The Heart That Giving - Takidashi at Ishinomaki

Day 3 : Leaving Sendai, headed to Ishinomaki. Ishinomakhi located in Miyagi Prefecture . This city was among the most seriously affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami about more than 10 meters high and destroy approximately almost 50% of the city.

This city got very badly hit by both the earthquake and the resultant tsunami on the 11th of March 2011. Though, I was amazed to see the pace of the reconstruction work that has already begun here. Many of the streets had been cleared of detritus and most of the rubble had already been collected and deposited in vacant lots.

We were divided into 2 groups. While the other group did mud digging in different area, I joined with the Takidashi. Takidashi or food handout is cooking and providing fresh food. The Takidashi was held in the small area where residents still persist and grateful they survived and with no plans to leave.

Some of volunteers set up a makeshift stage for the singers and dancers while another went house visiting to invite the residents to Takidashi. The volunteer workers served Thai noodles (phad thai), ‘‘satay’’ and hot Vietnamese coffees.
During those time, the resident was entertained by some performers from ASEAN countries whom joining the ASEAN Youth Caravan. Among that are the ASEAN student in Japan, Indonesian performers Ring of Fire with lead singer Fadly and Rindra (known as member of PADI group) and Derby “Petualangan Sherina” Rumero and famous artis from Thailand Khemanit “Pancake” Jarikorn. We also gave away caps, t-shirts and other goodies to all those who joined the takidashi.

As the Secretary General of ASEAN, H.E Surin Pitsuan concludes “The Japanese Government is ensuring necessities for her citizens, we just want to show our friendship with a little of our culture and experience. Participants are willing and ready to do what is needed; may it be cooking ASEAN cuisines just for them to taste a bit of our culinary tradition, cleaning, singing, dancing...or simply listening! They just want to be there in person, share personal experiences and spend quality time with the survivors and friends—as fellow Asians, as fellow humans”.

The earthquake has changed the city. Surely, it's changed it emotionally, but it has also changed it physically. Helping hand is not always “what is given that is important “ but at “the heart of giving”


also link :
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/asean-goodwill-caravan-comforts-disaster-victims-with-food-music

ASEAN Youth Caravan of Goodwill, NorthEast Japan

Short Description of ASEAN Youth Caravan of Goodwill :
Realizing that hundreds of thousands of unfortunate victims of the triple catastrophe are still being housed in many evacuation centers in Northeast Japan in particular, the ASEAN and Japanese Foreign Ministers have endorsed a proposal to organize a quick “Caravan of ASEAN Youth” to show the goodwill of the ASEAN people to be supported by the civil society and the private sector at no cost to the ASEAN . The ASEAN Youth Caravan of Goodwill is planned for 3-5 June, 2011. The Caravan will visit evacuation centers in the Northeastern coastal communities of Japan that have been devastated by the Great Earthquake and the tsunami of 11 March.
All members of the “ASEAN Caravan of Goodwill” will be on a voluntary, pro bono, basis (charity and free of charge). Some members will travel from some of the ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat and some will be invited from among the Tokyo-based youth or students who are interested and willing to join the Caravan of Goodwill. Thai International Airways and Air Asia have expressed their readiness to participate in the ASEAN Youth Caravan of Goodwill. The Nippon Foundation is making arrangements for Japanese volunteers and managing all ground logistics that include identifying possible places to visit and coordinating activities in pursuit of comforting and helping the survivors.
The 10 ASEAN embassies (The ASEAN Tokyo Committee) will be closely consulted and will support the organization of the project without any financial implications to the ASEAN Member States. The Thai Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Virasakdi Futrakul, Chairman of the ASEAN Tokyo Committee, will serve as the main Coordinator in Tokyo. All Ambassadors of the ASEAN Member States in Tokyo will advise and render support to this goodwill initiative.
The National Japan Broadcasting Company (NHK) has agreed to document the “ASEAN Youth Caravan of Goodwill” from the very start until the end over the 3 days period, beginning with its arrival in Japan on 3 June to its departure on 5 June (courtesy to http://worldofchacha.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/asean-youth-caravan/)

I've been travelled almost 5 days to visit Northeast Japan, join the ASEAN YCOG. We left Tokyo early in the morning to Sendai. It took 7 hours by bus but we made restop along the way. Sendai is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture and the largest city in the Tōhoku Region. Actually we met great view along the way but dramatically changed as we reach first stop at Natori. It was absolutely unbelievable! The city was nearly wiped out. Smashed houses, cars everywhere, boats randomly dumped. We stop about half an hour and laid some flowers as a memorial.

