One Shoot, One Meal” Uniting Photographers for a Cause

Two succeeding powerful calamities struck the Philippines recently. On Oct 15, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in the island province of Bohol triggering a massive destruction of structures to the province and its neighboring Central Visayan provinces, particularly Cebu. Hundreds died and thousands were displaced. Just a few weeks passed as the survivors in Bohol were still copping at the aftermath of the tremor, on November 7, a deadly typhoon named Yolanda, international codename Haiyan devastated Central Philippines bringing the Visayan island provinces of Panay, Samar and Leyte to its knees. The city of Tacloban in Leyte and the town of Guian in Eastern Samar where it made its first landfall was virtually wiped out. It is the deadliest typhoon ever recorded in the Philippines. According to the United Nations, 11 million people were affected, at the latest, 5, 632 died and 1,759 missing. 

Because of the massive destruction of the typhoon, and the mishandling of the Philippine government to the disaster, it triggered an international call for help as foreign news media beamed to the world the miserable conditions of the survivors. Massive local and international aids to the Philippines were mobilized. 

Ahead of this , Global Pikons Japan, a group of amateur and professional photographers in Japan were already planning a charity event for the survivors of earthquake in Bohol. Global Pikons (acronym for Pinoy Nikon Canon Pentax Sony Shooters) is a worldwide organization of photographers founded in 2011 by Mr Joel Dollaga Jr. of San Francisco California in USA. It has 6,878 members worldwide with other affiliates in The Philippines and Middle East. Global Pikons Japan, an affiliate chapter in Japan was founded by Mr Randy Yonaha of Ibaraki ken in 2012 with almost 250 members in Japan. 

 "ONE SHOOT ONE MEAL Photo-walk for a Cause" was originally conceptualized by Mr. Randy Yonaha for the survivors of Bohol earthquake with only the participation of club members. The venue was the sprawling Ueno Park with a photo-walk from the park to Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. But because of the simultaneous occurrence of the two disasters and the severity of typhoon Yolanda, Mr Yonaha with the approval of the administrators of Global Pikons Japan decided to level up the charity event in a grand scale. Other world affiliate groups follow suits and simultaneously it was done worldwide. A Facebook account was created, inviting not only photographers, but Filipino friends and relatives in Kanto area as well, to give their support. 
The response was overwhelming, more than a hundred people committed to attend. To avoid problems during the photo-walk, some member photographers were asked to volunteer as facilitators. Even before the event day was held, outpouring of donations and pledges were already coming in, advance donations were sent through bank transfers from as far as Nagano, Oita, Shimane and Saitama prefectures. 

The event day was a lift of spirit with the organizers. Various photographers from Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Germany, USA, Brazil and Japan came. Hair and makeup artists from Philippines, Brazil and Peru offered their free services. Nine beautiful models free of charges gave their best poses and smiles all for their support of the victims of the two tragedies. Vice Consul Attorney Andrea Lescano from the Philippine Embassy was there to support and offered her donation. Friends and relatives came as well bringing their collections donated by other friends. The heartwarming incident was the participation of the curious Japanese people in the park when upon learning that it was done to help the survivors of typhoon Yolanda, they eagerly offered to donate cash, some as ¥10,000.

 
The event was capped with a silent prayer offering to the victims who perished and the survivors who are still suffering. A collection of ¥364,500 was generated in the event with pledges still coming in. An amount of ¥250,000 was already sent to the Philippines and will be slated for buying medicines. The remaining amount will be send to a group in Bohol for victims feeding programs and relief goods distribution this Christmas. 

Because of success of the project, the photographer administrators of Global Pikons Japan decided to made the project "ONE SHOOT, ONE MEAL" its signature campaign for fund raising purposes for a continuing support to our countrymen who are in dire need of help. 
A heartfelt thanks goes to all who in any way gave their support to the success of ONE SHOOT, ONE MEAL. 
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

GLOBAL PIKONS JAPAN