With Focus Bulacan getting bigger than ever, the task of leading the club has become more challenging. With our membership roll now exceeding 90 affiliate photographers and continuous activity defining our status as Bulacan's foremost photography organization, the Leadership Committee has decided to recruit an additional officer into its ranks. This 2016, fifteen officers comprise the Leadership Committee, with a new subcommittee and a minor reshuffling of roles.

Finance Committee
Officer : Kat Centeno (same as 2015)
The Finance Committee shall safeguard and oversee the Club’s financial resources, with the power to collect membership dues, and to execute purchases and payments deemed in accordance with the Club’s approved activities.

Membership Committee
Officer : Noel Crisostomo (same as 2015)
The Membership Committee shall oversee the Club’s internal affairs regarding members and applicants. This shall include monitoring of members’ compliance with by-laws and Club requirements.

Competition Committee
Officers : Amen Alcoriza (new role) and Erika Santos (former Membership officer)
The Competition Committee shall oversee any and all contests or competition that the Club will undertake. This includes, but not limited to, establishing rules and guidelines for contests, organizing entries, recording results, and finding the best ways to determine winners.

External Affairs Committee
Officers : Ejay Caluag (same as 2015) and Jer Sandel (former Competition officer)
The External Affairs Committee shall be responsible for communication with other organizations and entities that the Club may have to work with for the Club’s interests.

Logistics Committee (formerly called Activities Committee)
Officers : Julius Calzo, Chi Lopez, Mhoie Mendoza, Kath Tuazon, Alih Viaje (all same as 2015), Gilbert Fajardo (new officer)
The Logistics Committee shall oversee the Club’s programs and activities. This includes, but not limited to, planning, organizing, and supervising PhotoMeets, events, and other official activities.

Auxiliary Committee
Officers : Allan Cruz (former Activities officer), MJ Cruz (former External officer), Jinn Figueroa (former Finance officer)
The Auxiliary Committee shall provide support for the Club's main events or projects, such as exhibits, annual parties, and other activities that are larger in scale compared to monthly PhotoMeets.

The Leadership Committee formally welcomes into its fold the newest Focus Bulacan officer, Gilbert Fajardo. A professional events photographer who hails from Sta. Maria town, Gilbert is a pioneer member of Focus and one of the more responsible members in the organization.

We asked Gilbert a few questions about his new role as Focus Bulacan Logistics Officer.

What was your reaction when you were asked to become a Focus officer?
G : At first siyempre nagulat, pero masaya at napili ako na maging officer. Its my pleasure! Una ko agad tinanong sarili ko kung deserving ba ako maging officer. Haha.

What do you think could you bring to to help the team?
G : Ideas or new concept sa mga photomeet. Although mahirap talaga mag-isip ng bago pero mas maganda talaga 'yung hindi pa natin nagagawa or na-try.

What would be the biggest challenge for you in being an officer?
G : Ang nakikita kong challenge siguro sa akin ay attitude. Kung dati approachable, dapat mas lalong maging
approachable sa mga members. Ang pagiging officer ay hindi lang sa posisyon, kundi sa pagiging mabuting halimbawa na din sa mga members.

What's your dream or wish for Focus?
G : More years to come. Dumami pa lalo ang members natin. Makapag-exibit tayo ng photos not only in Bulacan, perhaps maipagmalaki natin ang mga photos ng Bulacan sa ibang lugar.

What's your message for Focus members and followers?
G : Sa lahat ng  members, ituloy lang po natin ang nasimulan po  natin sa Focus. Aminado ako sa sarili ko, noong una wala talaga ako magandang output sa mga photos ko. I just keep attending ang mga photomeets natin. Madaming members ang nagturo sa akin and little by little nakita ko improvement ko sa mga photos. Sa bawat photomeet may nauuwi akong bagong ideas and style. Ipagpatuloy lang din natin ang pagkakaron ng magandang samahan. Para sa akin mas importante ang attitude than skills, pwede kasi natin matutunan ang skills pero ang attitude mahirap pag-aralan. Mabuhay tayong lahat mga ka-Focus! Gob bless!

With a full complement of responsible officers leading the way, expect bigger and more exciting things for Focus Bulacan this 2016. Stay tuned and enjoy the ride!

The Focus Universe (it's an entity we just made up for this announcement, don't worry folks we're only trying to spice things up) expands further as it now encompasses Galaxy January 2016 (again, folks, totally made up), made up of 7 planets, varying in size, color, and gravity pull (now where did that come from?!).

Martians, Neptunians, Mercurians, and all the other beings out there, we present you Batch January 2016 of official Focus members (cue the Imperial March music) :

• VINCENT CAPIRAL
• MON JUAN
• JR LOPEZ
• KATH NICOMEDES
• JOEY RAMOS
• JUVY SANTIAGO
• MARK SIMON

Congratulations and welcome to the team! You have been responsible applicants, now we ask you to become responsible members. May you keep up the good showing that convinced the Membership Committee that you are deserving to be Focus Bulacan official members. (We like your chances.)

Here's a visual introduction to our new members :

Vincent, Mon, JR, Kath, Joey, Juvy, and Mark... cheers! See you soon!

Next batch of approved members will be on July 2016.