Korea Photo Diary

I've been trying to organize photos in my archive as a way to categorize and maybe even dust off bits and pieces of memories as I always do when I take some time off from the daily grind- because I'm sentimental that way. K.


This is a major throwback from our prod'n company's trip to South Korea: reminiscing Koreanovela-esque walks around chilly Myeongdong, the incredible street food selection (ohmygod the cheesy baked clams and giant strawberries!!!), getting googley-eyed at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul (note to self: always allot at least 2 days when visiting a museum), the streets of Itaewon lined with gay bars and happy drunks (good times, indeed), all-out dancing- partially due to the magical combination of Soju and Aloe Vera juice, and part celebration of finally a non-working vacation.

Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony, Gyeongbokgung PalaceGyeongbokgung PalaceStreet Performers, HongdaeGyeongbokgung PalaceGyeongbokgung PalaceGyeongbokgung Palace

On the Road

"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” -Jack Kerouac

A beautiful little girl inside a Manobo Hut, Butuan City 

A kid who went up a tree and came down with a bird, Leyte

Tell Me a Story of Your Youth: Batanes Photo Diary

Tell me a story of your youth.

I'd like to know your wildest dreams. How was your first encounter with rain, sunburn, sand, and ocean? Tell me about the time when worry was not yet in your vocabulary. What was your nickname back then?  Do you remember your deepest wounds? Mine was on my left knee. I still admire the scars until now. 

"To Bigger and Bigger Things..."

Don't you just love the feeling of take off? 

Every time I'd get on a plane, I'd remember my very first plane ride when I was young. I saved up my measly allowance for a trip with my mom and my sister. 

Since we were young, we were trained to take care of our own expenses, as we didn't have much money. I'd like to think that early on, I learned how to be responsible. I also learned that I was meant to move. 

That first plane ride will be one of my most important memories. 

We were on our way to Hong Kong. 

Lanikai: Davao Photo Diary

This is my first time to visit Mindanao. This is also my last shoot out of town for LISTED this year. I'm glad that a 'first' and a 'last' both happened at quiet Lanikai. 

In Hawaiian, it means "heaven by the sea". Having traced the word's origin, I learned that it came from Ka'ohao, which conveys "tying or joining together". 

I find it a charming metaphor. 

Space-Time Continuum

How can it be

that after all that Time that separated us, 

literally amounting to half of our lives;

and all that vast physical space

- of oceans, borders, and continents- placed between us...

still, the first thing we told each other when we finally met again is "you haven't changed."

Life Aquatic

I haven't written anything in a while. I need time to sit still and stay in one place. I don't have that luxury yet.
In a few minutes, I leave again, but at this moment, I know I have to steady my thoughts. 

Back in the city for a few days and even when I'm in the city, I find myself daydreaming about the sea.

Hang Loose

Days... and Confused (Series #1)

As a magnet to random and frenzied experiences- both intended and impromptu, it's nice (and sometimes confusing) to find oneself in varied settings. From strangers' homes, to barber shops, to film sets lit by kino flo's and 2K lights, to the middle of the sea- sometimes all in just 1 week. There's this small yet tugging voice that begs me to document these days. And so I heed.

Every once in a while I meet up with my friend, Kel, to have our usual Life Update. When our personalities combine, the weird-o-meter just goes way up and it explodes into many possibilities.

Our go-to spot is a sidewalk curb, hands both clasping on a 5-peso cup of coffee from a vendo machine. Thank god for these things, we do not have to pay for a hundred and fifty just to sit down and talk. Although I appreciate a "good cup", most of the time it's not so much the coffee as the company.

Last "session", we threw a dart at our imaginary map and it landed on the hand-painted sign of Ailynn's Beauty Salon. If you've found yourself (drunk or sober) in Cubao X, you've surely noticed the quaint parlor at the back corner. Or maybe you haven't. It's just there, minding its own business and doing a great job at it. 

Peace, Party, Phuket

I remember thinking to myself the night before the trip, 

"Well, this should be interesting".