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 :) 

Be Brave With Your Life

I look back to check if the trail I left behind somehow still leads to where I came from. I make sure not to confuse them with someone else's. I then continue moving forward, trying to chase light.

It's a vital practice, I believe, especially for those who've been lost countless times, but have somehow managed to create a home wherever they ended up finding themselves in.

Right now, looking at where I'm standing, with feet firm to the ground, something tells me I've been feeling my way to the right direction all along. "My dear", 
I convince myself, "there is really nothing to be scared of."  
I could no longer count how many times I've told myself, 
"You are strong, Jen". And every time, I believe.
I guess I have no choice but to be. Anyway, this should be fun :)

New Year has this funny, ritualistic nature. I've picked out 23 photos as part of my personal ceremony in tracing the constellation of events that somehow form an image of my 2014.  

Deciding to develop a set of habits and workflow to eliminate "not having enough time" as an excuse for not doing things I've always wanted to do.

Being given the chance to present/showcase our documentary at the Visual Documentary Festival in Kyoto University. 

And finding greater honor in being given the trust and the chance to share a story about the Agta-Dumagat-Remontados indigenous group of General Nakar, Quezon.

That surreal feeling of being in another country and experiencing a whole new landscape and culture. Also, realizing that gloves, scarves, and thermal wear exist for a very good reason. (Kyoto, Japan, March 2014)

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 :)

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.