Wala (pa) akong bago

  One thing I liked about practicing street photography is that I get to go back to the basics. With humbling yet tired equipment and just basically my interest for pursuing the thing made a rush inside my soul rumbling. Well, I'm not starting to complain with the gears I'm using. It's been almost 4 years since I have them and I find it really hard to get new ones (for the reason I don't know why). Couple of years back, I attended a photojourn seminar at the University of Santo Tomas and had an chance to listen to Aaron Favila, photographer for Associated Press Manila, and left me with these words that I know I'd always keep in mind.

          "Upgrading your knowledge is better than upgrading your equipment."

   Considering I have enough allowance from college to save up and get myself a new camera, still I invested in other interests I have back then. I've always thought of, "pwede naman pa naman 'to" and the countless "hihiram na lang ako kay ano ng lente" for college pressworks. The first camera I bought with my money was a Canon point-and-shoot (that I already gave to my cousin as a gift) and a 50mm lens for my Nikon which was not compatible (no auto focus huhu) to the body. Which is why I think I sucked at getting myself one. The gears I'm using are all second-hand mostly from my cousins (lucky and spoiled me) and a gift from an uncle. I'm really tempted to have a mirrorless one or something that's pretty handy but I don't know.

   I think, for now I have to settle for what I have and endure the weight of my gear. What matters is still I get to learn from them, not just about photos and stories but also about the funny thing they call life. The thought of appreciating they years and ultra amazing things I had with my camera, all the places we've been to, all the people we've talked to and all the stories we shared and stored. Just because I'm starting to think twice about getting a new one doesn't mean I'm throwing everything we had. Maybe I should consider, or maybe I should just continue.

 Pwede pa naman.

Hiling ng mga chikiting

Sa umuusbong na turismo ng Vigan, isa lang ang hiling ng mga magkakaibigang sina April (11), Lovely (10), Maria (9), Kate (9), Mark Lito (7), Shailyn (7) at Chris- tine Rose (6) ng Brgy 3, Planta, Vigan Ilocos Sur; ang magkaroon ng bago at mas malawak na laru- an para sa kanilang mga bata.   

"Maraming naglalaro sa may plaza, eh. Kailangan pa namin silang hintayin matapos, kaso ang tagal nila. Kaya dito na ang kami minsan. Sana nga playgroud na lang ang dito, kaso, mall ata ang ga- gawin dito, eh.” pahayag ni April. 

Ito ang tanging nais ng mga bata sa matandang lugar ng Vigan.

5th Place, Photojournalism - Filipino
15th Luzon-wide Higher Education Press Conference
Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Feb2016

Pandin Lake

Backpacking at Cagbalete

Of  low tide and tour guide

I was there to look for solitude, but I found humility, smiles and Kenneth’s diary.

            Off coast Mauban, Quezon is an island where I think I found the most courteous Filipinos. It was a solo-backpacking to Cagbelete, I had no itinerary but as I walk with Kenneth I begin to look for things to do and people to talk to next time I go back to Cagbalete. He was barefoot as he toured me to Sitio Relocation and kept on talking as I capture photos of their paradise.  He was telling stories on how he accommodated tourists before and when he noticed how delighted I was to their island, he murmured, “Ma’am, pasensya na ayan lang po ang magpipiktyuran niyo dito, marami pa po kasing kulang sa lugar namin, ‘eh.”





            I placed my camera inside my pocket and in that moment I realized he was really trying to tell me something. He talks swiftly but very descriptive about his stories, then I asked him what he wants to be: ‘news reporter’ he proudly says.  He told me he was joining news writing in Division Schools Press Conference back in Manila and reads Encyclopedia. I was buying my food for dinner as he hurried to their house and got his diary named ‘Jhoter’

Dear Jhoter,

Jhoter, I have a news for you, bad news, there’s a typhoon here in the Philippines and it entered Philippine Area of Responsibility and its name is ‘Lando.’ It moves North-West but unfortunately Jhoter I forgot how fast in kph the wind moves. As of today, its Signal No. 3 on Polilio Island and in nearby place.  Small boats are not allowed by Coast Guards to sail and even public boats for transportation. Stores are running out of stocks because they could not sail to the city due to strong waves brought by Amihan.

‘Til next time, Jhoter
#WeatherForecast
#TyphoonLando
#DeliciousJampongWithCalamansi

           I asked if could browse his diary, he nods. Surprisingly, his diary was not filled with girls name but instead I found a list pasted on a page. It was a list of facilities and equipment the island of Cagbalete needs on a perspective of a 15-year old. Kenneth was not an ordinary tour guide that brags about stunning places but rather a mindful youth about issues and development. 

         
   
Dear Jhoter,

You know Jhoter, if I will just be the Mayor in this province, my first project would be improving and developing the island of Cagbalete. A number of tourists are growing according to a survey of tourism office in Mauban and because of that we need the following.

