departures

a visual poem

by loven ramos

the princess ate my fish burgers

Last week's TEDx Phnom Penh event was such an overload. I shared the same stage with amazing individuals who have in one way or another, been the movers and shakers of the kingdom. There's John Lovejoy who has this incurable sense of wanderlust, bought himself three 60-euro Trabant cars and made an incredible journey with his friends from Hungary to Cambodia.

Tep Livina used to be a gangster who made a 360 degree turn with his life when he decided to enter school after being shot and badly injured. He came out a valedictorian in one of Cambodia's toughest language schools and soon after established his own learning institution to help Cambodian youth like him.

Then there's Kit Loring and Carrie Herbert, directors of Ragamuffin International, an institution which uses art and theatre as therapy to those ravaged by war, conflicts and deep emotional stress.

with Kit Loring and Carrie Herbert of Ragamuffin International

Sovathana Nana came from an impoverished family in Kompong Cham, but through sheer audacity and determination, she pushed herself to gain education and is now a rather accomplished counselor, radio presenter and president of a local youth volunteer organization.

There's also Piroska Bisits Bullen, a public health specialist who taught us how research and data study can lead us to make better decisions!

I also met and befriended a math wiz who represented Cambodia in the world math olympiad. He wrote 5 books starting when he was just 15 and at 22, is now head of a multi-million dollar company which specializes in gold trade.Saing Darareaksmey is truly a young but fiery dragon.

Then there's HRH Princess Norodom Soma, niece of the king of Cambodia who broke all of my stereotypes of all princesses and royalties. A full time journalist and writer, Princess Soma and her family were one of the first political evacuees who moved to the US during the war. Now permanently back in the kingdom, she brought with her a sense of freedom and individuality that sets her apart form any royal you would encounter. 

While any princess in their right mind would be comfortable in a caravan of luxury cars swarmed by bodyguards, Princess Soma rides a simple tuktuk everyday. Yup, not even a taxi!

with Sovathana Nana, her boyfriend, Princess Soma and Dararaksmeay

But I will always remember her for walking into the TEDx after party, a bit late, because she had to go home after the event to work and answer emails. I just ordered 3 fish mini-burgers at the FCC rooftop and upon seeing her, she came up and asked me where the food was. Told her that the open bar was over a few minutes ago. She let out a big sigh and said "Too bad, I'm starving!"

So out of courtesy, I offered her my remaining 2 burgers but she asked "Are you sure???".

"Oh yes, please help yourself to these" 

She then grabbed one and offered her assistant the other one. 

Little did she know that I instantly became her biggest fan.

The princess ate my fish burgers and that was probably the most amazing yet surreal experience I had ever encountered at TEDx Phnom Penh and taught me a valuable lesson that royalties are still mortals like us and she is probably the only one brave enough to let everybody know.

Oh, and the three photos above were taken with her camera which she emailed to me right after the event.

Smiling Albino interview

Here's the podcast of an interview I did with Smiling Albino co-founder Scott Coates on how to take better travel photos. Smiling Albino is a unique travel specialist which has been on the forefront of bespoke travel. I have been fortunate enough to be a photographic guide for their guests and this interview was one of their ways to turn photography into an important tool in travel.

http://smilingalbino.podbean.com/2011/09/04/loven-ramos-on-how-to-take-better-travel-photos/

Raffles School Interview

Had a chance to meet young writers and poets from the Raffles Institution in Singapore when they visited Angkor recently. We had some interesting discussion on how it is to be involved in literature in a country like Cambodia where majority of their learned individuals have been purged by a very oppressive regime just a couple of decades ago.

Here's a link to their blog after that insightful evening...

http://rira2011.wordpress.com/talk-with-mr-ramos/

circles

a visual poem

by loven ramos

new web baby

Having my macbook crash into oblivion last week gave me so much freedom to let loose of my usual twitter and facebook routine and go back to other pursuits that needed a little lovin' too - this blog for one, and then our official website for 1961!

Created with a new blog-based format by my ex-girlfriend (a.k.a. spoolartist's wife), the new website is more user friendly, updated and packed with goodies from events, new promotions, exhibitions, insights and all possible things that rock our world here.

So click away on the link: www.the1961.com 

Epic weddings and fake Rolexes

Last week was whirlwind of double weddings and pre nup shoots. I had this particular couple who drove all the way from Poipet, near the Thai border who tried several photographers but somehow, couldn't get the drama they wanted on their photos. 

So when they met me, they only had one request... for their photos to look epic and cinematic... as if they have stepped into a film set. They liked the look of the classic photos of yore.

So here's what we did for them... 

Black and white. It never gets old.

 This didn't actually start well at first. Call time for us was 4 am, because they wanted sunrise shots but they didn't show up until 7 in the morning. I guess they had the same Rolex watch supplier as Lady Gaga. I was a little pissed (you know me and waking up early!) but as soon as the shoot started rolling, the fun began.

Shooting in Angkor Wat is a moment in itself.

The groom turned into my assistant director. He was really excited with all this and ended up coaching his bride-to-be on all the proper poses and smiles.

What was originally a 4 hour shoot turned into a 12 hour production! After each session, they would come back and say... "we loved it... let's do more." 

So what was supposed to be a simple shoot in the temples almost turned into a citywide thing. But at the end of the day, we all went home very happy.