Arion’s Photography

Arion’s Photography Capturing moments with meaning. Portraits. Stories.

Souls.

📍 Tapaz, Capiz | 📸 Shot on iPhone | 🎯 Vision over gear

Because the right eye sees more than the most expensive lens.

Every man stands between them — the sacred and the strategic, the eternal and the temporal. One path demands surrender, ...
29/10/2025

Every man stands between them — the sacred and the strategic, the eternal and the temporal.

One path demands surrender, humility, and faith in things unseen.

The other demands calculation, control, and mastery over the seen.

The world seduces you with promises of dominion — of wealth, of status, of power that bends others to your will.

It whispers, ‘Rule now, repent later.’

And for a time, it works. You rise, you command, you win.

Yet the higher you ascend, the heavier the crown becomes, and the more silent your spirit grows.

The Word, on the other hand, speaks in a quieter voice — one the proud seldom hear.

It does not promise thrones, but peace. Not applause, but eternity.

It builds its empire not in palaces of men, but in the hearts of those who obey.

So the question remains — not of skill, but of worth.

Not of how high you can climb, but what you lose on the way up. For as it is written:

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Power without peace is torment.

Victory without virtue is ruin.

And the soul — once traded — is never bought back at any price.

Choose your path.

For both lead to kingdoms — but only one lasts forever.

Sometimes, all it takes is a little light, a little clarity — and you start seeing yourself differently. ✨This photo isn...
22/10/2025

Sometimes, all it takes is a little light, a little clarity — and you start seeing yourself differently. ✨

This photo isn’t about filters or perfection. It’s about bringing out what’s already there — the real you, just seen in a better light.
It’s amazing what a simple photo can do when it reflects who you truly are.

📸 If you’ve ever wished to see yourself this way, I might be able to help you too.

May mga tao na sa katahimikan ng kanilang paglalakbay, natutong magbago—hindi dahil sila’y mali, kundi dahil sila’y patu...
20/09/2025

May mga tao na sa katahimikan ng kanilang paglalakbay, natutong magbago—hindi dahil sila’y mali, kundi dahil sila’y patuloy na hinuhubog ng Diyos. At sa bawat pagbabago, may inspirasyong naiiwan: na ang bukas ay laging puwedeng maging mas mabuti kaysa kahapon.

When people ask me why I chose cacao farming, I always smile — because the answer is morethan just money or crops. For m...
12/07/2025

When people ask me why I chose cacao farming, I always smile — because the answer is more
than just money or crops. For me, cacao farming is a calling. It’s a mission. It’s a way to leave
behind something meaningful, not just for my family, but for my fellow farmers, for Panay Island,
and for the next generation.

Back in 2017, I didn’t know much about cacao. All I knew was that I saw a few cacao seedlings
at Robinsons in Iloilo and something inside me clicked. I felt curious, inspired, and somehow
called. So I brought those seedlings home to Tapaz, Capiz — and that’s how my journey began.

At first, I was just like many others — planting with hope but without proper guidance. I couldn’t
find the right information. I was eager to learn, but I didn’t know where to turn. That’s when I
decided to seek help from the Provincial Agricultural Office and later joined cacao seminars and
training, even flying to Davao just to gain proper knowledge. From there, everything changed. I
began to understand cacao not just as a crop — but as a way of life.

Cacao is a patient man’s crop. It doesn’t give results overnight. But once it grows, it keeps on
giving. It’s sustainable. It’s resilient. And it can be grown even in small backyards or abandoned
farmlands. That’s why I always say: cacao can be an answer for struggling farmers. It doesn’t
replace rice or corn — it gives you another path.
You can intercrop it with bananas, coconuts, or even root crops. It improves the soil. It gives
farmers another way to earn without relying only on traditional farming. It gives them hope. I’ve
seen it with my own eyes — lives slowly changing, families starting to believe again.

But cacao farming isn’t just about planting. It’s about commitment. It’s about learning. It’s about
taking care of each tree like it’s part of your own family. That’s why I decided to start sharing
what I’ve learned — not to keep it for myself, but to pass it on. I started teaching others through
trainings, videos, and now, this book. - Bayani ng Cacao Farming

The right eye sees more than the most expensive lens. It’s not about what you hold — it’s how you see, how you feel, and...
29/06/2025

The right eye sees more than the most expensive lens.

It’s not about what you hold — it’s how you see, how you feel, and what you create.

|

In the beautiful town of Tapaz, Capiz, lived a skilled carpenter named Nono. Known throughout the town for his craftsman...
28/06/2025

In the beautiful town of Tapaz, Capiz, lived a skilled carpenter named Nono. Known throughout the town for his craftsmanship, Nono worked with a passion and dedication that inspired everyone around him.

Nono's days began with the first light of dawn. He would open the doors to his workshop, a modest yet sturdy structure filled with the scent of freshly cut wood and the rhythmic sound of his tools. His back was straight, his hands steady, and his eyes keen as ever.

One bright morning, a young boy named Luis wandered into Nono's workshop. Luis was mesmerized by the intricate furniture and wooden toys scattered around the shop. He watched in awe as Nono skillfully transformed a rough piece of mahogany into a beautiful chair.

"Manong Nono," Luis began hesitantly, "how did you learn to do all this?"

Nono paused, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "Ah, Luis, I learned from my father, who learned from his father before him. It's been our family's craft for generations. Each piece of wood has its own story, its own life. My job is to bring that story to life."

