John McEnroe

John McEnroe of the U.S. kisses the net during an exhibition match against Bjorn Borg of Sweden in Kuala Lumpur November 18, 2008.

John McEnroe of the U.S. jumps over a board during an exhibition match against Bjorn Borg of Sweden in Kuala Lumpur November 18, 2008.

John McEnroe of the U.S. reacts during an exhibition match against Bjorn Borg of Sweden in Kuala Lumpur November 18, 2008.

John McEnroe of the U.S. looks up during an exhibition match against Bjorn Borg of Sweden in Kuala Lumpur November 18, 2008.

John McEnroe of the U.S. returns a shot to Bjorn Borg of Sweden during an exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur November 18, 2008.

SHOWDOWN

Tennis players Bjorn Borg (L) of Sweden talks to James Blake of U.S. after a news conference in Kuala Lumpur November 17, 2008.

Tennis players from left to right, John McEnroe, and James Blake of U.S., Roger Federer of Switzerland and Bjorn Borg of Sweden pose infront of Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur November 17, 2008.

Newsweek JAN 2001

I was digging into boxes of my old books and magazine and guess what…..I found this old NEWSWEEK mag dated January 29, 2001 with cover picture of Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo being sworn in as the president at EDSA shrine after “People Power 11″ that bring down Joseph Estrada. It was at the same place 15 years earlier where a series of massive protests have toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos and propelled Corazon Aquino to power.

As for me, I still remember that Saturday afternoon, after days of covering the protests, I was sent to cover the swearing in of the new president. As there were hundreds of thousand of people on the streets, all the public transport was basically halted and I walked to EDSA shrine for miles to be there to be part of the history in the making. Every now and then i stopped to get a couples of shot  along the way of people dancing on the streets and shouting slogan.  After hours of walking at last I reached the site and it was packed with people at every corner and junction. Oh dear, I have to be there for whatever it takes. I pushed my way through the crowd and finally I managed to get a positon where I can get a clear shot of the event.

Funny thing is, to take pictures is easy if you’re at the right place at the right time. So it was bang..bang…bang….non stop from my camera as Arroyo takes the stage. I can’t remember how many frame all together but it was a lot cause i don’t want to miss anything.

It was satisfying when your hardwork paid off. My picture of Arroyo waving to the crowd after swearing in as the President was used as cover for that week really make my trip to Manila worthwhile.