Enveloped

The best part of traveling back home is seeing the mountains enveloped by "stars" and the clouds. I spent the early morning of Independence day at Marccos Highway taking these photographs. 

Wedding Bells

Around a month ago we were asked to conspire in a wedding proposal, lots of preparation and a lot more prayers happened in between. The plan was for Mark to lure the unsuspecting Melai to a place they've been to before, Luneta.

It was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything else. I am glad I was part of it.

Here's the run down. After a downpour of rain for most of the afternoon, it finally let up. As faith continued to make her moves, Mark and Melai finally arrived. With Gian and Leo innocently taking pictures near Lights and sounds, we waited for the couple to pass by.

Gian then leads Mark and Melai to our "set-up" photo-shoot and introduces everybody else. Not long after, Melai finds herself and Mark as models in an impromptu shoot. They were given props, instructed on poses and dragged to lights and sounds. Unfortunately, the rain had another agenda. It poured.

Back to the original place, Erick tries to give Mark a bit of help as he makes Mark kneel and Melai stand with her back towards Mark. Mark however, had other things in mind, so the cue to propose was missed. Let's just say it's a case of jitters.

Finally as Mark gathers his wits to propose, Melai stands disbelieving the moves away to the astonishment of the whole group. Those few seconds seemed to run on for hours (but the photogs still kept on taking photos). I'm guessing she said yes as they hugged and hugged and hugged...

Thank you to the crew of Lights and Sounds for allowing us to use the vicinity for the surprise. Till next time. :D

Ako Mismo

The Dog Tag Day of the "Ako Mismo" movement was covered by the Flickristasindios. Thanks to the hardwork and persistence of Mr. Third Gonzales and his wife, Teeny Gonzales.

For more photos, check out this Indios thread.

More information about this movement at their official site and in their facebook account.

Dazers Weekend @ Tiaong & Laiya

Spent my weekend with the Days with the Lord, St. Luke's Community (plus Baya) conducting a circumcision mission at Tiaong, Quezon. Upon arriving we were given a pre-tuli meal of longganisa and eggs. Given that I planned to shoot it was a sign that I'd be holding scissors and clamps instead. It had been a while since I've stitched up someone so I had my usual 1st case of jitters. Poor 1st kid.

As the day wore on, the kids kept streaming in and the Dazers started to arrive. The pre-clinic tally was 150 but there were people who kept arriving from far barangays. There were children who were relieved when we told them that they couldn't be circumcised (because of anatomical/pathological reasons) ajd there were others who were relieved for their turn to get it over and done with. There were those who, as soon as they lied down started to cry and those who kept crying despite the anesthesia. There were those who cried "aray" and those who cried "ouch" (maybe because he thought that Baya would understand that). There were those who covered their eyes, some stared into nothingness and one just read the newspaper. There were those who called for their moms and those who called for their dads. I couldn't help but notice that it was the parents who were more excited than the kids.

Past 6, I started to notice that aside form the unlimited patients, we had bottomless supplies. So  circumcision continued until someone asked "Wala na po bang lidocaine?" Sigh. I could finally see the end of the clinic. Then surprise, surprise another bottle of lidocaine surfaced. It was 8 pm. Finally, someone announced "last 12 patients", the disappointed parents (with their relieved kids) finally ended their wait (but without a fight). We thought that they would start to form a picket line outside the hospital. It was finally, 9:30 when we had our dinner of crabs, squid, monggo and of course dinuguan with banana for dessert...

We finally inched our way toward Laiya (Llamar resort) with sleep first thing in our mind but the last thing we did....

Intramuros: test walk

I've been working in the outskirts of Intramuros these past 2 weeks. From the start of my work days, I've planned to bring my camera once I get comfortable with my surroundings. The weather however prevented me from doing so. So seeing that the weather might improve this weekend, I happily obliged to a much needed third person to help on the Saturday OT.

Having accomplished the charts, I proceeded to walk around Intramuros at first heading towards the golf course. There were several tiangges set-up beside the fort, and the place I wanted to go to was courdoned off. The clouds starting to form and drops beginning to fall, I made my way towards San Agustin church instead.

I wanted to walk around and make sure that taking photographs were allowed. With the exemption of a few rooms, taking photos is allowed as long as you don't use flash (I've read, or was it watched, that harsh lights could destroy certain documents and/or paintings). So off I go taking photos (more photos in the next few days).

