Rated X

"Photographs are dreams and visions of the unconscious and conscious reality. We bring dreams to life through pictures and the possibilities are endless." This is what photography is all about for top photographer Xander Angeles. One of the most sought-after in the advertising and fashion industries, Xander’s works are marked by edginess, sensuality and an irreverent play and display of light and color. Masterpieces by top international photographers like Knight, Dah-Len, Rankin, Mondino, and La Chapelle are points of inspiration reflected in his work. His passion in the field is deeply rooted in using the medium as an expression of art and as an avenue for collaborative work involving creative individuals in fashion.

Xander’s interest in photography began when he was an active member of a mountaineering club in UST. With a Pentax P30N as his first camera, he started as a designated archivist, taking pictures of events and monthly climbs organized by the group in various places in the Philippines. What began as a hobby led to a career when his talent was noticed by Dojo Palines, former president of the Advertising Photographers of the Philippines, in an exhibit mounted by Habagat, a mountaineering specialty store.

Xander apprenticed under Palines for one year, receiving free meals and living on an allowance of P100 a day to gain basic and technical skills needed to pursue this passion.

With much enthusiasm and experience, Xander decided to work on his own. His introduction to the world of fashion advertising began with long-time friend and top stylist, Millet Arzaga. Constant practice taking photos for glossy magazines and shooting fashion editorials in different locations led to more work, but it was the FHM calendar that generated so much publicity and exposure, making Xander Angeles what he is today.

In his years of work in print advertising, Xander built an exceptional portfolio of works commissioned by top apparel and sporting brands like Penshoppe, Oxygen, Adidas and Jag; beauty brands like Ponds, L’Oreal and Splash; recording companies like Star, Viva, Virgin/Emi and Octoarts records; department stores like Rustan’s and Shoemart; and publishing houses such as Summit, ABS-CBN, MMPI, Fookien Times and Stargate Media Corp.

With countless pictures of famous celebrities, supermodels and TV personalities, Xander definitely belongs to local photography’s crème de la crème.

Despite his success, Xander remains humbly indebted to those who have given him the opportunity to sharpen his "eye" for the medium. He admires and respects local masters Jun de Leon, Neil Oshima, Lilen Uy and Edwin Tuyay.

Though photography is his line of expertise, Xander has set his sights on transcending his passion for print into a new medium, film. Having directed three music videos for local artists, he has, under his cap, a Best Director award for the Slapshock video NUMB from MTV Pilipinas. Xander believes that both media are similar in most aspects, and that working on both at the same time is feasible.

Dreaming of the not-so-distant future, Xander believes that local photography has great potential and that we can compete globally in terms of artistry. He reckons, "In a couple of years, more people will appreciate photographs that are more edgy, experimental and sexy. The market will rise and will be less conservative, opening up to a more progressive understanding and exposition of the medium." Xander’s own presence and talent will help the growth of local photography, and spearhead a new revolution of the Philippine artistic movement.

Xander Angeles, in collaboration with Team Manila and the country’s top stylists, makeup artists and designers will launch his book on fashion, style and sensuality entitled X on June 2 at 8 p.m. at Palm Beach Singapore Restaurant, The Fort.

(E-mail me at mymultiplechoice@yahoo.com)