Luzon Leg held at the Villa Escudero Plantation Resort. Ok so you may view me here grinning from ear to ear.

Now what’s embarrassing is — through it all — I never really own a camera.

All this time it’s either I am using my tatay’s Rebel 400D or the company-owned Powershot A550. I’m just a penniless traveler, see.

And so one day last October, somebody up there must have smiled down on me and granted me a Canon Powershot A810. This after placing 3rd in the Mabuhay-Germany’s photo contest themed “Step Forward, Have Fun.” At last, a Canon I can call my own.

HOWEVER, I have made a promise, pre-competition, to my teenage senorita that should I ever bag a prize on this one, it would be my present to her this Christmas. Sadly for me, I make good on my promises.

DEAR Canon, you have been delighting me always. Make me a photographer this Christmas..