Sofia

She's three now. Time I guess flies as fast as they say it. She's naughty, she's pretty, she's everything we've always wanted her to be. Actually not exactly but pretty much the way we like it. Crazy at times but its all worth it. Were both hands-on parents doing as much as time allows to interact with her, teaching her the good ways of life, to be a global citizen...compassionate, responsible and independent.

For now, were contended, and proud. Our Pia at three.

Cul-de-sac of Dreams

Sometime way way long ago I began dreaming of a good life way beyond the maturity years that was to become. To become different, to control reality and not a victim of circumstances. I dreamed of a my house in the mountains..I dreamed of having climbed the highest of the ladder of the corporate world. Many dreams,many years has passed since then and I am absolutely thrilled and excited of the many things that has been and it was one hell of a ride. Looking back, i came to a realization that I, unconsciously was having thoughts that created the realities of how I become.

Many people call them the laws of attraction, consciousness creates reality...the belief that we create the world through our thoughts and beliefs. I am one successful guinea pig experiment, a subject that proves the theory correct. As a child who grew up in a rather happy and realistic environment, I have always wanted to believe then as I am more convinced now that nothing is impossible and that limit to human achievement can only be limited by man himself.



And I have proven them one after another. I won in the Sinulog photo contest because I believe I could. I became a broker because I knew I could. I successfully finished my masters because I knew it can be done. I had my house sitting on top on the hill because I made to a point that I will do it before i reach my 30th birthday...the list continues. Dreams and hard work makes a deadly combination. Hard work? Absolutely.Lucky? yes to a certain degree. I rather call it better choices. Like a cul-de-sac of dreams, we may turn right or left but that doesn't matter at all. Like an arrow if we aim skillfully its certainly would hit the bulls eye every now and then. Hmmm...what's next?

Paying Homage

I have been a Sto. Nino devotee ever since I met my wife. In the past years we've attended the weekly friday mass without fail and always have something to offer up into the week leading to its fiesta and the Sinulog celebration. Although today we don't use to go there as often as before when my daughter was born, our unwavering faith and love for the Holy child Jesus has always been there, seeking, loving and to hopefully give back in hundred folds to the life and the blessings that God gave us.







I certainly haven't lost touch with God. In hiatus perhaps of the rituals but not the faith, the faith that binds us with the creator. Like the song "Batobalani sa Gugma" or Magnet of Love, our devotion draws us closer to God, a reminder that life is only worth if their is God at the center and that love that we continue to nourish shall be someday to given back to other people who needs it.

I've got a chance to visit the place again yesterday. Some of the images that I took while there.

A Visit to the Dumpsite

It seems to be a good day today to shoot something outdoors with the sun partially diffused by the cloudy weather. That desire ended up somewhere in a dumpsite in Mandaue City.



The great Mahatma Gandhi once said that the greatest crime in this world is poverty. Here you see the poorest among the poor, the people who survive the day picking up somebody dirty trash. The stench foul and putrid, our brave souls (me and my photo buddy bobot)inch our way into the the center of the action where people and flies alike were busy scavenging whatever where once was real drinks, real food.



For them everything you throw doesn't matter anymore. Its all real for them. They eat the spoiled and the foul like its like manna from heaven. For a lot of people this is God's forsaken land, for them this is their home, their livelihood. What's amazing though is that they still seem to give that infectious smile like happy contented souls.





This is their untold story. Stories that are simply washed away like gathering dust when the rain comes.....

A Day In Tabo-an

If your a tourist and would ask a local (Cebuano) where to buy gifts or "pasalubong", its a certainty that Tabo-an market would not miss the list. Here you find the a great variety of dried fishes among the best and cheapest in the country.



You also get to immerse ourself with the old Cebu, where people ride in horse driven carriages which nowadays can be as rare as a gem.







Save albeit for the well dressed and moneyed tourists that abound the place, much of Tabo-an has been a neglect down to the people who have been living in dire poverty ever since. It is one of the few places in town where a photographer with his expensive toys dare to shoot alone.




My instincts got the best out of me. No fear they say. I knew I could talk my way out of the situation by immersing in the people's livelihood. Besides I was with my buddy that time and had the tripod for a bat.LOL




Just as we thought that was about it, we saw some street children playing in the interior portion, approached them and ask them to pose for us. They gladly did and ended showing them their photos and giving them some pennies. We ended happy, glad that at some point that our wisdom to shoot in that place paid off. And so was the children that for one day they didn't have to steal their way for a meal....