Sa Kadalanan.

Almost six years ago, I set foot in this city.

Growing up in a small town, the idea of starting university in a metropolitan was exciting but terrifying at the same time. I was scared. But I still went anyway. I packed my bags, enrolled in one of the country’s prestigious universities, met the best people, celebrated even the smallest wins, pushed through the difficult times, and learned my way in the streets of Cebu City.

This is an archive of my photographs in the streets of Cebu. These are the moments that lay between my past and present self.

Either you’re in the journey of finding solace in solitude or you’re together with your romantic valentine, may you take a moment to breathe and remind yourself that you’re worth the genuine kind of love.

More than the flowers, chocolates, letters, or any kind of creative cuteness, becoming truer and kinder to yourself, resonating more deeply with your loving soul, and feeling your strength matters too. Place the world and its immensely painful cycles into the background and yourself into the forefront because such effort is an act of self-love.

You too are worthy of your own love.

And along with the lines of Erich Fromm, in love, the paradox occurs that two beings become one and yet remain two.

Warmly,

After a month, I finally got my film back. This was the first time I got to used a film camera. And here's some takeaways from a starter.

I at least thought I got the exposure and framed the shot correctly but reality is, you can't be absolutely sure until after the film is developed. And at that point, you're stuck with whatever shot you got. That's the first takeaway I got from my first film experience.

Second takeaway. You pay for each film. Film isn't free and depending on how much of it you use, the cost can really add up. If you're someone like me who likes to get your money's worth, create a shot you'll be happy with. Tell a story on every frame of film you shoot. Shoot a whole roll of keepers.

Patience. Patience. Patience. That's the third takeaway. The time from pressing the shutter to viewing the final image is protracted. Also, the desire to not waste too many frames encourages you to wait for the shot you want. Then you have to develop and scan and these all amounts to more waiting. All these factors and process exercise your patience making you more appreciative of the handiwork.

This is my first film captures but surely wouldn't be the last.

Warmly,

“How do you know that you can’t fight for the relationship anymore? When would be the right time to stop? She asked.

“If the person still genuinely wants to be with me and I still want to be with the person. Like beyond feelings of love. As I grew older, I realized that love is not enough for two people to maintain a relationship. There are always external factors, like timing, where you are in life, how each of your dreams and aspirations line up, how different or alike you two are.” He answered.

They sit knee-deep in silence for a moment. Her eyes locked on the man whose brown eyes are so beautiful, so safe and warm. Those eyes shine brightly, making her want to get to know the person within.

“I guess I ended up inheriting most of my mom’s cynicism and a little bit of my dad’s naivete. I do believe that love is real and important, but beyond that, other factors connect us to people. And I kind of accepted that human beings are flawed, complicated, and ever-changing. Sometimes people genuinely have a spark and grow close and at the same time, people grow apart. And in the same way, we can’t explain fully how two people fall in love, we also can’t fully explain how two people fall out of it.” He added.

She watched him move, there was something in him combined with his gentleness that made her heart flutters. At that moment, she knew this was a person she wanted to know more than she’d ever felt before.

Took this photo February of 2019.

I don't recall what transpired this day nor what brought me to this spot. But I remember feeling relieved and comforted by the fact that the day was about to end thus the line, pahuman nasad ang adlaw, langga.

A year after, I fathom how painful yet freeing endings are.

And at times, the ending is what you needed to soothe your soul, to give you peace and to bid you a fresh start.