My main aim today was taking photos inside Casa Manila, challenged by our crushed attempt to take photos before. After a go by the guard, I gleefully took out my camera. A few seconds after however, came throng (ok not actually a throng, a few people maybe) of tourists. So I took a few shots and vowed to return on one of my lunch breaks. Weekday. Less people.

I have a few months to make my rounds in Intramuros. So, cross my fingers, for a few good shots. :)

P.S. I have been experimenting on post-processing my photos.

More on Intramuros:

Discovering Philippines: interesting maps of Intramuros

Within the Wall Enclosure of the City: a correlation of the old structures with the new ones

Wikitravel

Backpacking Philippines and Asia: Intramuros

Ironwulf: San Agustin Church

Traveler on Foot: Casa Manila

Today the Philippines, Tomorrow the World

As part of our highschool evaluation, we had to answer a set of questions which would more or less give us an idea of what our work would be in the future. My probable future would involve lots of traveling. At that point in time, I did think that the evaluation was wrong. I hated shuttling back and forth Manila almost every week. It triggered my vertigo so much that I slept most of the trips and woke up only when we reached our stop-overs or destinations. I never did foresee myself living in Manila my college years and more. I did outgrow my vertigo although it was replaced by migraines. I preferred to travel in daylight so that I can see the places around me and everytime I wished I could drive and stop more often than a bus taking in passengers.

Had I discovered that I could go into photography before I finalized my UPCAT, I would've entered UP Diliman as my first choice instead. I could remember placing architecture as one of my choices but I qualified for my primary choice. Two diplomas plus a year or two, not forgetting a detour I took, I'm finally rekindling my passion for photography and learning that traveling is something that I'd like to do.

After winging it at Anawangin and wanting to go back there again, I decided to see how much of the Philippines I've been to and be graded. It never changed from the first time I took it around a year ago.

My Lakbayan grade is D!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

I'd rather have a higher grade not because I like having high grades but because I'd like to go around and see the Philippines more. Bakpacking would be a great way to do it, haha, but well, let's just see.

Finally climbing out of the grave I've been digging myself realizing that I can have something positive out of what I've been through, I've decided to make the most of this year (before throwing myself back into residency) and the years to come. I'm listing down places I'd like to go/return to (some for personal reasons) and hopefully ,one by one, blog about it.

Anawangin

Angono, Rizal

Antipolo

Batanes

Balatoc

Corregidor

Banaue Rice Terraces

Batan Islands

Caramoan Peninsula

Chocolate Hills, Bohol

Davao

Hundred islands, Pangasinan

La Union

Legaspi City

Malapascua, Cebu

Mt. Pinatubo

Mt. Pulag

Pagudpud

Palawan

Pescador, Cebu

Sabtang, Batanes

Sagada
Siquijor

Subterranian River National Park, Puerto Princessa

Taal lake, Batangas

Tawi-tawi city

Vigan
Zamboanga

Hmmm, now where to go next...

Links:

1. Backpacking Philippines and Asia

2. Vistapinas

3. World Reviewer

4. Lakbay Pilipinas

5. Travel Philippines

6. Addicted to travel

7. Lantaw

8. En route

9. Philippine weather
10. Tropical Paradise of Asia

winging it at anawangin

Anawangin. It's A-na-wa-ngin. Ok say it again. Anawangin. The first photos I saw of this place was of a pristine beach with relatively few visitors. Imagine my surprise as we were approaching the shore, there were tiny dots of people prancing around. Never-the-less, its still a place that I will return to again and again, provided that it remains non-commercialized.

 

The Indios as part of the 2nd year celebration, decided to rough it up and discover Anawangin. Twelve Indios met and crowded an Olongapo-bound bus at Victory Pasay, with Roe joining us at an impromptu MegaMall stop-over (Thanks to Ree Joie's pleading with the bus driver and conductor). We arrive at Pundaquit at the wee hours of Saturday morning after a crazy tricycle race from San Antonio and met up with 5 more Indios. I can still feel the bump-bump-bump as our driver suddenly decides to overtake each and everyone in front of him.

