An enlightenment I picked up somewhere for this covidlization: The World says “PANIC, PANIC EVERYTHING IS OUT OF CONTROL” The Buddhist says “Relax, relax, everything is out of control” ___ There is a healing process going on. Silent and painful. I have to look back at the Egongots. See if there is a sign of … Continue reading THE EGONGOTS
We shall stop talking about death and think about life for a while. Continue reading IN PHOTOS: LA TRINIDAD VALLEY HARVEST
Home quarantine an ordeal for you? For street photographers, it’s twice the agony. I was aching to see the empty streets of Manila yesterday, and got the opportunity (and legitimate reason) to drive around so. The feel was incredibly eerie. The barren city seemed like a lay of the land unknown to us. Driving was … Continue reading BINTANA PHOTOGRAPHY: WHEN YOU HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD BUT CAN’T GO OUT
On this day in 2008, I started malate.wordpress.com. In glorification of Manila’s finest district: Malate. My adopted battleground. Ironically, today, on this same date, and for an ordinary reason, I am leaving the place. After twelve years of residency. Let me see. I have been to Malolos. I have been to Quezon city. I have … Continue reading HOMELESSNESS
If you are an Enrich Magazine reader you might find me on page 79 of this month’s issue — very miniscule in the background. Or you might not. Earlier today, I received a surprise message from Rose Castillo of the Isabelita Rosueta Organization (IROG). She texted me about our outreach program last October which was … Continue reading OF CHARITY AND PHOTOGRAPHY
The night before the Taal Volcano eruption, a huge fire broke out at the Legazpi Tower, right across our office building. I joined the crowd of firefighters and usiseros hoping for a photo-journalistic shot of the chaotic scene. I, the social mediaman. Unfortunately, no shot was up for keeps. Not even a facebookable one. I … Continue reading OF CALAMITY AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Harrison Plaza signing off December 31, 2019. End of an era. Along with it, a mess of memories. Here’s my collection of random images of HP scenes spanning ten years ago onwards. The ones easily available at hand. Although not really a photographer’s shangri-la, I am nevertheless glad to have taken some time for aimless … Continue reading HARRISON PLAZA ONE LAST SHOT
Find out how the years have passed you by, simply by seeing how your once revered pop idols grow old. I’ve just watched a senior citizened Depeche Mode on Youtube. Another way to be cognizant of the “feebling in years”, is to observe odd sleeping habits. When I was a little boy I would wake … Continue reading EVENING SHADOWS
It’s not easy being a photowalk leader. Specially when you are herding big names in Philippine photography: Arlene Donaire, Linus Escandor, Ka Art de Vera Jr. and so on. You have to please these guys. And the rest of the pack. How did they end up in my walk is like, all the gin bars … Continue reading PHOTOWALK PAETE
I’m taking the annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk (SKWWPW) in Paete, Laguna on Saturday, October 5, 2019. Photographers, street photographers, travel photographers, amateurs, pros, hobbyists, or simply looking around. If you are somewhere near, this is your chance to photowalk the place. Paete is a good place for photography. An artisan’s realm. The Carving Capital … Continue reading THIS MESSAGE WILL SELF DESTRUCT IN FIVE DAYS. PHILIPPINE TIME.
What is it with convenience stores always asking for smaller bills — when I don’t have small bills nor large bills. Thirty years ago, I would drop in a convenience store with only a small bill, and I could bring me home a pack of bread, cheese, a can of milk, cake mix, and so … Continue reading ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM LACSON STREET
Jun Jacolbe is not my mentor. Not even my idol. I don’t really know the man. But he transformed the way I view photography forever. Unwittingly. One day not too long ago, I sat on a banquet table across this gray-haired gray-goateed stranger, eavesdropping on his conversation with another guy about black and white street … Continue reading PARTING SHOT
The Cereal Killer and I used to walk around town before sundown. No complaints, no objections. Because for every disciplined effort there is a 7-Eleven treat. But that was long ago. The kid doesn’t live here anymore. What we have here now is a 14-year-old couch potato. Still notorious for cereals though. But lost in … Continue reading SLEEPWALK
But first congratulations to the Manileños. Finally, a break. As a resident, commuter, consumer, photowalker from Malate, I share everyone’s sentiment: Manila is in decay. Nabubulok na. The city is wasting away. Manila has become a sewage. Manila is now a dump. Manila is No. 1 in the world’s shittiest cities. And so on. All … Continue reading DEAR ISKO MORENO, ARE YOU THE ANSWER TO OUR BATSIGNAL
