The unfrequented fishing slums in Sorsogon City attracted lots of photographers on their photowalk. Holding the butts of their cameras as they entered the narrow, almost depressing alleys of the crummy neighborhood.
They wander around the area, noticing the heaviness that hangs in the air, looking for a worthy subject. Walking endlessly until they see a tanned man in his late 40s or early 50s, topless and wearing only jersey shorts. Sitting on the floor, legs spread. Weaving his fishnet suggesting that he is a fisherman.
Almost all photographers who participated in the photowalk took pictures of the said fisherman but it seems like one photographer has captured the only right angle. When Nash Jamrec Dioquino, a seventeen-year old amateur photographer based in Sorsogon, paused with other photographers to snap a photo of the fisherman weaving his fishnet on a normal day, he never realized that it would be recognized as one of the honorable mentions in the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk this year.
“Out of the hundreds of photos I took during the walk, this photo really captured my eye the most. It really captures the essence of the lives of fishermen, weaving nets or ‘lambat’ day and night using their hands,” Dioquino said in an interview with Bicoldotph.
Dioquino titled his photo as “Lambat: Weaving Dreams through the Fisher Men’s Grasp.” According to him, the photo captures the dedication of our fishermen, who, day and night, tirelessly weave their fishnets, showing the very heart of their livelihood and their connection to the sea.
He first joined Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk in 2022 held in Gubat, Sorsogon where he made some friends with some fellow photographers.
“My first walk was the Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk 2022 in gubat. On that walk I met some fellow photographers and made some friends. In the 2023 photowalk we met up, talked, took some photos, ate some snacks and chatted to my fellow walkers,” he said.
Dioquino shared that during the pandemic, it was his uncle Elton Dioquino who encouraged him to get into photography. He became his uncle’s assistant during weddings, debut, events, prenup, etc.
“He is the reason why I was intrigued in Photography. I actually don’t have a personal camera, I borrow from my uncle’s camera kit, when I am going to capture photos. So I really thank my uncle for that,” Dioquino said.
Dioquino shared that he was originally a cartoonist in Danlog, a news publishing club in Barcelona National High School but since he became so dedicated to his craft in photography after the pandemic, he decided to switch to photojournalism.
His family has an agribusiness called Camp Burabod Farmstead which became a training ground for him also to further improve his photography skills as he loves taking pictures there.
“Having a camera is just nothing if you don’t know how to see the beautiful thing around you. The way to improve is the people around you, the community where and who you are with. I am not the best person to say this but to be a great person is not based on skills, knowledge, fame but how you interact with the people surrounding you. I am still learning and improving but the important thing is I am having fun,” he said.
On December 2, Scott Kelby, the CEO of KelbyOne and a well-known photographer and author, officially revealed the winners and honorable mentions of the prestigious Worldwide Photo Walk.
Scott Kelby’s Worldwide PhotoWalk is an annual global event that brings together photography enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate their collective passion for humanity and storytelling. The event fosters a sense of community and creative expression among photographers of all levels. | Mera Melitante