Luis's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Can you teach me, Nono? I want to learn to make things like you do."

Nono nodded thoughtfully. "Of course, my boy. But remember, carpentry is not just about building things. It’s about patience, precision, and love for the craft."

From that day on, Luis became Nono's apprentice. The old carpenter taught him not only the technical skills but also the values that came with the craft. Nono's lessons were filled with wisdom, teaching Luis the importance of hard work, perseverance, and respect for nature.

As the years passed, Luis grew into a skilled carpenter under Nono's guidance. The townsfolk noticed the transformation, and soon, both Nono and Luis were known for their beautiful creations. The small workshop became a place where stories were shared, and life lessons were learned.

One evening, as the sun set behind the hills of Tapaz, Nono sat with Luis outside the workshop. The old carpenter's eyes were tired, but there was a contented smile on his face. "Luis, I am grateful to see you grow and carry on our craft. Remember, every piece you create is a part of you, a part of our legacy."

Luis nodded, gratitude shining in his eyes. "I promise, Nono. I will make you proud."

Today, Nono continues to work in his beloved workshop, his hands as skilled as ever. He and Luis, now a master carpenter in his own right, create beautiful pieces that adorn many homes in Tapaz. The townspeople still speak of Nono with fondness, his name forever etched in the heart of Tapaz.

And so, the legacy of Nono, the beloved carpenter, lives on through his own hands and those of his apprentice, in every piece of wood that is carefully crafted, and in the stories told by the people of Tapaz.

📷 Arion Gerardino

Field Note – Manzanillo, Mexico (2023)I was on duty when I saw her — focused, working, steady. A stevedore handling cont...
27/06/2025

Field Note – Manzanillo, Mexico (2023)

I was on duty when I saw her — focused, working, steady. A stevedore handling container operations on the port. She looked busy. Said no at first. Company policy, maybe just hesitation.

But I waited. Watched the moment. Respected the space.

Later, she agreed.

I took one photo. Just one frame.
Not posed. Not planned.
Just a real person, in her element — unaware of how striking that moment would become.

Her name is Ana Martinez.
And this is one of the most honest portraits I’ve taken.

— Arion Gerardino

“Kapitan ka ba sa barko? Huwag mong pangarapin makasama ang tatlong ’to.”Hindi ito post para magyabang. Hindi rin ito tu...
27/06/2025

“Kapitan ka ba sa barko? Huwag mong pangarapin makasama ang tatlong ’to.”

Hindi ito post para magyabang. Hindi rin ito tungkol sa pag-aasta, sa kayabangan, o sa pagiging siga. Pero kung totoo lang ang pag-uusapan — ang mundo ay hindi laging makatao para sa mga taong tahimik, marunong rumespeto, o ayaw ng gulo.
Sa barko man o sa lupa, sa trabaho man o sa personal, kapag hindi ka marunong manindigan, kapag palagi kang “oo”, kapag takot kang umangal kahit mali na — ikaw ang unang maaapakan.

Taong 2023, Ensenada, Mexico. Isa lang ito sa mga port na pinuntahan namin, pero hindi ito basta-basta ordinaryong araw. Habang naghihintay ng bus, dala ko lang ang iPhone ko. Wala akong mamahaling camera. Pero ang kuha ko, hindi lang litrato — kuwento ito ng mga taong hindi basta-basta.

Kasama ko noon sina Bosun at Chief Cook — mga taong hindi lang basta malakas ang katawan, kundi matibay ang prinsipyo, diretso ang paninindigan, at buo ang respeto sa sarili.
Hindi sila sip-sip sa opisyal. Hindi sila sunud-sunuran. Hindi rin sila palamura o abusado. Pero kapag may mali — tinutuwid nila. Kapag may inaapi — pinagtatanggol nila.

Sa totoo lang, maraming Bosun at Chief Cook ang iniisip na ang tanging paraan para ‘gumaan ang buhay’ sa barko ay ang maging paborito ng opisyal, sumunod kahit mali, at lumunok ng dangal. Pero hindi sila gano’n.
At dahil sila ang kasama ko, hindi rin ako gano’n.

Ako ang AB. Pero hindi ako puwedeng apihin. Hindi ako puwedeng paikutin.
Bakit? Dahil alam kong may kasama akong hindi ako pababayaan. At dahil kahit ako lang mag-isa — kaya kong lumaban, basta tama.

Kaya nga sa mga kapwa ko seafarer, o kahit sinong manggagawa — ito ang paalala: Huwag matakot magsalita. Huwag matakot tumanggi. Huwag matakot manindigan. Hindi kailangan maging bastos para ipaglaban ang karapatan mo. Kailangan mo lang ng tapang — at minsan, sapat na ang tatlong taong totoo para maging matatag ka.

Hindi ko ito sinasabi para manghamak ng opisyal, o ng ibang lahi. May mga opisyal na marunong rumespeto. May mga dayuhan na may malasakit. At sila, rumerespeto rin kami. Pero kung gusto mo ng respeto, marunong ka rin dapat rumespeto sa iba — anuman ang posisyon nila.

Ang mga larawang ito ay hindi lang portrait.
Ito ay paalala.

Na kahit saan ka makarating — Mexico man o Pilipinas, barko man o lupa —
kapag alam mo ang prinsipyo mo, kapag buo ang loob mo, at kapag totoo ang mga kasama mo — hindi ka matitinag.

Address

Roosevelt
Tapaz
5814

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Arion’s Photography posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share