Thanks to the itinerary provided by Sir Allan Barredo, off we go to Capones Island. The choppy waves prevented us from approaching the light-house drop-off point. After a few photos and a group hug, we decide to head to Anawangin to wind down.

Around 20 minutes later we arrive at the shores of Anawangin with dreams of sitting by the beach and chilling out (and for some starting to take paparazzi shots), but lo and behold, we were dropped off at the other end of the beach! Haha. My fingers almost lost circulation from carrying those ice blocks! Thank you Blue Merlin for the help. After pitching tents and occupying 3 tables (a 4th was added after a while) off we go to our own-own adventures.

As for my adventure, well it was more of an escape, it was all well worth it. Just for a while I was able to block off my woes and cares. I miss being there but the good thing is I can go back and I will.

More on Anawangin:
My multiply site

Anawangin Beach Cove by Manilenio

Anawangin Cove: Help spread the word

Anawangin

Anawangin by Ivan About town

One word. Happy.

A few months ago, I was asked for permission to use my photo in a magazine which of course I granted. I promptly forgot about it. a while ago, I was browsing around the internet and decided to "google" my name and one link led me to this site.

Open publication - Free publishing - More fourteen golf

"Happy" is just the word that describes what I feel right now, and that's a lot considering what I've gone through. Thank you Kim Engler (Editor-in-Chief of AAGolf Magazine).

a story on motherhood and some more

My prayers answered when I got home, Amor just gave birth 2 days ago. Every time she gives birth, its either I'm really not able to go home or just left. I miss those days when my pet dogs and cats would let me hold their newborn. I arrived just around 5 in the morning, after going out to take shots of the sunrise and driving around (beginning to be a ritual for me) I placed down my camera and went for the doghouse.

As I stepped out the back door, heard this hissing sound, step, hiss, step, hiss, step, hiss. If that was a snake, I assumed I would've been bitten by now.

So I look around and discover this lonely kitten (her two sibling just being taken by our neighbors). Wondering on why she was so apprehensive, a few seconds later, I see not the cause, but the solution.

Tami catching the "motherhood bug" has apparently taken on the little kitten as her own. The mother-cat, being a stray cat who has taken over our home, has left her kitten to be the surrogate daughter of Tami.

Tami and Amor have this long standing "sibling rivalry", so after running after Tami, I tried to rid myself of Tami's scent, which I guess I didn't need to. For the next few days I was the only human she trusted or brave enough to hold her puppies. The funny thing was even my Dad got the "motherhood bug", he changed the cartons (which served as insulators after being ripped by Amor) many times and worried when he hears the puppies cry. So at least once a day when Amor decides to keep up with the rivalry with Tami, I carry the puppies back home when they stray far from it. I never did do it when Amor was around.

Okay I did it once when Amor was there. She was walking around her 2 pups just in front of their doghouse and she did just that for a few seconds... pace back and forth. Trying to lift them up and then dropping them after a while. Her pups have grown much she cannot bite them without hurting. So off I go as the rain started to fall, lifted the two pups and returned them to their home.

The next day was a surprise to me. We were preparing our breakfast when I heard one of the puppy cry, I looked out to see if Amor or Tami was nearby, Amor was there trying to pick up her pup. I returned to the kitchen but stopped midway when I saw Amor entering the doghouse leaving the pup behind. And then she gave me "that" look. I went out and took the pup and placed her back towards her waiting mom. Good girl, Amor. You trained your master.

detour

It has been days since I last used my camera, unusual for me since I have been able to click away even during my toxic duties. I decided to have a walk and take a few shots. I ended up in this nice "sanctuary" just across my place (I always end up there anyway). They have been renovating for sometime now, I wanted to take photos of the people at work but ended up talking to visitors. It never fails that I meet people who would tell stories of their lives. I wonder... psychology, not a bad choice but in the Philippines... I don't think so.

This place had been a witness to my life and continues to be. Its not my planned visits here that strengthens my faith but my detours, my conversations with strangers, my silence.

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.

-=Ansel Adams=-

my-graine

In the middle of washing my dishes, I get this premonition that I'd be spending my afternoon in the company of my bed. I had this mind numbing, or was it throbbing, idea of sulking it off throughout the rest of the day. After a while my head starts to throb and I turn off every light and sound source. Start to pray that I had access to the coldest room while I try to lull myself to sleep. I used to curse every pain medicine, afraid that I'd be dependent on it. Lately I've decided that my time wouldn't be wasted on migraines. Thirty minutes after taking in one pill, the excruciating pain disappears.

