LUNCH AT BREAKFAST AT ANTONIO'S

I was chatting with a friend one night, and we gradually slipped into the question of am I happy? Ironically, simple questions reap rather difficult answers. Without a thought I answered with, I could be happier. Not only I was indirectly dodging the question, I was also telling the truth. Admittedly, it's hard to just throw out a direct yes or no answer on this type of question because it says so much about how you see your life, and the amount of satisfaction you feel reeling every single day of it.

I could be happier. But, I am also content.

I see happiness as life's hunger; you just need to keep on feeding it. Although I would not decline a comfortable lifestyle, I much rather spend my days working on life and finding things to look forward to along the way. There's nothing like waking up in the morning excited and giddy on the thought of what lies ahead. That's what makes me feel alive.

Much like this day I want to remember, a lunch at Breakfast at Antonio's in Tagaytay with my bestfriend. Unexpected conversations about the twists and turns of life, old feelings and impressions, and simply an overwhelming wave of gratitude, which inevitably brought me to, well, tears.

Screw the saying, just keep your friends closer.
 

Looking forward to a fun-packed long weekend! I hope you are, too :)

OUT OF CHARACTER | THREE

Although I have saved some pegs on my phone to look at every now and then, it was only a matter of time for ideas to run out. I made up poses, Queenie obediently followed them. Until around three-fourths of the roll when I found myself staring blankly at her with no next composition to follow. We struggled, with a little bit of hesitation here and there. The going up and down the double-deck we used made me tired as well, so I simply told Queenie to just lie down and close her eyes as if she's about to fall asleep.

As she did so, her body and facial expression immediately relaxed, and that's when I found taking her photos most enjoyable.

OUT OF CHARACTER | TWO

OUT OF CHARACTER

Work has been suspended today due to another (surprise, surprise) strong typhoon. I was halfway through my commute when I received the text message from my boss, so I just immediately went down on the nearest bus stop and made a return to home. I indulged on a delicious 3-hour nap, and now facing the laptop screen with a strong cup of brewed coffee beside me.

The view outside does not look good; dark, gray and discouraging. The wind sounds like it's gathering strength even more. Ironically, this kind of environment slips me into such a good mood to write.

Oh, how I've missed this feeling. When everything is dark and the only light that shines is from the laptop screen, seducing me into being sentimental, inviting me to use the writing voice that is so far from who people usually talk to in real life. I was thinking to do a Life After Film post, but life lately is so fogged up I still cannot begin to find time to think clearly.

~

Every once in a while, I would have this urge to photograph people just to steer away from the usual inanimate objects and interesting sights. It is where I feel most vulnerable I think, to shoot people. There's just too much pressure on making someone look good on a photograph or capturing a facial expression quickly, something I admire from events photographers.

One day, I had this thought of asking Queenie again to do a "shoot" with me because I think she's the only one who would be open to the idea of this, and also because I really don't have many friends hahaha. The concept is a little intimate than the first one we did (and with such contrast), so we asked her friend a favor if we could use his apartment for a few hours, and this is how it went.

I don't know who was more anxious to see the results when the roll came back haha, but I know I was, because it was such a challenge to think about framing shots within such cramped space. I wouldn't have shot these any other way but in black and white, and I am pretty much satisfied with how they turned out. Taking risks every now and then :D

WIRED

Yes, I am still sharing photos from my Cambodia trip, and no, this is not yet the end of it. Haha! Believe me, my favorite photos still remain untouched, that means, there's more to come. 

(You have no idea, but I am secretly wiring your brain to book your trip as well through my posts, sshh :p)