August 15, 2026 · Davao City, Philippines
A Sony Workshop Before Kadayawan
Life of Gelosaurus found Sony Philippines' announcement for its Elevating Festival Stories workshop before Kadayawan. The event was open to photographers using any camera brand and included sessions on story-driven photography and cinematic video storytelling. Pakat Pitik offered a ride to Davao in his mini van, making it possible to join the workshop at Estancia Davao in La Herencia Davao.
The day began with a Kadayawan-inspired dance performance. With cameras already in hand, attendees could put the workshop ideas into practice instead of leaving the lessons as notes on a screen.
Image source: Sony Philippines workshop announcement
Learning from the speakers
Jerome Batain, a street and festival photographer with Camera Club of Davao, led the photography session. Sony Alpha Professional Sherard Yu spoke about cinematic video storytelling. Their sessions gave the dance photographs more purpose: look for the details that carry a festival story, not only the biggest movement in the room.
The workshop was held in partnership with Metro Plaza and Camera Club of Davao.
Trying a long lens
Sony also brought gear for attendees to try. Life of Gelosaurus borrowed an unreleased Sony FE 100-400mm OSS lens and used it for the close studies of the dancer's costume. It felt light in hand and quickly became a lens worth keeping on the wish list.
A story Sony Philippines reshared
The raffle brought one more surprise: a media pass for the following day's Kadayawan x Sony Photowalk. After the workshop, Life of Gelosaurus shared an Instagram Story and tagged Sony Philippines. Sony Philippines later reshared it through its official Instagram account. It was a small moment, but a welcome one after a full day with the camera.
Photographs from Sony Philippines' Elevating Festival Stories workshop in Davao City before Kadayawan 2026.