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Inspired by the example set by their Davao Blogger friends, Bariles and Orman, with the help of some people, organized a Photo-Journalism Workshop for Bloggers and the Soccsksargen Bloggers X’mas Eyeball last December 21, 2009.

"THE FARM'S TARP BEHIND ONE OF THE WOODEN BENCHES SCATTERED ALL OVER THE RESORT. PHOTO BY HECTOR MINOZA"

To make the event more exciting and fun, it was held out-of-town, in a sprawling resort hotel in Carpenter Hills, Koronadal City, simply called The Farm.

Just like the Davao leg, the lecturer was no less than famous Davao media personality Jojie Alcantara, who wears so many hats (TV product endorser, event host and manager, photo journalist, blogger).  This time, responsible for her trip was Asia United Bank’s VP Orman Manansala of  Ganda Ever So Much.

Together with her were her friends, the fun-to-be-with-fotog  Joyce Mariscal and artist-partner Bogs San Juan, who had to drive from Davao City as early as 3am.

Eventually, all the excited bloggers and budding photographers who travelled from GenSan and the rest of Socsksargen in the morning set off to Koronadal City.  They weren’t prepared though for the grand accommodation which awaited them at The Farm, the official venue arranged by blogger Gilbert Tan.

As soon as their vehicles entered the resort’s main gates, passing through a  tree-lined roadway,  in the midst of lush vegetation and all sorts of flora, their fascination with The Farm immediately took over.  Once inside, they were directed by its amiable staff towards the workshop venue at the farther end of the sprawling compound.

Welcome to The Farm‘s Japanese Hall.

"THE FARM'S JAPANESE HALL WHERE THE WORKSHOP CUM XMAS PARTY WAS HELD."

The Japanese Hall was a separate building which had two ascending rock walkways from both sides.  Once inside, the workshoppers were gushing about how the venue was arranged for them.  It was perfect for the activity, to say the least.

"WHITE CLOTH ACCENTUATE THE HIGH CEILING OF THE JAPANESE HALL WHICH WAS FITTED WITH A LARGE SCREEN AT ONE END AND A BUFFET TABLE AT THE OTHER END."

The workshop began with an introduction by Bariles himself, laying out the agenda for the whole day which was divided into 3 parts:  Morning for the Workshop Lecture; Noon for the Xmas Party; and, the Early afternoon for the Photo Safari, Search for the best photoshots and Graduation.

That paved the way for the lecture of the effervescent Jojie Alcantara, an exercise which as everyone soon found out, was as much fun as it was practical and informative.

When everyone had their fill of “rule of thirds”, “lines”, “perspectives”, “worm’s eyeview”, “reflections”, etc, lunch was called.  That was when the Sox bloggers were treated to a mini-feast courtesy of THE FARM.

"BLOGGERS SHOOT THE SUMPTUOUS FOOD PREPARED BY THE FARM BEFORE EATING THEM, AS USUAL"

"CHOW TIME AT THE CLASSY JAPANESE HALL OF THE FARM."

Then it was time for Alexis Chua of MSu-GenSan to deliver his orientation on OPERA, assisted by Xril.

ALEXIS CHUA, CAMPUS COORDINATOR OF OPERA IN MSU-GENSAN ORIENTS PARTICIPANTS ABOUT WEB BROWSER.

After the distribution of the cute OPERA shwags, it was officially Christmas Party Time (12:30-1:30pm) as the different gifts and freebies we brought were raffled off to everyone.

"GIFTS, FREEBIES AND SCHWAGS ALL READY TO BE RAFFLED"

When all have received the free stuff from Asia United Bank, Opera, SMART and the bloggers themselves, the PHOTO SAFARI began.  Ms. Jojie ordered everyone to take pictures inside the compound of The Farm for the next one hour and the best photos will be rewarded prizes.

To take a look at the pictures, please check out these other blog posts by these bloggers:

• Hector Minoza
• Orman Manansala
• Rabsky Villanueva
• Kristan Franco
• Dr. Remo Aguilar
  

At the end of the day, the group did not leave The Farm without capturing the Christmas decors adorning the premises.  The whole place at night transformed into a Wonderland of lights and sights.

"ONE OF THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGES INSIDE THE FARM. PHOTO BY BARILES."

With all these, surely, not one among them will not have the fondest memories of their Photo-Journalism Workshop cum Christmas Party at Koronadal’s famed The FARM.

"THE SOCCSKSARGEN BLOGGERS AT THE STEPS LEADING TO THE JAPANESE HALL OF THE FARM WHERE THE WORKSHOP CUM XMAS PARTY WAS HELD. PHOTO BY BOGS SAN JUAN."

Related posts:

1. Dolores Farm Resort, Polomolok’s weekend retreat
2. Leonard Pe’s Basic Fotog Workshop!
3. FREE Summer Kids Art Workshop from KCC
4. 1st Dance Workshop for Kids from KCC Mall of GenSan
5. Mark Ryan Ortega’s Portraiture Workshop