Events that are so intensely charged such as this makes me curious of what the children must be thinking. 

An estimated 2,000 people from various militant groups and people’s organizations rallied together at the United People’s SONA which culminated at the Bacolod City Plaza shortly before the president’s State of the Nation Address. 

This guy walked out of a dark eskinita, into the light, and hollered “Yo camera boy!” 

Then eskinita dude started breakdancing. As he posed and attempted to do backflips, bystanders began to laugh and poke fun which seemed to egg him on. 

There must be a catch to this, I thought to myself, honestly half-expecting him to ask for money or a cup of coffee like others have before. But as I lifted my camera up to him, nodded, and began to walk away, he simply gave me 2 thumbs up, and then waved goodbye. 

Love is love is love

Scenes from the Bacolod Pride Parade

Scenes from Election Day

A week ago on Election Day. Met an elderly couple, Roberto and Monina, sitting under a shed, waiting for their 3 children to finish voting. The couple work at nearby sugarcane fields and shared their fears for the future and security of farmers, especially after the recent killings of farmers in Negros.

Roberto and Monina’s grandchildren sat and played around the family’s tricycle. It took Monina and her husband 3 hours to finish the voting process despite being accommodated in the Senior Citizen line. Her wait is echoed in her wait for her voter’s ID, which has been due since her children were young. Now, her children have children of their own.

Monina’s hope is for elected leaders to focus on helping and supporting the poor and marginalized and to be leaders that the poor and marginalized can approach and rely on instead of fear.

The irony of Magikland

The streets are alive with the sound of cheesy campaign jingles

1 week before elections

Crouched in a corner, waiting. Three lamps left. Three lamps left.

Nong Jo makes kerosene lamps out of old tin cans and liquor bottles.

I asked him if I could take a few photos of him. He said yes, but his eyes remained elsewhere.

Peculiar little tin can house at the end of a street. 

“I know this house isn’t haunted, and I wish it were, I do; for it wouldn’t be so lonely if it had a ghost or two.”

I was standing in front of this red gate, waiting for people to pass so I could get a photo of the hand painted sign. This man walked into my frame and just stood there, looking far into the distance behind me. I wasn’t sure whether he did it on purpose or if he didn’t initially see me, but I then I went up to him and asked him if I could take his photo.

 He cheerfully obliged and then asked if I could buy him a cup of coffee. 

I got my first haircut from this guy. Efren has been cutting hair in Silay for generations. He was my grandfather’s barber and my dad still stops by every once in a while to get his beard trimmed.

He used to cut hair at a barbershop along the main road, but recently moved to a spot near the outskirts of the market.

Scenes from the global strike against climate change in Bacolod City. 

“We call for climate justice for our farmers, fisherfolk, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and generations yet unborn. We call major polluters to take drastic actions and reverse the narrative on the climate crisis. We enjoin leaders to take on proactive solutions and respond with urgency. We must act, because we still can.”