Ruben Nepales
Published: 2021-02-02
Total Pages: 254
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Now available as a paperback (8.5"x10"), Ruben V. Nepales' "Through a Writer's Lens" was originally released as a limited hardbound edition. Those coffee table book (12"x14") copies quickly sold out. Acclaimed by media, "Through a Writer's Lens" is a 254-page compilation of award-winning photojournalist Nepales' often candid snapshots of the Hollywood stars he has interviewed. This is a must-have book of more than 1,000 photos of stars that he took in almost two decades. The book is published by Bessie Badilla, also the art designer and layout artist. Based in Los Angeles, Nepales won honors from the National Entertainment Journalism Awards and the Southern California Journalism Awards, both presented by the Los Angeles Press Club. Each of the 200-plus top talents, from Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart, Darren Criss to Robert Pattinson, included in the tome has a memorable quote culled from Nepales' columns of these stars. Also a passionate advocate of the Filipino and Filipino-American talent, Nepales spotlighted in the book Lea Salonga, Hailee Steinfeld, Jon Jon Briones, Vanessa Hudgens, Nico Santos, Reggie Lee and Vincent Rodriguez III; filmmakers Lav Diaz, Brillante Mendoza and Ramona Diaz; cinematographer Matthew Libatique; songwriter Robert Lopez; animators Ronnie del Carmen and Paul Abadilla; and more. "Through a Writer's Lens" is Nepales' second book, following his 2012 book, "My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood," which won in the print journalism - book category of the Migration Advocacy and Media Awards presented by the Office of the President of the Philippines' Commission on Filipinos Overseas. In August 2020, Rappler, the Philippines' leading news website, became the new home of Nepales' beloved column, "Only IN Hollywood." Media praise for "Through a Writer's Lens": "This book is a great showcase for the photography and reporting talents of Ruben Nepales. With both, he finds the perfect moment to showcase these individuals, and Hollywood in general." Tim Gray, Variety "A stunning collection of works, both photographic and textual." Nestor Cuartero, Manila Bulletin "Behind these celebrity revelations in pictures and words, this book spotlights what is obvious - Ruben is a superb interviewer with that most sought after skill: the ability to make his subjects feel relaxed and safe in his presence, the better to draw out their real selves." Gemma Nemenzo, Positively Filipino "Beautiful...The photos themselves offer a different, more casual side of the stars." Momar Visaya, Asian Journal "Unwitting snapshots, cinematic quotes..." Emmie Velarde, Rappler "Gorgeous...It is this homegrown sensitivity and time-honed artistic impulse that have enabled Ruben to catch Meryl Streep in a seldom-seen playful mood, visually immortalize the delightful raconteurs concealed by Ian McKellen and Judi Dench's much-revered screen personas, and bring out the natural charisma that makes George Clooney, Michael Fassbender and Oscar Isaac tick." Rito Asilo, Philippine Daily Inquirer