Sinulog festival Queen for 2010: Pinta Flores Festival

I was about to drop the whole thing and just leave the show since it was raining heavily and the wind was quite strong. Holding on to my umbrella I was already shaking from the cold as the winds continued to blow and the water seemingly never-ending, continued to wash down upon us. But I knew I had to stay. I’ve come all the way with a ladder just to shoot this and find out the winner of Sinulog 2010 Festival Queen.

After almost 2 hours of waiting, the competition finally started. I later on understood why the competition had to wait till the winds calmed down. Apparently one of the contestants almost flew. (heck, her costume’s got some wings, it had to be there for a purpose right?)

Initially I started to use my 50mm f/1.8 at ISO 800 but the zoom was just not enough. So I later gave in to my 90-300mm f/4.5-5.6. I have to say, at ISO 800, it did not disappoint me at all. Who would’ve known such a weak and old lens would do the job. (take note, no Image stabilizer)

I had to leave already right after the last contestant had their presentation because it was getting quite late. Fortunately Sinjin called up and informed of the winner for the 2010 Festival Queen competition.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please congratulate the beautiful flowery Festival Queen of Pinta Flores!

I have to say that was one heck of a photoshoot. I have never experienced anything as extreme as that. It was truly the photographer’s survival of the fittest… or rather survival of the driest. Everyone carried with them whatever object they can use to keep themselves dry. Plastic, umbrella, broken umbrella, you name it all!

But setting aside all the bad stuff, I was happy to have met Sinjin there, and also finally met in person: Noelle and some CDP people like Johan (here’s a shout out for you, and also a shout out to those who were standing super near the stage with their heads protruding in our pictures like heads from the whack-a-mole game *diba Johan * )