Volunteer photographer bids Saipan adieu

Saipan’s No. 1 volunteer photographer Joseph Chin during one of his many hikes on his adopted Saipan. (Facebook)

A familiar fixture in many island sports events these past couple of years is Joseph Chin. The 59-year-old, however, is not an athlete nor is he part of any sports organization or the media.

With his trusty camera, Chin is there as a volunteer photographer to cover sports events that range from the early morning starts of Run Saipan’s monthly 5Ks or the half-day affairs of Marianas Racing Association’s races at the dirt track at CowTown Raceway Park in Marpi.

As a volunteer photographer, Chin doesn’t only share his precious snapshots to the local newspapers, but also posts them on Facebook for everyone to enjoy.

“I take photography as my hobby. I like to take action photos. Saipan is just nice for sport events like cycling, running, swimming, kite surfing, and all water sports. Especially now as the COVID-19 pandemic attacks, I used this (photography) to pass my time. Saipan is so beautiful,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Chin will bid Saipan adieu this morning after making the island his second home since November 2015. But before he leaves, people who were touched by his dedication to his chosen hobby and his willingness to share his talent took time to extend send-off messages to their favorite shutterbug.

Run Saipan’s Edward Dela Cruz said Chin is not only an amazing photographer but an amazing person.

Joseph Chin, left, takes a selfie with his fellow shutterbugs, from second left, Ponciano Corotan, Teddy Corpuz, and Jonathan Ibajan at Banzai Cliff. (Facebook)

“He is irreplaceable. On behalf of our running club—Run Saipan—we thank you Joe. Thank you so much for documenting and creating such wonderful memories for our runners. Sports photography is ridiculously hard. It’s hard to take photos of moving people let alone hundreds of them during a race and trying to get every single runner. If it wasn’t for you our runners wouldn’t have been able to take memories with them of their amazing experience. You have been able to capture these experiences and show it to the world. We wish you the best. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and you will always be part of our family no matter where you go,” he said.

MRA’s Cuki Alvarez said the sport of motocross on island will forever be indebted to Chin’s contributions, especially since MRA was dormant for so many years.

“Joseph definitely high-lighted and brought ‘life’ to the Marianas Racing Association with his pictures and videos. His passion and creativity in his photography really made all the racers and riders shine and it showed in all his action shots! He literally placed himself in harm’s way at times to get the ‘perfect’ shot. We will miss his warm smile and happy vibes and just his overall presence that he has brought to our club every single weekend since we first met him in September of 2020,” said the Expert Class rider.

Tisha Ferrer, the mother of Peewee Class rider T.J., said the whole MRA family will miss Chin. “Thank you so much Joseph for all the awesome pictures and videos you took during practices and races. The MRA family will miss you. T.J. is always looking forward to your posts and enjoys watching them everytime.”

Fellow volunteer photographer Lao Zhang said aside from being a very good photographer, Chin is a very nice man. “He is professional, hardworking, and admirable in his photography!”

Jonathan Ibajan, who like Chin and Zhang, also takes photos of Saipan’s sports events, said he will also miss Chin’s camaraderie.

“Thank you Joseph for the fun and the bonding. God bless you and take care always. Have a safe trip brother,” he said.