you do you 2016

I'm usually not particularly giddy about new year's events because if I take away the idea of the calendar, all that's left in my head are yesterday, today and tomorrow. What I like about categorizing events though is it sort of creates an illusion of a fresh start, a new year, another beginning. Who doesn't want a try for a do-over?

I drafted a year-in-review post yesterday because it's what people do at the end of the year ― summarize, recall, reminisce ― but I left it undone in the morning, and when I came back to finish it in the afternoon, the whole lot seemed absurd already.

So I'm starting this year with these photos of random things that can be typically seen here in our area. For months, I've been thinking of committing to a project that I can pull out from my Neighbor Walk series ― shooting the neighborhoods here, if possible every street, within Cavite City. Doing the Neighbor Walk made me unexpectedly appreciate the look of a typical neighborhood here in the Philippines. Also, I want to tap more in to the realities of my life that is far from the high-end, touristy, manicured spots. I want to learn to embrace the grunge, the rust and the old-looking ― basically, the mess. I'm honestly not sure if I will pull this off, because taking photos in public streets here is very difficult and alienating. I usually get the strange looks from people because nobody thinks a public street or someone's garage/gate here is worth taking a photo of.

So there goes the challenge.

Ah, but for the sake of year-end summaries, here's a quick look-back at my 2015:

• Acquired two new-old film cameras
• Shot 30 rolls of film
• Visited two countries
• Met Lea Salonga!
• A promotion
• Quit some of my social media accounts
• Hoped for a chemistry, failed
• Sold my Canon AE-1 Program and gave away my Holga 120N
• Read 10 books
• Met Bea of Little Film Blog
• Joined an art workshop
• Revamped this blog 287632 times
• Cared less (about social status)
• Surprisingly got interested with makeup

This year, I'm keeping it simple to:

• Keep/update a daily planner/journal
• Care much less (about social status)
• Maintain only one credit card
• Approach people to be photographed
• Buy less

I guess that's it. I wish you a great 2016, friend :)

once, there was a cat

SILHOUETTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

Got inspired early this morning when the Department of Tourism Philippines released yet another fun and exciting video as it gears up for the Visit the Philippines campaign for 2015 (I still dream of working for them!), so I'm sharing again some of the photographs I've taken during my Boracay trip last July. 

Trivia: Boracay is my first plane trip destination back in 2008 and I have come back every year since then :)

Going to Boracay is like going home. I usually just book a flight, get excited for months and never need a thing to prepare for it. The island always welcomes me with a three-station stretch of inviting beach, waves of turquoise waters and friendly people.

This year, I have enjoyed a few walks alone along the beach to people watch and simply inhale every bit of beauty that I'm presented with. The unstoppable crashing of waves is so noisy, but its the kind of noise that you inevitably zone out to.

We've had our share of rainshowers during our stay, which was expected since it was monsoon season, but I am also quite happy with how I got a bit of silhouettes and highlights in my photos. A good surprise, I must say :)

I have been to several provinces and islands here in the Philippines, but it still puts me in shame when there are thousands of them that I have not still set foot on. Just in case you're planning a trip for next year, you might want to consider this video below :) :)

MANILA SKY

What I lack in words, I make up for high dosage of skies. 

YOU COME AND GO

 

A day of proportionally divided, and ironically mixed feelings of anticipation and worry, freedom and constriction, coming and going. Only one thing binds all of these: the element of waiting. Waiting to leave, waiting to come back. Crossing over, or having your fingers crossed. Everybody goes on, and so does life. About to embark on another journey. Literally. Figuratively.

WHITE AND WOOD

My Canon AE-1 Program camera's shutter all of a sudden stopped working last September, and how unfortunate for it to happen while I was at Bag of Beans. I wrote in on stone that I'll be back for more with a decent-working shutter. And sure enough, I did! How couldn't I? :)

I've always loved the mixture of white and wood (I love wood textures, in general) around this place. Being situated in Tagaytay, the cool wind really brings out a cozier atmosphere, making it perfect and okay to just feel lazy. Like you just want to curl up on your seat with a blanket, while cradling a cup of their houseblend coffee, or cuddle the pillows while having conversations with your bestfriend and lose the concept of time.

It was not a surprise that I finished a roll just being here, and I've been chopping up the parts through posts just so I still have more to look forward to. Will be posting another batch next time :)

TOMORROW

Years and years of on and off blogging, I've finally decided to get my own .com! And as happy I am to have it, I am much grateful to find my heart at home in film, too. Something to keep me on my toes :)

LYDIA

All taken at Lydia's Pancitan, a local restaurant in Cavite City that offers a variety of Filipino dishes. I remember them having an order/take-out type of service in the beginning, as they were really known for their delicious pancit. They did this for years, and eventually when the whole town patronized the food, it was not a surprise when they ventured into a full-blown restaurant type.

Some of my favorites would have to be their Lechon Kawali, Chopsuey and Pinakbet. These are accumulated photos over the time I get to visit their place. Ironically, I get to remember taking photos of the food long after I chomped on them all, so no photos haha. Interiors are as simple as can be, but I don't mind at all when they put the extra effort on making my food THAT good!

GREAT BALL OF FIRE

It's not always an intention, but Kimi somehow finds it to creep in with almost every roll I finish. All her shots are either blurred or out of focus because there's now way to keep her still even for a good three seconds. She's deprived of her usual weekend walk which even makes it worse for her hyperactivity. Her "busy" big sister's the one to blame.

Looking at these photos, I'm reminded that she needs to take a bath now.

Have a great weekend! :)

MORNING

Woke up early one Saturday morning, picked up my camera and strolled along the neighborhood. I still need to learn how to deal better with direct/harsh light.