Rider’s Profile – Iskuterista Series: Jake Verzosa

I first met this guy at the bus stop in Bontoc, Mountain Province on my first time trip to Sagada with some friends. I was then wearing this “iScoot” shirt (designed by Marko) and this guy in dread locks and rasta bonnet (immediately I knew he wasn’t a mathematician!) asked where I got it. Turns out he also rides a Vespa. What are the odds of meeting a fellow Vespanatic up in the mountains eventhough there isn’t an actual Vespa in sight?

We hitched the same van to Sagada and since that connecting trip took an additional four hours or so, it was inevitable that our occasional chitchats (we were all asleep half of the time) led to the ‘what-do-you-do’ line of questioning. We learned that he’s a professional photographer and being in the company of FHM addicts, the name ‘Jake Verzosa’ instantly rang a bell. Suddenly, he’s the coolest guy around! For what man wouldn’t want a job taking pictures of gorgeous, naked barely-clothed women and get paid for it. In fact, most men would take that job even without a paycheck!

Just how good a photographer is this guy? Check out this self-portrait below. I’m not a photographer so I don’t really know how hard or easy it is to achieve that shot. But it sure took out the ‘stillness’ from a still shot. I do wanna learn how to do that!

Anyway, let’s get to know him better.

rider’s name: Jake Verzosa
also known as: matanglawin
ride: ’99 PX150
homebase: Pasig City
job: photographer

more about the rider: (from Wedding Essentials vol. 3 no. 1 — which has his photo for the cover)

He was a corporate lackey in his recent past life and has seen the light (through the lens) since. His passion for his craft is evident in each image he captures, be it a flowing white dress or a monk deep in meditation. Each photograph tells a visually arresting story that comes alive through the eyes of this gifted lensman. You can catch him speeding away on his zippy Vespa or traveling high and low, chasing sunsets and stories through his photos.

Jake’s photographs are practically a staple in publications like Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, Seventeen, T3, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping and FHM among others. You can see several of his work in his online portfolio via jakeverzosa.com or visit his photo blog at matanglawin.ph.

Cool dude, cool job!

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J0HNRANA

john[dot]rana[at]gmail[dot]com