Rain Rain Go Away. . .

When people expect raindrops, they expect flooded roads and suspended classes. People are often inconvenienced by rain that whenever raindrops fall we feel exasperated. But not all people are sad and annoyed when the clouds starts its downpour mania.  For street children, flooded roads are public water parks that brings them momentary enjoyment and amusement. These children do not have any concept of dirt or even danger. For them these murky waters are big swimming pools and the jeeps their playmates. They don’t mind the danger of infection and traversing vehicles. For them the rain is a joyous occasion, an escape from the monotonous scene of honks and noise. This is a picture of street children taking a dip in this very dirty water flooding the roads near Manila City Hall. Only children with colourful imagination can truly find beauty in a sticky predicament such as this.  

Shackled Freedom

No doubt you’ve already encountered different kinds of vendors. Some of these people belong to the most resourceful breed in this world. Their resourcefulness is born out of necessity. They have the ability to seize the moment just to make a quick buck for a day’s survival. Shown in the picture is a vendor selling flag because June 12’13 is the Philippine’s Araw ng Kalayaan, or Independence Day. To get into the spirit of nationalism, he sells flags to onlookers and participants of the celebratory event; even he can’t stop himself from being amazed at the band corps musical show. People like these are true testament of the luxury of freedom or even the lack of it. They have the luxury of freedom because they are not bound to pay sales taxes and they get to be mobile when it comes to places where they are going to make a sale; yet they are not free because they are bound by the shackles of poverty. This picture is taken in the grounds of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Philippines during the 115^th Independence Day celebration.

Smoky Silence

We are consumed daily by our need to earn a living. From time to time, our busyness in life is stilled by moments of empathy and sorrow, not for ourselves but towards people around us. I have been living the city life for a long time now; long enough to know that amidst the self-serving declaration by the government of progress, there are just too many people who cannot relate to the same. Whenever we see people who are struggling to earn meagre money just to get by, we consider ourselves lucky. In that moment, we feel grateful for the things that we have and these things are usually the ones that don’t bring us satisfaction (or so we think). Yet, our empathy towards street people does not compel us to reach out and help them. For the most of us, our concern only reaches as far as our mind; no material execution is ever extended. Perhaps, in our little way, we should bring awareness to poverty; enough awareness to reach the right minded people who really have the responsibility to take care of them. 

On my way home, I saw this woman lying in the concrete barrier, presumably taking an afternoon nap. She endures the noise of engines and honking horns. For her, these noises are lullabies drowning out the thoughts of hunger.  As the jeep gets closer, I noticed that inside the blanket, she was hugging her pet dog. In her poverty stricken situation, she finds solace in the comfort of a four-legged friend who will unquestionably be there for her especially during the darkest of night. This photo is taken in the streets of Taft Avenue, Malate. 

Four Legged Love

Who wouldn’t one to come home to excitement and 100% missed you attitude?  Your pet dog can definitely strike that feeling in you.  Truly, dogs are man’s best friend because they never answer back and they tolerate pretty much every silly bone in your body.  But raising a dog is not limited to just feeding it; it should be accompanied by love, respect and monthly vaccinations. For dog lovers, it’s important to know your dog’s behaviour.  Most of the time they’re like children, they need attention. Well, our pets are receptacles of all the different kinds of attention. For their tolerance let’s always reward them with hugs and pats on the head; and of course lots and lots of doggie biscuits.  This is a shot of my favourite companion Tequila, who patiently sleeps at the foot of the bed. My security blanket chasing my nightmares away. Just got to love dogs.

Innocent Delight

Perhaps summer is the most exciting season for every child. No scholarly demanding work and all the free time in the world to play and wear a carefree attitude.  For a child who has yet to learn the practicalities of language and is dependent on the unconditional love of parents, every season is a summer vacation.  To watch a child find joy in the simplest moments like eating an ice cream is a delight in the eyes and in the senses.  It’s a reminder to our maturing and tired heart that indeed the best things in life are free; that the simplest and purest of joys can be experienced by living the moment and knowing that life will always open doors for you at the most unexpected of times.  The boy eating an ice cream is a true testament that indeed the simplest actions can bring utmost joy.  Nico is indeed wise even in his toddler age.  This photo is taken in Jotay Resort stationed in the magnificent beach of Sta. Ana, Cagayan. 

The Tie That Binds

This image shows 5 men from the Joson family pulling a vehicle size cart or what is known in the Philippines as karosa during the celebration of the Lent season. The karosa carries a life-size statue of Saint John the Apostle, the patron saint of the Joson family. These 5 men pulls the karosa in participation of a procession where different life-size statues of saints are likewise paraded all over the town of Sta. Isabel. In this procession, some of the devotees pull this heavy karosas while others pray in celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The image captured the staunched dedication of the Roman Catholics to their faith and beliefs and the devotion of a family bounded not only by faith but also of love. This photo was taken during a procession undertaken every season of Lent in the town of Sta. Isabel, Malolos City, Bulacan, Philippines. 

Wasted Gold

The proliferation of tourists in one place also means the increase in the problem of garbage disposal. Most tourists do not have environmental etiquette and would just indiscriminately leave their plastic bottles and food wrappers along the beach. This is the reason why the local government implements a strict garbage waste disposal policies on hotel and accommodation establishments. However, not all people see the existence of garbage as a nuisance. Seen in the picture is a man scavenging for plastics floating along the beach in the early morning where the heat of the sun is still tolerable. The man gathers these plastic bottles and cans and sells them to the local junk shop as means of earning extra income. The picture is a solemn image showing the resourcefulness and cleverness of a man when it comes to profit-making activities. This image was taken along the majestic beach of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.