Meet Paolo Bigit! Paolo is from El Salvador but has lived in Kamloops for over a year. He is a passionate videographer who enjoys mountain biking and hiking!
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kamloops?
I'm from El Salvador, Central America, and I've been in Kamloops for a little more than 16 months.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I've chosen 2 friends. Walid Elias, he's my partner in everything and we share the same passions which are photography, videography and editing. Yolaine Kampman, she's my girlfriend, I truly enjoy spending time with her because she supports me every time.
What is your favourite local store in Kamloops and why?
Carlos O'Brian - Why? Because they have the best food and the best drinks (with and without alcohol) and the vibes of the places are always positive and full of nice people.
Describe yourself in one word.
Passionate.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Kandersteg, Switzerland. That's the international office of the scout movement. Especially because it's next to the swiss alps.
What is your favourite activity in Kamloops?
Mountain biking and Hiking. Both are in relation to the idea of being outside and enjoy the nature that is around Kamloops. Especially at night...
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I was at the TCC with one of my best friends. He wears almost the same every time and, that day, I saw someone wearing the same and I went and started touching his head and realized that it wasn't my friend. He wasn't at the gym that day.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Back home, I used to work a lot with community service projects and I volunteered a lot in them. One of the projects is called "leading my future," which is a 3-day camping trip, where the scouts take a group of young adults who are about to graduate high school and probably join the gangs right away. The year that I was in the project, we had a very hard group and at the end, weeks later. Many of the young adults sent me photos or texts telling me that the project changed their lives and that they were doing way better than expected.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
It is the first memory I have, I was meeting my father for the first couple of times. He's not my Biological father but he raised me as if he was and even today he is always doing it. Back then, it was a weekend and we were about to go to the beach and I was mad or sad. And behind my mom's back, he got me a kinder surprise chocolate egg. It was the first time I was trying chocolate.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Usually, in El Salvador, I used to work with the surrounding communities. In Canada, I was an active volunteer in The Red Nose Operation. Around the Upper Sahali community, I try to help by shovelling snow and I am going to try to join the snow angels as well. But basically, every time I get to be a volunteer I do it.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Fewer forest fires and more knowledge to be more conscious of how to take care of nature in general.
Where would you sneak away to in Kamloops to spend some time alone?
Any of the trails at Kenna Cartwright Park.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kamloops and why?
Faster and better engaging activities between international and domestic students in the city. The informational gap of us, internationals are growing and almost nothing is done to change that.
What do you think makes Kamloops great?
The people around it. I see in social media how people are always willing to help. And even around the university, the number of people that are always helping everyone.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Summit the Swiss Alps Spend two or three weeks in either Yosemite Park or Yellowstone Park Work for National Geographic as a videographer.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I have a strong need to be helpful.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
Instagram and Facebook.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Eterno Emotions.
Why did you get into/start this business?
My best friend Walid Elias brought the idea and we decided to take it on paper.
What is the goal of your business?
Provide quality of services in photography and videography on a budget.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Keeping a routine that can be followed over time.
What do you always find yourself saying?
"I need more coffee."
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
When you feel down, try to look around and go outside. Stop! Look up and down and sideways. Deeply breathe and start thinking who's around you.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Jimmy Chin. Videographer and rock climber himself. His work is amazing and I believe that there is so much to learn from him in just one day. Also... He's really cool.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
The local economy grows and we stop relying on outside markets to get things. We also support the dreams of those who are making them real.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Start working at the TV station, CFJC TV.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Walid Elias because he is always next to me, ready to work and ready to have fun. We are always improving each other's learning experiences.
My choice for the KamloopsBCNow In Focus spotlight is:
Walid Elias.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Thanks for the opportunity to be here. I would like to shout out 2 Instagram profiles: bigit.perceptions and walidportfolio. Which are both Walid's and my Instagram profiles, where we publish all our work, ideas and collabs.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kamloops.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great!
