Monday, March 03, 2008
A FILIPINO PHOTOJOURNALIST PAR EXCELLENCE
Popularly known as Ka Romy amongst younger colleagues, Romeo Gacad has captured some of the most tumultuous political events in the Philippines during the 1980s -- the communist insurgency, the 1983 assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino, and the Islamic separatist problem in southern Mindanao.
As for foreign events, he covered the three US wars: 1991 Gulf War, 2001 war in Afghanistan and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He witnessed the fall of Baghdad when he was an embedded photographer in the US Army 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq.
As respite from dangerous assignments, he enjoys covering international sports events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games (Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney and Athens). And besides having his photographs featured on the cover of Time, his efforts at the 1988 Olympics, the 2001 war in Afghanistan and the 2003 Iraq war, have been nominated for the prestigious Pulitzer.
He took up photography as a hobby in high school and attended the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines. Thereafter, he worked as a freelance stringer for the Associated Press and Sigma photo agency prior to joining Agence France-Presse’s (AFP) Manila bureau in 1985. He is currently the Chief Photographer of Agence France-Press (AFP), Asia-Pacific (Philippines).
Related Link:
Dangerous Assingments - PCIJ.org
Featured Artist: Romeo Gacad - iMAG Photography Forum (selected images)
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posted by Señor Enrique at 8:51 AM
18 Comments:
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Sidney said... And obviously still enjoy to be in the middle of the action !
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Panaderos said...
More power to Mr. Gacad/Ka Romy! His achievements are a source of pride to Pinoys everywhere. May he always stay safe.
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said... May his tribe increase!
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Señor Enrique said...
And also lugging all those gear, Sidney. Oh, well, the adrenalin rush in photojournalism can be addictive ... hehehe.
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Señor Enrique said...
He is really one fine photographer, Panaderos. He was also one of the speakers at FotoFest sponsored by Philippine Star last August.
The perils these photojournalists sometimes have to go through can be daunting, indeed.-
Señor Enrique said...
I agree, Mandaragat. I'm also confident that we have a new breed of photojournalists springing up.
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said...
It is always good to know that we have Pinoys who are world caliber in their professions. May we have many more of them!
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Señor Enrique said...
I think we already have a number of them in various disciplines, BertN. We just need to out them now and then ... hehehe. Of course, to inspire our youth.
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mgaputonimimi said...
i admire them... ^_^ mahirap ang ginagawa nila! sinusuong nila ang mga dilikadong lugar at pangyayari..
gusto ko parin ang mga black and white na shots nila compare sa panahon natin ngayun puro na colored.-
said...
it seems he's really passionate about his craft... and we ought to be also... hopefully we can also achieved what he has already...
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Señor Enrique said...
Bilib ako talaga sa kanila, Mimi. Kung minsan akyat pa sila sa mga gubat to cover a story. Di ko ata kaya yun.
I think most newpapers require colored photos and they are the one who decide later on if some images needed to be converted to black and white.-
Señor Enrique said...
Yes, Lino, he appears very passionate about his work, and so should we all as you said :)
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nutart said...
Wow! Seeing him balance on that barricade makes him quite an athlete too! Photojournalists are quite a breed on their own! I have seen some go in front of soldiers in rallies---just where the crossfire is! Just to get that "Pulitzer prize-winning" shot! I was sooo unnerved! But maybe those where the days when cameras were made of steel (?) and all sorts of lenses (heavy too!) dangling around them make them feel a bit protected :-). The weight of these equipment!...
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Señor Enrique said...
"No picture is worth your life," as most photojournalism masters would remind their students, Bernadette, BUT whether it's due to recklessness or adrenalin rush, a passionate photojournalist will at times succumb to a desire to share a particular scene with his readers despite some perilous circumstances that may be involved. You don't think about our own safety anymore, but the need to share what you are seeing with those not present at the scene. It's crazy.
Btw, that's a folding step ladder he was standing on. Some carry one with them besides their usual camera gear. :)-
said...
Impressive resume :) Man, going to the war frontlines to shoot pics is ever dangerous ! I admire these photographers who risk their lives so we can get a glimpse of the truth.
I remember in the old days the US army had its own photographers who were trained soldiers !-
Señor Enrique said...
You're right, BW, military used to have their lensmen -- stills and films.
But remember the roguish image of a photojournalist portrayed by Dennis Hopper in the movie, Apocalypse Now? Hehehe. But in fairness, there were other, more admirable Hollywood images of photojournalists such as in the film, Killing Fields.-
Jego said...
that's a folding step ladder he was standing on. Some carry one with them besides their usual camera gear
I couldve used one last Friday. :-)
there were other, more admirable Hollywood images of photojournalists such as in the film, Killing Fields.
There's also one in We Were Soldiers played by Billy Piper.-
Señor Enrique said...
Didn't see We Were Soldiers but will put it on my DVD to get list, Jego.
Yes, those step ladders can come handy in such occasions :)
