The Story Behind The Flowerful Quoteful

As what I have written last week, I want to save my Calvendo stories for later, when my calendar is already out in the gallery.  I have already updated some of my personal information in my profile because of this new job, I need to be credible. It was Friday last week when I got the approval of my Flowerful Quoteful 2015 Calendar from Calvendo, my first approved project.  Today, I received another approval, for my Fascination Philippines Calendar. All these things came as a big surprise, to see my name and my work sitting side by side with those professional photographers and artists throughout Europe. I feel it takes time for me to swallow, but in my heart, I am very grateful for the break that Calvendo had given me.

The approval of Fascination Philippines

How did it all started? My husband and I have met through the internet. He saw my blogs on the other social network. I love writing, I love to write anything that comes to my mind. I think my husband feels something from what I have written on that site. We are already engaged when he gave me the idea to publish something. I told him that I am not ready yet to write a book. I think to write a book, I need to attend first a workshop with other writers who already have the experience.

Then my husband advised me to write my quotes in a calendar. I already tried that with his help. I have contacted and inquired some publishers in America on how much the cost if they will publish my calendar. The answer is: big, big amount of money. That was not the right time. I do not like to take a risk, I am an amateur. I got married, Burt came and rocked my world, and I totally forgot about having a job.

My husband was the one who saw my potential.

Nothing like waiting until the last month. In a snap the Calvendo page popped in my page.  Uh, this is what I need! A publisher that can publish my work for free. Sometimes life is funny, what you need landed just an inch away from your nose! I made right away my first project, I thought that was that easy. Unfortunately, they rejected my first project. But they gave me many tips and pointers in making a world-class calendar. A calendar that will sell. I noted every detail and with the help of Photoshop Guidebook, I have learned some of the important aspect in photography. It is not only about the beauty of the photo. In the package includes the right resolution for printing, opacity, blending of colors, lights and shadows... And so on. Finally, I was done with my first project. The jury returned my project two or three times for some revision. 

But my hope floats, at least it was not ruled out, only for revision. That is it. While me and Burt were in the supermarket, I received the Calvendo email on my phone. When I saw the first word that says "congratulations" my head spin, there were some tears rolling in my cheeks, and I like to hug all the people in the supermarket! In my heart, I am very grateful to Calvendo for trusting me, for helping me, and for believing in me.

I love the feeling!

When I first saw my calendar in the gallery, I feel like I am a small lamb, compared to those professionals and old-timers. I am half of the world away now from my family, from my beloved parents. Right now, I am missing my father and my mother. I remember when I have worked before as a radio cohost, my father was very proud, he even brings his small transistor radio to his relatives and friends and let them hear my voice on the radio. I am a mother to Burt now, but I never lose my heart as a girl, longing for my father's affection at a time like this.

My father once was my greatest fan.

I just want to include the description of Calvendo.
CALVENDO is the world’s first publisher to enable creative people not only to publish the calendars and poster books they make using their own photos, graphic art and writing, but also to sell their creations on the international book market. The platform was set up in Germany in 2012 and launched internationally in the UK and France in 2014. I have two calendars now that available or soon available in the international book market.

I am just a simple Filipina who grown up in the most populated barangay in the Philippines and love to go in the meetings at the Kingdom Hall and love to share my faith to other people. I never thought that I can do this kind of work. I have been through dark times and sad times, but I never get bitter in life. I hold life even more and keep myself humble. My life is a series of many surprises and experience that I can turn to many experience and then a lot of surprises. I am thankful for everything and I am thankful to my husband for my camera. I am blessed.