Solemn Pledge of Fidelity

MARIO CARDENAS Photography has provided Mario with a lot of high points in his life. “I used to just admire and marvel at the amazing works of these international and world class artists, I even thought of their images as “unachievable”. Now I am competing with them in the same arena, and winning,” he says. One of the most awarded photographers, Mario has, in his short photography career, already racked up 145 local and international awards “It’s surreal,” he says about the winning and the other perks like receiving comments and messages from people saying that they truly love his work. “I also strive to innovate and take risks. For me, it does not matter if the image I’m trying to create is beyond the norm. I try to do something different (always). I want to be expressive and artistic. Sometimes, some of my peers find my works unusual, even weird. But somehow, the images capture the imagination of certain people, who share the same desire to witness something out of the ordinary.” To him, photography is a craft and is not just about capturing a certain moment or subject. It involves discipline and an understanding of both the subject and the context it is set against. “A photographer must feel a sense of connection and empathy with the subjects in order to present and capture them with clarity and accuracy.” Like any artist who needs inspiration, he counts his wife as his muse and “best buddy and partner” and his son, Cedi as the one who gives him reason to be the best in everything he does. “Each one of us has the desire to contribute something in the world we live in,” says Mario who dreams of having his own photography studio or gallery and hopefully attend and participate in international exhibitions, and of course win more prestigious competitions. Citing his very modest upbringing in Muntinlupa, Mario hope to inspire a lot of Filipinos and show them that “no matter where we come from, with utmost passion, dedication and faith, we can be at par with the rest of the world.”