As Focus Bulacan starts its sixth year of existence and its membership roll reaches a hundred, the club also embarks on a transition of sorts. A new era has dawned with founding officers slowly but surely passing the torch to a fresh batch of leaders. Last year's Competition Officer and Focus Bulacan co-founder Jer Sandel has relinquished his leadership duties altogether starting 2019, preferring to focus on content creation for the club's social media accounts. Erstwhile Logistics Officer Amen Alcoriza also has taken a break for personal reasons.

In their place are the very capable tandem of Jing Calonge and Francesca Bengco who will handle Competition and Membership, respectively. Both are immersed in their careers (Jing is an environmental scientist while Francesca is a multimedia artist and a professional photographer on her own) but have courageously accepted the challenge of helping lead Focus Bulacan. Their willingness and perspective are very welcome boosts to the team of officers. Of course, there to guide them are the returning officers who have pledged to stay on to steer the ship, so to speak.

The success of Focus Bulacan is contingent on the efforts of the whole club - the initiatives and progressive planning of the officers, plus the active reaction of members. The officers need the members' participation while the members need the officers' direction. It's a synergy that Focus Bulacan has fortunately achieved in its start-up years, and one that the new era of officers are determined to sustain... and even surpass.

The Logistics Committee oversees the club’s projects and activities. This includes, but not limited to, planning, organizing, and supervising photomeets, exhibits, events, and other official activities.

The Membership Committee oversees the club’s internal affairs regarding members and applicants. This includes monitoring of members’ compliance with by-laws and membership-retention requirements, and of applicants' fulfillment of requirements for approval for official membership.

The Finance Officer safeguards and oversees the club’s financial resources, with the power to collect membership dues (in tandem with the Membership Committee), and to execute purchases and payments deemed in accordance with the club’s approved activities.

 The Competition Officer oversees 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.

Our Competition Officer for 2019 is Jing Calonge, also a new member of the team. We also thank her for taking on the responsibility of setting the course for Focus Bulacan's competition for this year.

The Externals Committee is responsible for communication with other organizations and entities that the club may have to work with for the club’s interests.

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.

It's a long year to go but we are confident our 2019 Officers will exceed expectations. Our salute and thanks!

For the first time in our club's history, we have exceeded 100 members. Welcome to the team and welcome to the Focus family, Batch 12!

Congratulations for fulfilling participation requirements and getting approval as new official members. We look forward to your company and creative output in the months (and hopefully years) to come. We're excited to see you grow as photographers. Let's enjoy the journey together.

Congratulations, Batch January 2019! Let's shoot soon!

• Raymond Custodio
• Jezer Dionisio
• Edsam Feliciano
• Apple Gutierrez
• Omac Principio
• Leo Sarmiento

Below is a visual introduction to our newest members :