Adit Gomez : Against All Odds

Coming from a family who runs a printing and signage business, she was exposed to the world of media at an early age. She was taught Photoshop even before she learned how to take pictures with a camera. She decided to major in Tourism in college but eventually shifted to a Multimedia Technology course, not exactly because that's her area of interest all along, but because of a drastic change of circumstance.

During her second year in college, she was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects bones and tissues. After it was determined that it was already in Stage 4, doctors gave her no more than 5 years to live. As she couldn't travel, she decided to change courses and alter her diet and lifestyle altogether, embracing an all-natural method to combat her affliction.

Today, eight years after her diagnosis, she is living life to the fullest. She still maintains a strict diet while managing her condition but she feels as healthy as ever, looking forward to a future full of promise. A future that is also full of positivity and creativity, with photography a big source of her inspiration.

We're all blessed to introduce you to Adit Gomez, our featured Focus photographer of the month.

What do you remember about the first time you used a camera?
A : Elementary days. Na-amaze ako. Parang ayoko na siya bitawan. Gusto ko picture-an lahat. Kahit ano lang hanggang ma-lowbatt, hahaha.

So when did you realize that you wanted to pursue photography?
A : First year college. Noong nakakita ako ng mga magagandang photographs online. Sabi ko, gusto ko din matutunan 'yung ganun. Click lang kasi ako nang click noon. Wala pa akong alam sa mga settings back then.

How would you define photography?
A : Photography is an art and a way of preserving memories and capturing life's precious moments.

What do you enjoy shooting most?
A: Portraits! Gusto ko kasi 'yung naka-capture ko 'yung at-the-moment na emotion nung subject. Mostly, puro pagent contestants 'yung na-shoot ko recently. Natutuwa ako kapag nakukuhanan ko silang nakangiti pa rin kahit nandun 'yung kaba at pagod nila.

What's your most memorable photo?
A : So far, 'yung third attempt ko mag-shoot ng star trails last year. Around 10 PM ako nag-start then natapos mga 2 AM na. Memorable sa akin 'yun kasi ako lang mag-isa sa rooftop namin. 'Di ako sanay lumabas sa kwarto ng ganung oras dati kasi takot ako, hahaha. Pero para sa star trail ginawa ko 'yun and happy ako sa naging output. At dahil din dun, hindi na ako natatakot lumabas mag-isa kahit anong oras. Hahaha. (Photo shown above)

What do you consider is your best trait as an artist or photographer?
A : Siguro 'yung hindi ko paggi-give up as an artist. Mapapagod at magpapahinga lang ako minsan pero I will never quit on making art. Gusto ko nga sya i-priority talaga next year. Okay, so sinabi ko na, kaya kailangan panindigan. Hahaha.

 
Which area of photography do you think you need to improve on?
A : Lahat? Hahaha. Wala pa kasi akong masabing, "ah magaling ako sa area na 'to, okay ako dito." Para sa akin, ang dami ko pang kailangang matutunan at aralin. Learning is a never-ending process. Tsaka goal ko din 'yung maka -10,000 worst photographs at 10,000 favorite shots.

What has been the most unforgettable photography moment you've had?
A: I think 'yung nagka-media pass kami with Focus sa concert ng Parokya ni Edgar. Tapos may kuha ako kay Chito na sobrang lapit. Nakatingala lang ako sa kanya habang kumakanta siya. Literal na abot-kamay ko lang siya. Fan girl! (Photo shown below)

Any photographer you look up to?
A : Alen Palander! Sobrang solid lagi ng mga shoots at video niya, pinag-isipan at hindi basta pitik at post lang. Gusto ko din 'yung pagiging consistent niya sa kulay at professionalism niya sa bawat post nya. Bonus na din 'yung kamukha niya ang ex ko na si Zac Efron, hahaha!

What would be your dream subject or project to shoot?
A : My mom as the subject tapos sa Top 10 world's best travel destinations para sa akin.

What remains in your photography bucket list?
A: Aerial and underwater photography, shoot wildlife sa South Africa, tapos northern lights. Tsaka syempre, own my dream camera.

What's your dream camera, by the way?
A : Sony Alpha a7 III. Hahaha.

If you knew then what you know now, you would....?
A : Kung alam ko lang na masaya sumali at madaming matututunan sa Focus Bulacan, matagal na ako sumali. More than a year of being a member, ang dami ko na agad na-experience i-shoot dahil sa Focus, what more pa kung from the start member na ako di ba? Hahaha.

What advice could you give to Focus followers and aspiring photographers?
A : Kapag feeling mo hindi pa maganda ang mga kuha mo, keep on shooting. Kapag feeling mo naaral mo na lahat, maganda at perfect na 'yung mga kuha mo, keep on shooting pa rin! Kasi tama ka, feeling mo lang 'yun! May igaganda pa 'yan. Always keep on shooting. Keep on learning!

Adit's favorites (Click thumbnails to view photos in full)

Did photography play a role in your battle with the Big C?
A : Isa siya sa mga naging outlet ko. Nagpaka-busy ako, especially with art, para ma-occupy ang isip ko. Kasi kung wala akong gagawin, baka kung anu-ano ang maisip ko with my condition. I also listened to podcasts about positivity and self-help. 'Yun ang hilig ko gawin together with art and photography.

Looking back on your early struggles, and now that you've overcome them and manage your condition, what's your greatest realization?
A : Buti na lang talaga positive person ako bago pa ako magkasakit. I never pitied myself. Once lang ako nag-question na "bakit ako?". Pero mabilis ko rin na-realize and natanggap. Kung time ko na, time ko na. Hindi ako takot mawala dahil na rin sa faith ko. 'Yung time na 'yun, I don't look at it as negative. I consider myself blessed dahil malakas pa rin ako.

What was your reaction when so many people responded and even messaged you after you shared your story on Facebook?
A : Thankful ako na naging source of inspiration 'yung story ko when I shared it on Facebook. Kahit mga hindi ko kilala, nagulat ako nag-message sa akin. 'Yun talaga ang purpose ko kaya ko pinost. Gusto kong maging testimony 'yung nangyari sa akin.

After surviving probably the toughest challenge she has experienced, life goes on for Adit. She accepts design and print projects thru Adit Works while keeping her options and calendar open for different kinds of media-related bookings, including stints as resource speaker for computer-related topics. At the time of this posting, she's serving in a week-long digital literacy campaign of the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Life has a way of rewarding those who never quit. Especially those who doesn't take anything for granted.

If she has an advice for all of us, it's probably this : "Dapat you take everyday as a blessing. May sakit ka man o wala."

Words of wisdom. From a beautiful story of faith and survival.

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