Its not a joke having migraine. Through out my stint in the ER, I realized how these headaches could paralyze one's day. Its classical presentation begins with an aura, then it progresses to this severe one sided headache (from the old enlish "megrim" meaning severe headache). It may be accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light or even sound. I used to induce vomiting as I've learned that sometimes it relieves me of the headache. The downside of that was I was scarring my throat. While treating my patients I soon realized that I should do what I was preaching. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

Migraine has so many triggers and it varies from one person to another. I've encountered people whose trigger included caffeine while I on the other hand found that caffeine relieves me of my headache. Until now I don't know what exactly my triggers are, but one particular ingredient I was able to pinpoint yesterday. Pepper and a certain amount really triggered my migraine.

Here are the most common triggers:

Strong odors/perfumes

Bright lights, loud noises

Changes in sleep/wake patterns

Skipping meals

Alcohol

Menstrual cycle fluctuations

Stress

Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG), or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs, and salami)

Other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products, and fermented or pickled foods

getting there

In an unplanned detour a few days ago, I stayed in a place I thought that I wouldn't last long. I didn't want to return because of so many reasons, but mainly it was because going back makes me miss most of where I used to be. Returning would make me want to go back. But going away was my choice. A difficult one at that. I find myself in regret sometimes because I've chosen to let go of stability and the familiar world. 

The unplanned detour made me let go of the past, though not completely, but I'm getting there.

there's a broken heart that's healing there's a life that has been changed

there are answers to the prayers that you have prayed

when you're sure your soul can't make it one more day

love will find you there and light your way

-=Love will find you there=-

i am in love with the world

The first time I've heard of this song was way back 1997 as a tribute to Princess Di's death. It was the first and last time that I heard the song. The internet hasn't reached the mountains before so I didn't have any other source but the radio. The radio however played Elton John's tribute instead. Thankfully someone had posted this through youtube and hearing the song all-over again reminded me of why I fell in love with the song in the first place.

This song was sung by the Chickenshed Theatre with Lissa Herman as the lead vocal.

I am in love with the world
With its fires and its seas and its pain
I am in love with the world
As it spins round my soul again

CHORUS
I fell in love with the world
When it gave me a place to be (ooh)
You cannot fall out of love
With your world shining through (ooh)
Let your world fall in love with you

With you

You think you're lost to the world
With your life lived in shadows of fear
(Shadows of fear)
Days lost without you too long
No-one close no-one kind no-one near
(No-one near)

You try to hide when your world dies inside
Never fade away (ooh)
Dreams turn to stars so you don't
Lose the end of your day (ooh)
Let your world fall in love with you
With you

I felt your feelings before
And the world tried to pull me through
Through all its time and its space
It is speaking to you

REPEAT CHORUS
Ooh


WORDS AND MUSIC BY COLLINS/MORRALL

walking back home

I went home last week. My cousin, sister and I reached Bauio around 2 am, I immediately went to charge my batteries and after around 2 hours, I went out to take photos. I had 1 hour getting used to the "automatic". That included maneuvering the car in the not-so-narrow street plus listening to my dad's instructions...

Dad: Kabig mo sa kaliwa... (followed by muffled words)
Me: Ano? (sabay kabig sa kaliwa)
Dad: Sa kanan!
Me: (Biglang break tapos di na nakinig ke tatay)

Reminded me of how my Dad's vision was bad specially at night. The 15 minutes of that was trying to detemine how the radio worked! Everything set, I went on to driving, stop and go, trying to determine what "d/d off" meant. Never did know but well with that small amount of time, noted that the car ran better with that light on.

I went to Marcos Highway and watched the sunrise instead. Then braved the backroads and discovered this street that showed a great view of marcos highway.

I reached home eyes getting heavy and went on to sleep the rest of the day. Well, almost.

The next day, I decided to walk instead. I was dropped of Baguio Medical Center, just outside Camp 8.

