I recently attended the annual party that Mr. Jo Avila hosts for all his previous students and volunteer assistants (VAs).  During my early photography years, I have been privileged enough to be both. And since Jo started the tradition, I’ve always looked forward to the once-a-year gathering where I get to see the old and ever growing number of new faces.

One of the regular activities from Jo’s party is the exchanging of signed photo prints. Attendees are requested to bring a personal photograph that recipients could feel proud of displaying. And boy, did I get one this year!

The photo above is now part of my prized collection. It’s a personal photograph taken by Mr. Jon Aguirre. “Jonix” as I still often call him, is one of the few underwater photographers whose work I simply admire.

This type of photography is something I’ve always wanted to do. Exploring the vastness of beauty… the almost limitless interesting subjects… (sigh)… I can only imagine. Unfortunately, I don’t have both the expensive gear or necessary scuba diving skills to get into it.

So just imagine how wide my smile was when I got to go home that night with the picture above.

You can see more of Jon’s underwater work at these links:
Anilao – Wide Angle
Nudibranchs
Anilao – May (1)
Anilao – May (2)
Cabilao