1. Electricity
2. Transportation
3. Pier
4. Free Wifi
5. School for College level
6. Market Area
7. Police Station
8. Hospital (for emergency)
9. Highway
10. Gasoline Station
11. Grocery Items
12. New Church (Catholic only)
13. Runway for Airplane
14. Feeding program for kids
15. Gym Area
16. Barber Shop
17. Signal
18. New Basketball Court
19. ATM
20. LBC
21. Cleaning Operation Team


            It was a short yet sincere talk with Kenneth, right after taking me to the resort, he immediately left to fetch other tourists. Kenneth’s list was a bucket list for the government and community of Cagbalete to check. Before I fix my stuff, I went back to Sitio Relocation, roamed around and see the list for myself. As I take photos, people were smiling at me as if they were really glad I had come to document their community. It was 6:15 and the lights were blinking because the whole neighborhood is just sharing on generators, I remembered I have to go back and walk for a kilometer from Sitio Relocation to the resort. Transport service is just exclusive for customers of another resort and some drive around with motorcycle, there are no tricycle for public land transportation. At the altar of their well-lit chapel was a candle, only when missionaries come to the island they would celebrate mass. They have an elementary school with 4 classrooms while a 2-storey building for high school. Children are enjoying time playing rubber bands and sands and just totally chatting and laughing every single time.


 


            As if a camera is always pointing to Cagbalete, everyone always smiles back to you.

            What I learned from Cagbalete was to develop a mindset that places could change you. You don’t just take pictures, you strive to hear their voice and smell their spirit of hospitality. Kenneth was right, there’s no reason to just keep shut about the problems and issues, it has to be expressed and addressed in any manner so that a simple action could take part until change can be felt. So don’t stop on sharing your stories like the ocean tries to keep in touch with the shoreline. 

Matutong dumistansya..

Luna

Para sa akin, ang buwan ang isa sa mga pinakamalulungkot na bagay. Yayakapin ngunit iiwanan ng mga ulap, sasayawan ngunit iiwanan ng mga stars. Hays.

Pagsulat: Kahulugan

"Ador! Labas!"

Sabi ni Ser Jun makikita raw sa katahimikan ang pagsusulat ngunit taliwas ito sa aking karanansan ilang taon na ang nakalipas. Pinalabas ako ng Technical Writing teacher ko noong hayskul dahil dumadaldal ako habang nagtuturo siya. 'Yun na ata ang pinakaunang beses na napahiya at pinalabas ako sa klase. Akala siguro ng guro ko, isa lang akong maingay na estudyanteng walang ibang alam gawin kundi ang dumaldal at kumain.. Pagkatapos ng insidenteng 'yun, halos ganun na lang parati ang pinaparamdam sa akin ng aking guro.

Ngunit hindi niya ako kilala. 

Sumunod na araw na noon ang mga writing activity namin. Pinatunayan ko sa aking mga sinulat na hind ako ang ganung klase ng tao na iniisio niya. Sa apat na sanaysay na naisulat ko doon, tatlo 100 tas 98 lang 'yung isa. Huhu.


Ngunit kulang pa. 

Sinubukan kong sumali at magsulat din sa aming pahayagan kung saan nakapagtrabaho ako bilang Literary Editor at Photojournalist sa loob ng 3 taon.

Hindi ko malilimutan ang galit at tiwalang binigay sa akin ng guro kong iyon. Binigyan niya ako ng pagkakataong sumali sa Division School Press Conference upang sumali sa Photo Story na hindi ko alam ang gagawin dahil hindi naman ako talaga sumasali sa mga ganun.

Nawala ang guro kong iyon sa aming paaralan noong lumaban ako sa DSPC. Lumipat siya ng ibang paaralan. Nagulat na lang ako ng isang araw nasa Lucban, Quezon kami para sa Regional Schools Press Conference, may pamilyar na boses ang tumawag sa akin.

"Ador, ang ingay mo pa rin."

Sa huling pagkakataon, pinagalitan pa rin niya ako at sinabing humanga raw siya sa aking ingay.

Yung mga sitwasyon na 'yan ang nakapagbago ng aking perspektibo ukol sa buhay at sa pagsusulat. Na ang kahalagahan ng pagsusulat ay paraan ng pagpapakilala mo sa mga taong hindi ka pa kilala. Hindi pagyayabang ngunit paglablabas ng nararamdaman upang mas maintindihan ka, mas makilala ka, mas makausap ka, mas mahalin ka.

Oo at pupulaan ka sa iyong pagsusulat. Sasabihan ng kung au-ano at hihigitin ng ibang tao. Ang mahalaga'y naisulat mo, naibahagi mo at bahala na itong umikot kasabay ng mundo.