Eastern Samar students pose for first graduation photos

SOUVENIR Members of Borongan Digital Photography Forum take photos of graduating elementary pupils from two of the most remote towns in Eastern Samar. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Philippines — At least 350 students in two of the most remote towns in Eastern Samar now have something to remember their grade school life.

A group of photographers conducted photo shoots for these pupils from nine public elementary schools before their graduation in April.

Vienna Antoniette Orque, 12, from Arteche Central School, in Arteche town, was grateful to Borongan Digital Photography Forum (BDPF), a group of professional and hobbyist photographers from Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

First chance She said it was the first time that graduating students of their school got the chance to have a graduation photo.

“[We] will treasure this moment. This will serve as our souvenir that we can keep until we get old,” she said.

Miguel Veloso, one of the administrators of BDPF, said it was the first time that the group conducted such an activity, using their own money and resources.

Veloso said their group, formed in 2012 with 15 members, decided to hold a photoshoot in order to provide mementos for these students who live in remote and poor villages.