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Kent Catmunan from the Philippines might just be one of the biggest Instax fans we know of, with a massive 17 Instax products in his collection. Instax South Africa decided to reach to find out more about his Instax passion and to learn more about his beautiful home country.
Hi Kent! A warm welcome all the way from South Africa, we are happy to interview such a big Instax fan. Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
Hi, my name is Kent Catmunan from the Philippines! I work as a barista and a chef at a local cafe here in our town, Baras. Aside from cooking, baking, collecting Pokémon plushies, and photography, one of my favorite hobbies is crafting Instax-related projects.
Through this, I can execute a unique and creative way of displaying Instax prints as artworks. This includes turning empty cartridges into frames, Instax journaling and postcard making, wall and table decorations, and many more.
When did your love of Instax start and what’s the appeal?
My fascination with Instax started in 2018 and it grew into a passion after I got my first Instax in 2019 after winning a contest on Instagram. Currently, I own seventeen Instax products, including one hybrid, five printers and eleven analogue cameras.
It has been years since I found my passion with Instax, and it continues to give me joy, thrill and excitement all the time. Through Instax, I’ve been able to show my creativity in making do-it-yourself crafts with Instax, showing unique presentations and flat-lays through photography, sharing my adventures through films, and capturing special moments with my family and friends. This journey made it exceptional whenever I shared my Instax crafts on my Instagram, or curated helpful Instax tips and tutorials that inspire people along the way.
You own a number of Instax cameras, including the Wide 400, the Square SQ1, a Mini LiPlay, a Wide 210, the Square Link printer, the Mini Link printer and a gorgeous classic Pokémon Mini 8, amongst others. If you had to choose only one, which one would you pick, and why?
One of my favourite units that I own is the Instax Mini 8 Pikachu – a Pokémon Center exclusive camera from 2017. I’m a huge fan of both worlds: Pokémon and photography, as they bring out my sense of creativity, nostalgia and joy. Pokémon inspires my imagination and reminds me of the fun, adventurous world I grew up loving, while Instax lets me capture and preserve the moments that matter most. Together, they fuel my passion for creating, documenting memories, and expressing myself in a fun and meaningful way.
How many packs of Instax do you go through a month? What do you do with your prints?
My Instax film consumption may vary depending on its purpose, may it be for a DIY project, travel adventures, or as a gift for my friends and loved ones.
In doing a DIY project (as content, as display or a gift), I usually use at least one pack of film. For travel or adventures, I always allot three packs of film to capture a bunch of happy moments with friends, and the beautiful scenery. When giving it as a gift, I sometimes give a pack of Instax film to a friend on a random celebration.
Tell us more about where you live and why South Africans should come and visit.
I’m currently living in Baras in the province of Rizal, Philippines. Baras is the home of the Philippines’ native martial arts, Sikaran, and it’s also the Philippines’ First Organic Town.
Our town offers the natural beauty of nature, as well as fun, adventure and cultural experiences. You can visit our historical Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Joseph for faith and devotion; the unique rock formations and rich ecosystem of Masungi Georeserve; join the celebration of the Tromba Festival every 1st of May; or come to learn Sikaran.
Please recommend one place to visit when in the Philippines.
I would recommend Boracay. There are plenty of reasons to fall in love with this island: its beautiful scenery such as crystal-clear seawater, white sandy beaches and lush greenery, the delicious delicacies, its diverse culture, and the hospitality of the locals.
What’s the best thing to eat over there?
Adobo is one of the best dishes in our country. We have plenty of ways to cook it using main ingredients such as pork, chicken or vegetables. Its classic salty, sour and slightly sweet taste makes it extra special, and we traditionally serve it with rice. I must say, this is a MUST TRY dish when you visit Philippines.
If you were able to design your own Instax film, what would it look like?
If I could design my own film, I’d go for a Manila-inspired Instax Mini film that features Filipino historical landmarks, cultural illustrations such as local food or delicacies, and colorful festivities that we celebrate. For the base, I’d choose a warm beige shake to bring out the vibrant colors of the illustrations.
As shown in the image below, I designed my film with a jeepney, a bahay kubo (nipa hut), and local foods because these symbols represent my roots; our journey, our culture and tradition and a meaningful story behind it.
If you can take an Instax photo with anyone, who would it be?
I would love to take a capture a moment with Ed Sheeran and document his stage performances through Instax.
What is your favourite song, at the moment?
I’m torn between Photograph by Ed Sheeran and any songs by Cup of Joe, a local Filipino band. Their songs captured my heart in different but equally beautiful ways.
What is your favourite movie, at the moment?
I don’t have a particular favourite movie, but I love to watch sci-fi, musicals, adventure and fantasy-related shows and movies.
If you can do anything else at the moment, what would it be?
I’d like to spend my time now to pursue the following activities: traveling, doing my own workshops on crafting, cooking/baking and photography.
