If you want to talk about Carlito, ask his wife, his friends and his family, and they will tell you everything you need to know about him.

For example, his wife's colleague, Ms. Janet T. Lagua, described Carlito as straightforward and a no-nonsense person. The best man of his wedding, Dr. Erwin T. Lim, who is also a photography buff, said that he is frank, precise and reliable. His father said that Carlito is a responsible son. His wife, Joyce, fondly referred to him as her darling VC because he looks like a “Vietcong," so she said. And I, when asked what can I say about Carlito, I... I rolled my eyes upward and heaved a long-suffering sigh. That said it all.

But when it comes to his skills in photography, we all said the same thing: clear, sharp and beautiful.

I have known Carlito way back in the early eighties. He was just starting to hone his skills then and all he could talk was photography. He would use me as a guinea pig for portraits. Afterwards, we would discuss the pictures. Which was the best angle? Too many shadows! The pose was too stiff and so on and on. He would learn from his mistake and applied them again in our next photoshoots until he got the right angle and the right look that captured my individuality.

That is how he started.

Carlito has not changed. If he is not satisfied with the results, he would ask his client to pose again and again until he gets that right shot. In a wedding shoot, he requires the bride to do a try-out session on hair and make up. Then, they would do a preliminary shoot to check which angle, which hair style and make up are best for her.

That is how precise he is.

Afraid of heights, he would climb the mountain if only to get the perfect view. A late riser, he would wake up early in the morning just to take that perfect shot at the sunrise. Rain or shine, he would be there. I have never known him to let anybody down. Not selfish at all, he would not hesitate to share his experience and knowledge about photography. He had been the dynamic force behind Images Camera Club since it was formed in 1984.

That is how passionate he is.

When asked why he loves photography so much, Carlito has this to say:

"Photography fascinated me ever since I was a teenager. I was fascinated by the camera's ability to capture a moment, a scenery, and yes, even emotions, on paper. But it was the practical side of me that turned my passion into my craft. And I have no regrets ever since. I have a job and I enjoy doing it. What more can I ask?”

Carlito So or KK or “Kangkang?” It's the same thing. Precise and reliable photography.

By: Emily T. Oquias