PhotoHunt: UNDESIRABLE

I am not a fan of driving through a downpour: the rains create conditions of poor visibility, puddles slow vehicles down, chaos is inevitable. To amuse myself while trapped in the traffic jam, I'd sing my lungs out along with whatever music the CD or FM radio bursts forth.

Now THAT is undesirable.

Makati City, July 2009, using a digicam.

Litratong Pinoy: HILING (Wish)

Ang larawan sa itaas ang isang pangkaraniwang tahanan sa Maguindanao, makikita habang binabagtas ang pangunahing lansangan na nag-uugnay sa Lungsod ng Cotabato sa Lungsod ng Heneral Santos. Sa mga mumunting bahay na ito tumitira sa sadlak na kahirapan ang mga naitaboy sa kani-kanilang mga lupa at tahanan ng labanan ng gobyerno at ilang mga armadong grupo- away na wala silang kinalaman. At sa gitna ng kahirapang ito, ang mga magagarbong rotonda (tulad ng larawan sa ibaba) ay umuusbong, mga altar para sa mga umaarteng panginoon sa lugar, ang ngalan nila nagsisimula sa "Z-U-A" at "G-M-A"...

Nawa'y magkaroon ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa Maguindanao at sa buong bansa. Nawa'y matamo ng mga naulilang pamilya ang katarungan sa sinapit nilang delubyo. Nawa'y umusbong ang isang sambayanang nananalangin, nakikilahok, naninindigan.

HILING = WISH

The top photo depicts a typical home in Maguindano, a common vista along the national highway connecting the cities of Cotabato and General Santos. In these tiny homes live families displaced by war between government forces and armed groups in the area- a war that these families have got absolutely nothing to do with. And yet amidst this abject poverty, ostentatious plazas emerge (like the one photographed below), virtual altars to those who claim to be the lords of the area, with names that begin with "Z-U-A" and "G-M-A"...

May there be peace and progress in Maguindanao and the entire country. May the families orphaned by the Maguindanao massacre find the justice they so richly deserve. May we emerge from all this tragedy as a nation that prays more, participates more, and believes more.



passing through Maguindanao, March 2009, using a digicam.

PhotoHunt: CURVED

Home for two million pieces of art spanning past five thousand years of humanity is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This almost-120-year-old building, itself a masterpiece, has two million square feet of cavernous halls and intimate spaces that complement perfectly the Monets and the mummies residing within them.

1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
New York, New York 10028-0198
Information: 212-535-7710

New York City, April 2008, using a digicamera.

Litratong Pinoy: HUDYAT (Signal)

Dati, pagkatapos pa ng Undas makikita ang mga palamuting pang-Pasko. Subali't ngayon- siguro sa nakaraang 10, 15 taon, paaga nang paaga ang pagsulpot ng mga parol, kumukutitap na ilaw, at mga Belen. Natutuwa ako na sa harap ng mga pansariling at panlipunang suliranin ng ating bansa, eto- tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko.

HUDYAT = SIGNAL

Before, Christmas decors were hung days after All Saints' and All Souls' Day were commemorated. In the last 10, 15 years, however, lanterns, twinkling lights, and Nativity scenes were put on display earlier and earlier. I am immensely gratified, though, that in spite of all personal and collective tragedies our nation has endured and survived, Christmas is definitely happening, its spirit is just unstoppable.

Along the South Super Highway in Makati City, October 2009, using a digicam.