SPOTLIGHT: Noli Gabilo

One of a Kind and On Top of The Game

By Armi Yam

Long before Batanes became a byword among urbanites as a must-see travel destination and a photographer’s dream shoot location, no one knows Batanes better than Noli Gabilo – a distinguished photographer, a well published artist, a remarkable photo safari leader, a proud Ivatan and a trailblazing friend and native of the islands.

Born on August 13, 1961 on the island of Sabtang, Batanes, Arnulfo Conde Gabilo, Noli as we call him, recalls that life was ‘hard’ while he was growing up. “There was no running water then,” Noli remembers, and he had to go fetch water from the dug up well to fill up jars and drums for household use.

Waking up at 4:00 a.m. to go pasture the cows was harder during the ‘ber’ months and notably January and February, when the weather is very cold. Carrying a full basket load of root crops on his back, as well as a bundle of firewood over his shoulders for four kilometers or more from the field to his house. All these plus surviving a plane crash made him the man that he is and prepared him for life’s battles, and things like – scaling the summit of Mt. Pulag with 25 kilos of gear up unpaved trails!

Photo of Batanes above by Noli Gabilo

Noli’s Photography Journey

His was a journey of self-study in photography. The library and bookstores are places he frequented in his quest for knowledge. He also perused magazines like Popular Photography, Outdoor Photographer, Modern Photography, Photo Life and the like.

He did not work in a professional studio but had the privilege of shooting in studios like that of YKL and Fuji; as well as in fellow Zone V Camera Club (ZVCC) member, Daniel Uy’s place in Manila. He also observed the late Servil Tan work in his studio, which was situated near Daniel’s. It was through the invitation of Bobot Go that Noli joined ZVCC in the early 90’s.

He wanted to learn more about the craft, and the atmosphere of camaraderie and the support of ZVCC members drew him in. Noli remembers there was that photo entry of his from their Laguna OTS, submitted in transparencies – sadly, it failed! And it was Dr. Ed Clemente who did the critique. It was horrible and discouraging for Noli to hear his comments; but that was where he learned.

The sweet revenge came when he completed his ZVCC membership requirements and he gulped down his beer in just three notes during his induction.

Noli Gabilo continued to scale the summit of the photography world as his images has since been published in numerous coffee table books, not surprisingly, on Batanes, Philippines, another on Tawi Tawi: The Philippines Southernmost Frontier and notably, one with Tingting Cojuangco on Kris of Valor, are some prime examples.

As a consequence, directly or indirectly, Noli’s images would encourage the local folks to be stewards of their own place. Protecting and preserving the beauty they see in Noli’s pictures. That their place is worth caring for. Because of his pictures, Batanes was slowly discovered as an alternative destination.

Photo by Noli Gabilo

Tourism boomed and helped improve their way of life. Though Noli laments the ill effects of a booming tourism industry. He feels strongly for the need to address the adverse effect on the land and on the culture of the community.

The multi-awarded and prolific Noli

Noli is only one of a handful photographers who has been awarded the coveted Department of Tourism’s Kalakbay Award for Best Travel Photo of the Year since its inception. Aside from coffee table books, his works have been published on academic publications, major newspapers as well as glossy travel magazines like Mabuhay, Silver Kris, Asian Spirit and Life Today.

He has also held various one-man shows and exhibits in several parts of the country as well as in the United States.

Noli stays on top of his game by taking photos every day (yes, daily!). The awesome results are seen on his social media accounts. And with alert levels easing up, his guided photo safaris will hopefully resume soon.

Photo of Baguio City by Noli Gabilo

Recollections Past with Noli

This author remember years ago when this giant in the industry was the photo safari leader in his hometown of Sabtang. At one point we were to shoot the Milky Way. We were wading blindly through sea water in pitch darkness, with the weight of our gear on our backs. Then he told us to start shooting! I didn’t know what to do then but to backtrack and go ashore. But how I enjoyed that experience and learned so much from it.

I will definitely join his guided photo tours again given the chance. Noli conducts photo expeditions on your chosen destination as to where and when to best shoot the place. He goes two days in advance to scout the best spots for sunrise, sunset, and Milky Way shots if he is not familiar with the place. He has regular participants who go out several times a year for shoots.

The author standing second from left with Noli in the middle flanked by the lovely ladies of Zone V Camera Club

Words of the Wise

I share with you some sage advice from Noli himself as to how he keeps on top of the game – “always keep the DRIVE burning! As in every craft, if you lose the drive you lose the passion, and interest. So keep on learning new things. Embrace and adapt to new technology. Use it to enhance your creativity.”

Finally, in one interview with a journalist, Noli was once asked to describe Batanes, he only had one word to say – ‘unique.’ Just like his beloved hometown, Noli is truly one of a kind.