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400 shots for UST's 400 years
Young photographer Paul Allyson Quiambao readily admitted that he has never been good with words. On paper, he can be quite verbose—not eloquent—with a tendency to use giant words ripped out of the thesaurus.
Paul Quiambao poses in front of one of his photos printed on canvas. This reproduction is currently being auctioned starting at P100,000. The only other copy of this photograph was already bought by university rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa. Jilson Seckler Tiu
But some of his fellow editors at UST’s official student publication, The Varsitarian, did not share the same enthusiasm when they encountered his column pieces. They just couldn’t feel the love, so to speak.
Perhaps it was because Quiambao was unfamiliar with the tricks of papers and pens or keyboards.
His language is silent save for the clicks of the shutter. He knows it by eye and heart. And that is how he—finally—rests his case on how much he loves his alma mater.
Student's perspective
Quiambao, the official photographer for the university's quadricentennial celebrations, was the lensman behind "400 Shots to Immortality: Timeless Photographs of the University of Santo Tomas Towards its Neo-Centennial," which quietly began the closing of UST's 400th year celebration last Friday.
The exhibit, housed inside the UST Main Building, features around 400 photos taken by Quiambao, a culmination of his five years in the university, where he honed his photography skills since he got his first digital SLR camera in 2007.
In an interview with GMA News Online, the young photographer said that after spending much of his fourth year shooting in UST, he thought about putting all his shots together for a showcase—an idea that he sold to university rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa late last year.
But Quiambao was quick to dismiss that it is his one-man exhibit. He said it was a showcase of the university, only based “on what my eyes have seen.”
“Gusto kong iparating sa susunod na generation na ito ang UST na nakilala ko. Kasi kapag tumitingin ako sa mga archive shots ng UST, naiisip ko, ‘Grabe naman ‘to, kahit ganu’n lang ang camera noon, nakuhanan nila nang maganda,’” he said.
Click here for a larger view -- Collated by Rose-an Dioquino and Josa Camille Bassig
Capturing the dynamic and the stationary
Occupying the lobby of the Main Building are most of Quiambao’s shots, which are divided into eight sections that show the young photographer’s ability to capture both the dynamic and the stationary.
In “We Are the Champions,” for example, Quiambao was able to freeze moments of Thomasian athletes and coaches alike in UAAP battles, particularly those of the UST Tigers and their coach Pido Jarencio, who is ever animated at the sidelines of the basketball court.
Photographs grouped in “Our Fathers,” which features the Dominican priests, are mostly poignant, like the photograph of Rector De la Rosa in the middle of the Eucharistic Mass, his hands raised with the host.
Glee in Thomasian celebrations is eminent through photos clustered under “Quadricentennial Celebration” and “Showcase of Thomasian Culture,” while solidarity in the UST community stands out in “Record Breaker,” which features photos of the largest human cross that he was able to capture from a helicopter.
“Unguarded Moments” show the university’s everyday activities, including moments when students have to face the unavoidable floods on campus.
In “Royal, Pontifical, Spectacular,” Quiambao hangs his shots of various sites in UST, prominently the Main Building, an earthquake-proof structure that is best known for its European feel.
Lastly, “UST in Paris” is the collection of photographs taken by Quiambao when the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) hosted an exhibit for the university in its headquarters in France.
The exhibit extends to the UST Museum, where all 40 photos—said to be Quiambao’s bests—are printed on canvas.
The photos in this set are up for sale, including shots of the Main Building at sunrise, with an upside-down reflection from the flood surrounding it; at night, with a streak of lightning going down; and on a calm, sunny day.
Young photographer Paul Quiambao (right) talks to pioneering glass sculptor Ramon Orlina, who attended the opening of his exhibit. Sherwin Marion Vardeleon
'Yes, finally!'
Sitting for an interview after the opening of the exhibit, Quiambao told GMA News Online that taking photos in UST rooted from his frustration over landscape photography.
“Frustrated landscape photographer ako. Hindi ako makapunta sa mga places dahil sa academics, tapos clumsy din ako sa gamit. So naisip ko, dito ko na lang ii-inject ‘yung frustration ko. At least ngayon, naipapakita ng outputs ko ‘yung mga angles sa UST na hindi usually nakikita,” he said.
It came with a number of sacrifices, he added, which include losing sleep just to capture UST at sunrise, standing on the edge of buildings to take photos of the big crowds during gatherings in the university, and putting photography first before academic obligations.
But even when his insomnia took a toll on his health, among other things, Quiambao is quick to say that there are "absolutely no regrets" over making UST his subject of choice. Aside from bagging a number of awards, such as the grand and second prizes at the UST Digital Photography Competition in 2010, he considers this opportunity as a way to give back to the university that helped him fulfill his dreams.
“No regrets, just love!” the 2012 graduating student quipped, laughing. “Ganu’n na siguro ‘yung pagmamahal ko sa UST kasi without it, wala rin naman ako sa kinalalagyan ko ngayon.”
Asked if he thought he was able to encapsulate his love for the school through the exhibit, Quiambao smiled, took a deep breath, and said: “Yes, finally!” Then, after a moment of silence, he added: “Sorry! Hindi ko kasi talaga ma-put into words!” –KG, GMA News The exhibit "400 Shots to Immortality: Timeless Photographs of the University of Santo Tomas Towards its Neo-Centennial" is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., until February 10. For inquiries, call the UST Museum at (632) 718-1815.
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