The last time I walked this route was 18 years ago, the day of the earthquake. I remember passing by this place, 2 landslides have already fallen and we had to walk at the very unstable soil. That was one of the time where I really, really prayed hard. Passing by those landslides while "aftershocks" were happening was the second of the most terrifying experiences I've been through. First on the list was running inside Skyworld (the tallest building back then) while the walls and beams were falling around you.

A few kilometers more is the Camp 8 proper, which gives you the view of why Baguio is cold. :)

It was nice seeing there are still trees. I'm just hoping that there will be remaining trees when I return home.

I discovered this small alley where you had to walk down a steep stairs.

This "denuded" part was there ever since I could remember. All I could say is that those who chose to put up their houses must either be really brave or had great engineers.

Kennon road has been the route or trucks and buses but because of the frequency of landslides, the traffic was limited to those who come from nearby provinces.

To those who know where I live, well you must know how far I had to walk. :)

life without limbs

You may have realized that I've had time in my hands for the past few weeks. Hopefully I'd be able to get "toxic" for the next weeks. Aside from photography, the internet have been my haven. Browsing through different blogs, I've discovered this video from one site. 

Nick Vujicic: life without limbs

A gentle reminder?

An hour ago, I arrived at my apartment and was greeted by an accident scene. It was just a few minutes fresh and the rescue team just arrived. My first instinct was to place down all my things and help. It reminded me too, of how I'm not tied up by rules and regulations anymore. Ate Cora was smiling as she found me wrestling with helping or not. In a little while, there were a crowd gathering and media scampering towards the scene.

It was a head-on collision between a jeepney and a van. The van being on the wrong lane. Of the 2 drivers, the one who drove the van was in a more emergent condition. The "usiseros" told us that the driver looked like he was drunk or dazed and the paramedics thought that he had a fracture in his extremities.

A few minutes after extracting the driver, a second ambulance came and carried the less critical. That few minutes was also when the traffic started to build up. The victims were lucky that the response was fast.

It was a gentle reminder of drinking and driving. There is more than just your life that is affected.

It was a gentle reminder for me too. Had I chosen to alight in front of my apartment building, I could've been involved. Had I been a few minutes earlier, I could've been involved. It could've been me.

Time

Author Unknown

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who has failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who has given birth to a pre-mature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE DAY, ask a daily wage laborer who has kids to feed.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who has missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who has avoided an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND, ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.
Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you
shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time ...
and remember that time waits for no one. . . Yesterday is history
Tomorrow a mystery Today is a gift That's why it's called the present!

Congratulations

Congratulations to the board passers. (Physician Licensure Examinations February 2009)

Cheers!

Filipino Cuisine, Nationality or Identity?

A brief background. Anthony Bourdain is revered when it comes to food and everything that surrounds food. He is the host of No Reservations which showcases a variety of cuisine. I'm not going to speak like I have known of him and the show for months and months. I have learned of him when Marketman wrote about Anthony Bourdain visiting the Philippines. Marketman being involved was enough to pique my interest in the episode which aired February 16. Having no cable, I had to wait for blogs to come up with their reactions and of course the ever reliable youtube for the video. Hearing that the lechon came out number one in AB's heirarchy of pork was enough for me to be proud of the Filipinos behind this episode. What I didn't expect was the whole lot of reactions that stemmed out of the episode. While some of them are true, a lot of the comments were unwarranted. I won't write them here. One comment though was enough to cause a deluge of reaction that I wasn't able to read (some of them were deleted by marketman) and another post by Marketman.

Here are my reactions (edited to some extent) to some of the comments:

1. Reading through the comments from AB’s blog reminds me of what happened to the Philippines which I’ve learned in history class, where the government had to build walls and paint over them to cover the shanties.

2. If AB really liked to showcase the “lively” Filipino, I think his research would have shown the countless fiestas the Philippines have, and he would have gone to one. Could it be said that there are also the “timid” Filipino? We have are term “Maria Clara”. Isn’t that part of being a Filipino?

3. Kudos to Augusto for having enough Filipino Pride to send his videotape and represent the Philippines. If I was a follower of AB, I wouldn't even think of sending a video or if I did sending another after I have been rejected.

AND who would be comfortable in front of the camera and having relatively strangers around you watching and listening what you do and say? I know I wouldn’t.

4. Honestly, the reactions and Calfran’s comment, made me think if I could represent the Filipino heritage well. I can’t. It also made me think how very much of a Filipino I am. I’m writing in english and that says something.

