Becoming

My dad grew up in San Juan and we've practically lived here since I was in grade school. I often ask my dad what it's like to grow old with the same people and to witness how life has unfolded for them so far. What does it feel like to see how a person becomes?

Having the opportunity to photograph our neighbors has somehow given me a new connection to my dad's past (and present) and a new way of relating to our little community in Pasadena.

Boy Cobra (left) and Joseph (right) are just two among those people. 

Will be posting a photo series soon, together with our group, Weekend Project :) 

State of the Nation

The king of the jungle used to be free and was very much capable of hunting for its food. But a whole system was created so that the lion ended up depending on this system for its every meal.

Let's get real. 

Who benefits more from this zoo?

Vegetable Ears

Kids and vegetables do not usually make the best match (at least that's what they portray in media), but seeing this field makes me believe that growing up near the sky and in a bed of strawberries, lettuce, and flowers is one of the best places to spend your childhood.

I came across these two kids hopping around with vegetable ears... and I wanted to join them, naturally. 

I actually asked my father if I could go back there someday to be a strawberry picker. He didn't know how to respond. He knows that I'm serious when I say these things. ;)

By the Shore

I had a lot of time to wait by the shores of Baler. I even had plans of recording the sound of the waves to bring home with me (also for added effect since I'm at the beach and alone, feeling artsy and profound. ooohh. haha).

But my so-called solitude was disturbed when these kids suddenly arrived. They live near the shore and this huge rock (twice the size of this cropped photo). With immense pride, they told me they've memorized these rocks and shores at the back of their hands. This has been their playground.

Within and Without

It took me several sleepless nights and over-labored tear ducts just to stretch my throat into a black hole void enough to swallow my words, my ego, and my pride. They've grown the size of galaxies probably larger than the milky way.

Let us take some time to get out of ourselves for a while.

Let this be the time.