Memory, nowadays, is defined by how much of an event you managed to record for posterity. If you didn't take a photo, or video, did it even really happen? This is why I hardly take pictures. Sadly, nowadays, pictures and videos can be staged, and they convey not so much the memory, but the intended package that you want people to see. Too many times, we are shown "impromptu" proposals, "happening right now" photos, and the ever present "lol, no filter" selfie, all carefully planned out to give a desired impression.
There are, however, videographers that I like. There are still artists who prefer to convey a moment with the perfect shot, all the feeling and motion present in one frame, culture and history in one simple scene. Habi Collective, a group that honed their craft through passionately pursuing what is, as opposed to what should be, specializes in this. Operating out of what is officially Mark Lester Valle's bamboo lean-to, the members of this collective have honed their skill through application, making for an organic and heartfelt product that is a far cry from the slick, artificial tone that is present in too many photos and videos. Contacting them isn't as tricky as you'd think, though, as they do prefer online interaction. Lester and Carla are indeed, in their own words, weaving Filipino narratives. read more