P.S.

I'm laughing at myself now. And here we are Filipinos, couldn't agree about something and endlessly criticizing someone who's brave enough to call himself one. No wonder, the Philippines couldn't move forward as a nation.

I do agree with Calfran in that when AB said "“the problem is is that Filipinos are too damn nice…to forge an identity". It hits you in the gut. But I'm not going to blame other people for this. I blame myself.

capture a heart

February 14 is a not so special day for me, popularly renamed as single awareness day, I tend not to celebrate it at all. As I previously posted, a group I belong to, flickristasindios decided to celebrate this day with children from Payatas. Nothing more to keep me dusy, I decided to postpone my trip back home and celebrate the day with them.

The activity started with a prayer and then Sir Jun introduced his "hearts" to the children. I started to take his photo but as he started to talk, decided to listen instead. He opened his narrative with the concept of this day being a day of hearts, of love. Proceeding to show the children of different hearts, I forgot to take photos.

I am always entranced when it comes to children singing songs and seeing them gleefully participating. After a round of songs, the children were given not just a meal, they had 2nds and 3rds too.

One of the children I noticed was Angelito, a 1 year old boy, who wouldn't smile. I wouldn't fault him as seeing him, I could see mouth sores, and probably with the size of his belly he would have worms. I gave the multivitamins to his mother and was satisfied that Angelito was smiling more after a while.

Being sponsored by a photography group, the day didn't end without a group shot. :P

Other Photos here:

capture a heart album

A timely distraction

In an effort to divert out attention from our predicament, my friend wanted to watch ANY movie. "Gusto ko manuod ng sine." She said with finality. And true to our theory that the most likely gimmick to push through are the unplanned ones, off we go to watch Marley and Me. It was a pleasant surprise. It wasn't a movie that centered on Jennifer Aniston nor was it a movie about a dog. It is not for people who love dogs. Its a movie for people who've raised, cared, nurtured a dog for a part of their life. This I dare say, anyone who have NEVER cared for a dog won't relate much to the movie.

The movie is based on an autobriography of Jenny and John Grogan (Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson) which spans from the couple as newly weds to their life as parents of 3 children. It follows John as an aspiring journalist unexpectedly finding success in being a columnist. Marley, playing a key part in their lives. The film effectively showed the relationship between Marley and the family without having one character dominate over the other. Yes, it wasn't just any other Jennifer Aniston film.

It's not that I am a big fan of "feel-good" movies, but because I can recognize myself in some parts of the movie, that I was glad of our unplanned gimmick. Maybe one day I can say that, as John said in his job interview, "I surprise myself" too.

Capture a Heart

Flickristasindios is a group of people bonded together because of photography. An active group in flickr with their regular photo shoots, regular walks and HMTs (Happy Mamam Thursdays), the group is organizing its 3rd Outreach Program: Capture A Heart in conjunction with the Philippine Red Cross. On the 14th of February, a feeding project will be held at the Payatas Area, Quezon City. 

moving on...

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle.

-=Thich Nhat Hahn=-

Last thursday, I joined a group of photographers assist Sir Ryan take photos of patients who've gone through the ails of cancer. I just wanted to observe and didn't expect to be one of the people to take photos. As I walked into the conference room, I took a really really big step back. It was a sea of people, and wheelchairs. It was overwhelming as i've avoided crowds for these past few days. I am glad though, I've met new friends. Learned a lot about life. I have known of people with cancer, but as patients or cases, not as someone who is going through or have gone through difficulties. One thing I've noticed was that it was hard making them smile, they had this aura of something I can't quite explain. Perhaps I'd never be able to understand until I've walked  beside them or in their shoes.

I'm looking forward to the day...

"The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth."


-=Dorothy Frances Gurney=- 

I was walking through the zoo at Quezon City Park's and Wildlife and saw this beautiful eagle looking towards a few children playing. I was trying to include the children but while I was looking through the lens, I noticed this frame. I noticed throughout the year of having taken photographs, I favor photos with contrasts, specially of light and the absence of it. The looking and waiting for the right moment and clicking the shutter is where I find solace.


As with my previous posts, I look forward to the day I find the answers to my questions. I look forward to everything being in the past. I'm learning my lesson.