We spend the night at Sendai City that also showed some scars of the earthquake, and prepared for the main event for tomorrow, The Takidashi and Mud digging at Ishinomaki

Even this journey brought great sadness but it was an honour to bring the message to Japanese all over the country that the ASEAN people care about them.

The Legacy (Short Movie Video)

Dear Fellas

Proudly present from our creativity, short movie made for Levi's competion. 



‎

also  thanks to Mr.Jimi Hendrix, Ary ,Qanta and Backhe for the good cooperation..and also sambel iblis Mbah Jingkrak Resto

http://vimeo.com/26661266

Beach Hunter

Seperti yang pernah saya ceritakan dulu mengenai jajaran pantai selatan di Wonosari , kabupaten Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta ini adalah kelanjutannya. Maksudnya saya baru sempat -setelah penasaran tepatnya - meninjau deretan pantai-pantai lainnya.

Setelah berkendaraan selama 3 jam dari kota Yogya serta mengabaikan untuk mampir di Pantai Baron, Krakal dan Kukup, sampailah ke pantai pertama, Pantai Drini.

Pantai Drini terletak di sebelah timur Pantai Kukup. Letaknya diapit oleh perbukitan. Meskipun hari sudah menjelang siang saya masih sempat melihat kapal nelayan merapat dengan hasil tangkapan ikan yang langsung dijual di pelelangan kecil ( Gbr 1 s/d 11). Walaupun pasir di Pantai Drini masih terlihat putih namun saya yakin bahwa pantai ini sebelum banyak diketahui orang pasti lebih bersih lagi. Saya melihat mulai banyak sampah dipinggir pantai bekas wisatawan yang datang karena pantai ini sekarang sudah mulai ramai dikunjungi terutama pada saat libur. Seorang pemilik warung mengatakan bahwa dulunya belum banyak orang datang ke lokasi ini. Yang lebih mengejutkan lagi waktu saya mengambil gambar ada seorang penduduk yang mulai komersil meminta bayaran mulai dari uang sampai lama-lama turun jadi sebungkus rokok. Sepertinya mereka mulai paham banyak yang mengambil gambar yang nantinya digunakan untuk tujuan komersil tanpa mereka tahu hasilnya apalagi kecipratan..(ya doain aja, pak supaya proyeknya gol jadi mudah-mudahan besok kalau saya kembali kesana saya bisa bagi-bagi rejeki :D).

Pantai berikutnya yang disambangi adalah Pantai Indrayanti. Nama Pantai Indrayanti diambil dari nama pemilik pantai ini. Ya betul ini adalah pantai pribadi. Di awal tahun lalu pantai ini pernah menjadi sengketa karena tidak mengantongi kepemilikan ijin usaha. Seperti yang umum diketahui bahwa bentang wilayah pantai selatan di Gunung Kidul disebut Sultan Ground yaitu tanah milik Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono dan tidak dapat dimiliki oleh oknum pribadi. Pantai Indrayanti sendiri sudah mepromosikan diri ke berbagai negara melalui jaringan internet. Memasuki gerbang pantai ini memang sudah terasa sekali aura daerah wisatanya yang tertata rapih dan profesional untuk level daerah yang masuk katagori susah didatangi. Deretan gazebo dan usaha resto serta fasilitas olahraga Jet sky disediakan pemilik pantai ini ( Gbr 12 s/d 16). Kelanjutan cerita sengketa pantai ini sungguh saya ga tau karena harus segera buru- buru moving ke next destinasi since mulai terdengar suara-suara 4L4Y dan jejak kaki- kakinya yang mulai bertebaran di atas pasir putih.

Base on info dari seorang tukang parkir di pantai Indrayanti, finally akhirnya kita menemukan pantai yang mudah-mudahan bukan pantai pribadi lagi. (Gbr 17 s/d 43). Untuk menuju lokasi ini jalannya agak- agak ga mulus dan lebarnya cuma muat satu mobil. Nama pantai ini adalah..adaaaa dehh...:D.. beneran kita sendiri ga tahu namanya soalnya tempatnya nyempil dan untuk menuju ke bibir pantai kita harus menuruni bukit. Bayangkan ya, untuk saya tidak menyukai pantai saja merasa betah banget disini. Memandang hamparan samudera luas dari atas bukit tinggi, tanpa ada pendatang, tanpa 4L4Y, cuma penduduk lokal yang sibuk mencari siput, kerang, bulu babi .Trus saya berdoa mudah-mudahan orang ga banyak tau tempat ini. Sayang banget kalau dikotorin dan mengganggu mereka.. *ok. agak egois*

