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Friday, August 17, 2012

Back to Back Senate Exhibits of Breastfeeding Photographs

This August, there will be back-to-back breastfeeding exhibits at the Philippine Senate at PICC through the office of Sen. Pia S. Cayetano.  The first one is entitled "Padede" by Angelica Carballo while the second one is "Breastfeeding Art" by by husband Stanley Ong.  See below for the write-ups of both exhibits. 

The photographs exhibited will be focus on the different aspects and treatment of breastfeeding photographs and complement each other.  Stan's exhibit will start on August 22, 2012 while Angelica's exhibit will start on September 3, 2012.  Do check them out!



Photographer Stanley S. Ong and his wife, lawyer and L.A.T.C.H. breastfeeding peer counselor Jenny Ong recently embarked on a unique personal project to promote breastfeeding awareness in time for August 2012, the Philippines’ Breastfeeding Promotion Month.
With the theme “inspired by the past, interpreted by modern day moms to be preserved for the future generations” in mind, Stanley and Jenny recreated 17th and 18th century breastfeeding paintings into modern photographs, a series entitled "Breastfeeding Art".
 “We are happy to make this dream come true and we were able to have a photo shoot with the participation of these lovely, breastfeeding moms,” Jenny says.
The Ongs’ theme coincides with the 20th World Breastfeeding Week’s official theme: “Understanding the Past–Planning the Future.”
Stanley points out the significance of breastfeeding photos, encouraging moms to have their own photos taken to “immortalize that special period they share with their babies.”
“Having a breastfeeding photo is a lifetime keepsake of a fleeting moment,” Stanley explains.
The photographs will first be exhibited at the St. Luke's Global City's Lactation Unit from August 1–7, 2012, and will be moved to St. Luke's Quezon City (SLMC-QC) from August 11–18, 2012.  The exhibit will coincide with the very first L.A.T.C.H. class in SLMC-QC, which will be held at the hospital’s ABC Conference Room (2nd Floor).  
These photographs will also be exhibited at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City from August 27–29, 2012 in support of the collective campaign of L.A.T.C.H., Arugaan and Akbayan to create awareness on the “monster bill.”
A second copy of the photographs is currently on exhibit at The Medela House, #29 1st St. New Manila, Quezon City.  
The “monster bill,” a consolidation of four House bills that seek to amend the existing Milk Code, is presently pending at the House of Representatives.  The bill aims to allow health and nutritional claims and infant milk donations during disasters and emergencies, among other proposed provisions detrimental to breastfeeding. 
The photographs will also be put on display at the Senate through the Office of Sen. Pia S. Cayetano and the All About Baby Bazaar at the Rockwell Tent.  
The photographs are also available through a virtual exhibit at Stanley’s website.

Exhibit Dates:
August 1 - 7, 2012, St. Luke's Global - Lactation Unit
August 11-18, 2012, St. Luke's Quezon City
August 1 - 15, 2012, The Medela House
August 21-30, 2012, Senate through the Office of Sen. Pia S. Cayetano
August 25, 2012, All About Baby Bazaar, Rockwell Tent
August 27-29, 2012, at the Batasan

Profile of Moms (in the photographs):
Regina Hahn-Siy - Mom of Sophia (6 months old), owner of My Story Photography offering childbirth photography
Abie Co-Floreza - Mom of Raja (7 months old), lawyer and owner of Tickled Moms (cloth diapers, baby carriers)
Michelle Katigbak-Alejandro - Mom of Bella (15 months old), Editor in Chief - Metro Weddings magazine
Bessie Colet-Campillo - Mom of Amara (5 years old) and Adriana (8 months old), owner of Nursingmom (nursing covers and diaper bags)
Jasmin Que - Mom of Holly (2 months old), owner of Le Papillon Brand (ladies’ accessories)
Jenny Ong – Mom of Naima (4 years old) and Erik (7 months old), blogs at Chronicles of a Nursing Mom and owner of Mama.Baby.Love (breastfeeding accessories)



In line with the celebration of the World Breastfeeding Month 2012, a photo documentary work
on breastfeeding entitled Padede will be exhibited at the Senate of the Philippines Building, Roxas
Boulevard, Pasay City on August 13 - 16, 2012, in partnership with the Office of Senator Pia Cayetano and Medela Moms.

Padede is a self-initiated, self-funded, non-profit work of photographer, writer, and mother Angelica
Carballo that seeks to raise awareness about breastfeeding and create an inspiration for women that
their body is enough to give her child the best start in life. At the same time, the project will also show the predicaments and hindrances that women encounter when breastfeeding her child, and how these social, economic, aesthetic, and personal factors make her lose her trust and confidence in her breast, and what she can do to counter these.

Padede is a visual argument on the positive effects of breastfeeding. It also aims to reopen the topic
of breastfeeding among mothers, expectant mothers, and policy makers (in this case, the Senators),
particularly its benefits for mothers and children. The exhibit also seeks to remind our good legislators to support and promote breastfeeding through appropriate legislation.

Padede is a reminder that breastfeeding is best for babies and their mothers; safe and cost effective;
empowers women; and ensures a healthy, intelligent, and stable new generation for our country.
The work will exhibit the beauty of breastfeeding. Padede will also showcase breastfeeding as part of
women empowerment; contrary to the belief that breastfeeding will tie women to their homes.

Carballo started the project as a requirement to the Masterclass in Documentary Photography (MCDP) under the tutelage of documentary photographer and professor Alex Baluyut, where she was enrolled three months after giving birth to her youngest son. Carballo decided to pursue the topic after experiencing the joys of breastfeeding her children, Anna Katrina Leica, three years old, and Napoleon Boris, one year old.

At present, Carballo is a freelance writer and photographer who writes and documents stories on
women’s rights, public health, education, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). She is a member of
TALA Photo Collective, a group of Filipina women photojournalists; AKP Images, a group of young
documentary photographers; and the Freelance Writers Guild of the Philippines (FWGP).

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