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

Beyond the Daily Grind

This hybrid week of Sept x Oct is a whole new frenzy but before I jump into that, I allotted a cozy space in my day to whip up a post and process the week that was. 

Reviewing photos has been a form of navigation for me. Somewhat giving me an idea of where I was the moment I clicked the shutter to reveal a path to the where I am right now- in my pajamas with my messy hair, still half-asleep and half-writing this entry. And so I pick up from where I left off.

This is series #2 of Days and Confused :)

Grow with the Flow: Malapascua, Cebu

Have you had those moments that you would like to live in and experience a little more? Stretching them a little longer than the usual pace of how things would normally flow?

But of course, the world returns to its usual programming and carries you on to the next show. You are left with the memories of the details (the who, what, where, when, and how) and the feeling...  and then eventually, just the feeling. Or for some people, just the details.

This is Not a Hopeless Case

So my cousins and I were by the lake. Out of the blue, a raft presented itself to us, complete with paddle. Of course, we said yes to the invitation.

We drifted until noon along with the prayers in Filipino broadcasted from the church nearby.

"Aba Ginoong Maria, napupuno ka ng gracia..."

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?

Weekend Project Meets Japan!

A lot of things are happening, and I'd like to see this as a good sign. I'm writing this in between packing my bags for another trip, running errands, in between shoots, coffee breaks, and catching up with good friends.

As with everything and everyone I want to remember, let me at least give this a shot so I could make sense and sew together seemingly disparate stories. There are moments that you just want to pause and live in, to capture as they happen in order to believe they actually did. 

I look at the calendar and it's been a month since this happened- just an exhibit of how this "time" thing has a funny way of somewhat making us feel guilty.

An Ode to My Kit Lens

Because I am talkative in person, pen, and (hopefully) in photograph- and since I feel guilty flooding Facebook feed with my essay-like posts, I might as well put this into better use. 

I just turned a year older several days ago and I've decided that this year, given my abnormally high tolerance for awkward and bizarre situations, I'm subjecting myself to some personal as well as social experiments. I guess this blog is one of them.

Love on Top

My mom loves telling me stories of how she and my father used to date when they were younger. Although I usually cringed at the idea, secretly I like hearing about them because they gave me a sense of why I am the way I am today. 

One of the stories I'd always remember was the time when my father would fetch my mother during rainstorms. They would drive around in their small car to see what the storm looks like. As they rolled around town this one time, a lightning literally stroke down a tree causing it to collapse right in front of their car. They looked at each other, and I could imagine them saying "cool". They both operated on adrenaline rush.

On other less unusual days they would go to the circus, watch films at the Film Center (because according to my mom, they refused to see movies in "normal cinemas". You know, back when hipster wasn't mainstream yet (haha), listen to lounge music, or simply just explore.

Singapore Biennale and Mini Trips to Art Friend

When I was in college I didn't get the chance to study Fine Arts so I tried my best to learn on my own. I've always been an advocate of DIY learning. 

Aside from my academic load, part-time job, organizations and extra-curriculars, I'd take the time to go to the library and research on art movements, theories, and history (just 'cause I wanted to). Also, once a week I'd visit wood sculptor, Jerusalino Araos, in his home, sanding, shining, and grinding wood sculptures as he passed on to me what he learned about art as well. Much like Tuesdays with Morrie, only it was Wednesdays and I felt a little more bad ass with my wood grinder and mask on while wearing short shorts. 

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.

What the Human Body Can

It has always been interesting... what the human body can do. 
I've always wondered to what extent will it bend, flex, break, endure.

I've recently attended this wonderful performance. 
Bodies bending in impossible degrees, twisting in ways I can't imagine, enduring pressure. 

Above all it's amazing, the amount of weight it can hold. Weight that it shouldn't, but through will, it suddenly could.

It's beautiful. And we just keep on surpassing our perceived limits. 

Kamusta Ka?

Kamusta ka?

It has been a while since I last saw you, but I still remember how beautiful you are. 

Bohol, this view of yours is breathtaking.

Bantay at Tambay (Series #1)

Bantay at Tambay is a series of photos 

of people at work, people with free time, 

people at work together with people with free time, 

and people at work with free time.

The first of this experimental series was taken in the world's oldest Chinatown, Binondo.

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.