Ini belum selesai. Masih banyak lagi pantai di jajaran kabupaten Gunung Kidul yang menanti untuk disinggahi. Tapi berhubung perjalanan pulang masih 3 jam lagi dan besok harus bangun jam 02.00 pagi buat motret Waisak di Borobudur jadi kita sudahi dulu saja berburu pantai kali ini. Dalam perjalanan pulang masih sempat mampir juga sih di beberapa pantai yang ramai pengunjung karena om - om dari X- Code Film ini kayaknya masih penasaran pengen ngambil gambar ombak pecah dari dekat. Makasih deh, saya totally udah gosong..

Vesak 2555 BE , Borobudur Festival 2011

Vesak Day is the memorial of three events at a same time - the birth, the perfect enlightenment time and the death of the Siddhartha Gautama. In Indonesia, commonly all Buddhists celebrate Vesak with the central event at the Borobudur Temple. Borobudur is believed to be the gathering place of supernatural powers.

Regretly, i wasn't on good condition on those days to joining their complete ceremonial for three days (headache, sleepless and almost "overheated"). Started with ritual to obtain holy water and igniting the Vesak torch, whose flames are taken from the natural eternal flames at Mrapen in the village of Grobogan, end by walking from the Mendut Pawon to Borobudur.

Today, The Indonesian Buddhists Representatives Association, which leads the ceremony has designated the theme of Vesak 2555 BE as: “Seeking Happiness and Serenity Within Oneself”.

happy Vesak 2555 BE, May Lord Budha bless all of us.

Pindapata 2011 - Welcoming Vesak 2555 BE -

I was remember one early morning while I visit Bangkok a couple years ago, a group of a Bhikkhu ( Budhist monk) wearing their robes like an orange ripple, walking along the street and stop to take food from everyone who wishes to give. Then people seems known that the bikkhu will coming they’re ready with the food, put something into their bowl. Also heard some called out “nimon” to invite them to stop. As silently as open he open his bowl to receive the food. They just stand in silence and keep their eyes fixed upon the open bowl and say nothing. The Bhikkhu doesn’t look to see who is giving him food or even say something unless they ask them something. The layman who offering food are who thank them for having taken food from their hands. Sometimes one sees bhikkhus following gently and quietly after an elder monk, perhaps carrying his bowl for him until the first house is reached upon the alms-round. It's call Pindapata.

Pindapata is a tradition in which Buddhist monks wander through a village to collect their daily meals. The tradition started when Buddha said monks and nuns should not cook or store their own food in order to simplify the lives of monastics and to enrich the spiritual lives of lay people. A bhikkhu doesn’t beg as do ordinary beggars but passes on silently collecting offered food. They makes no effort to attract the attention of anyone.

Now I know that in the lands where the teachings of the Lord Buddha have been long established, the sight of a bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) collecting food in the early morning, is a common one. The alms-gathering ritual must end before lunchtime

This is the first time I've participated in Pindapata. I brought also some food to share. Those who didn't have food can gave them angpao (money in envelopes). As Budha said, It is not always “what is given that is important “ but at “the heart of giving”.


" Happy, indeed, we live, We who possess nothing, Feeders on joy shall we be, Even as gods of the radiant realm - Budha "

Fotografi = Main - Main ?

Waktu pertama kenal DSLR thn 2004, saya memakai EOS 10D setelah sebelumnya selama hampir 6 thn pakai analog NIKON F2 & F5. Booming digital 2 tahun lalu, pertama saya beli entry level 1000D, lensanyapun cuma punya  KIT& 1 lens fixed yang dibeli karena kebutuhan. Harganya waktu itu  senilai EOS 550D BO jaman sekarang. Saat itu masih sering juga motret pake analog. Selain SLR analog & digital tentu saja juga pakai pocket dan pernah mencoba Lomo.

Kalau diitung- itung hubungan saya dengan dunia photography sudah berlangsung sedemikian lama.  Dalam arti bahkan sampai detik ini juga saya masih belajar baik secara tehnik maupun praktek (Meskipun beberapa mengatakan bahwa ROT boleh dilanggar tapi saya tetap masih belajar sampai sekarang supaya dapat frame yang enak dilihat )

Sekarang ini photography sering dianggap main- main oleh nubie. Pertama dari kelas harga. Harga mahal pasti bagus. yaa bener sih ada uang ada barang tapi ini khan bukan soal beli  fashion. Yang lebih ga ngerti lagi darimana ya mereka bisa berkesimpulan bahawa lensa panjang itu sudah pasti lebih mahal dari lensa pendek *gigit sandal*


Dua gambar diatas saya ambil dengan angle sama dan body berbeda. Ada yg bisa liat perbedaannya secara significant ?

Kedua, sekarang begitu  seseorang mampu beli camera lalu langsung mencap diri sebagai photographer. Hey c’mon , by the time you buy that thing you just own it. Sometimes bahkan ada yang udah mengklaim dirinya photographer but they don’t know how to attach lens..*krik krik krik*. Yaa..sah – sah saja sih siapapun yang bisa memotret bisa disebut photographer koq.

Photography tidak semata dilihat dari kualitas gambar yang sempurna, tanpa grainy atau megapixel yang besar hingga mampu mencetak ukuran baliho dengan pixel yang padat. Photography sendiri berasal dari bahasa yunani yang berarti “ cahaya dan menulis “ maka cahaya (baik cahaya matahari atau lampu) merupakan unsur yang paling penting yang ga bisa dianggap remeh untuk mendapatkan hasil foto yang baik selain dari komposisi dan  pengaturan kecepatan rana. Ketiga hal tersebut yang sekarang tidak begitu dipahami nubie. Sekali lagi terlepas dari kecanggihan digital dan software editing.

Percaya ga, jaman kuliah waktu belum ada DSLR, kita harus mencatat data exif sedemikian rupa sampai gambar yang di cetak akhirnya mendekati sempurna. Catat: mendekati ya..hikss…pengaturan dilakukan secara manual dan setelah cetak baru bisa lihat letak kesalahan.Ternyata bukaannya harus segini, ternyata kecepatannya kudu dikurangin. Pegel ga sihh??.sekarang mah, jebret tinggal delete. Bahkan ada yang dengan cueknya publish foto over atau under, bahkan goyang. as long diambil pake cam mahal mah cuek aja..ishhh

Suatu saat ketika sedang berbincang dengan salah satu nubie, beliau ngotot mengatakan bahwa lensa fixed dipergunakan untuk mendapatkan bidang frame yang luas. Bukan karena dia mencontohkannya sambil merentangkan tangan yang bikin saya pengen gali kubur  tapi kemudian saya sadar bahwa senjata terbaik adalah mengiyakan saja  dan berjanji lain kali saya akan membahas kisah cinta Raul Ramos & KD saja dengannya.  Boro- boro mau ngomongin soal lens mirror or sensor CMOS. 

Tapi ya sudahlah. Lagipula disini kita bicara mengenai fotografi, suatu seni. Jadi kita bisa lihat siapa yang bisa bertahan dan yang benar-benar membuat sebuah karya seni. Lagipula ga semua nubie koq begini, ada yang emang udah in the blood jadi mau pake cam apa aja juga "nyeni"..

Sejujurnya saya sama sekali ga pede motret, terutama ketika menenteng – nenteng  gadgetnya sendiri. Pun saya sering kali ga pede dengan hasil jepretan meskipun beberapa sudah sering di publikasikan di media dan menang lomba.

Alasan saya tidak membuka kolom koment ketika posting album di salah satu jejaring sosial juga terus terang justru takut ada yang bilang “ wihh, bagus banget fotonya”, “ makin canggih aja nih motretnya” instead cuma untuk menyenangkan hati. Beban mental banget sementara saya sendiri waktu mau publish aja ragu – ragu karena merasa ga bagus. Dan koment yang paling menyebalkan adalah “ pake kamera apa sih lo?”. DANG!!!.. What’s in your hand is the best, man..

Tidak semudah itu untuk menjadi fotografer, baik fotografer professional berbayar maupun yang karyanya sudah diakui secara luas (terlebih kalau dapat award). Banyak yang harus dipikirkan terutama kreativitas ide, eksekusi sehingga menuai hasil yang enak dipandang. Semuanya lebih penting dari aksi menenteng dan memotret itu sendiri. Sejatinya seorang fotografer adalah ahli dalam membuat foto serta menguasai tehnik yang baik. Have you?

Jadi, sejauh mana kita pantas disebut photographer? Ketika sudah punya kamera? Bisa jadi duit? Menang lomba?

Buat saya ga penting. I just wanna shoot like my eye is shutter release…


salam jepret


ps :No offense ya saya nulis ini. Bukan apa- apa, bukan lantaran sirik karena saya ga bisa motret sambil pake kacamata item (sumpah kalo bisa mah pengen banget buat jadi pp. khan keren, kakakkk…).