full circle

I came to Quezon City to be with you.

It's actually a full circle thing. I was born in Quezon City, but grew up in Taguig. I studied College at Quezon City, worked at Quezon City, too. I'd also go to Quezon City to do that boyfriend thing.

And now, I live in Quezon City in a little apartment full of books with you.

I miss my travelling days from Taguig to Quezon City though. Here is a documentation of my last travel to the place where I grew up.



A dog enjoying the waters at an abandoned lot along Mindanao Avenue corner Road 20.



A Blind singer at the Quezon Avenue MRT Station.



Two girls holding hands along EDSA near Megamall.



A vine snaking along a concrete wall also along EDSA near Megamall.



A woman in a contemplative mood, oblivious of the vehicles passing by in front of her carinderia along Signal, Taguig.



A kid trying to open the door of an Alfombra store along Pateros.



Grandma, mother, and sleeping son waiting anxiously for the traffic to move along Pateros.


A kid hanging behind a jeep (sabit) while his friend tries to catch up at Pasig.



A girl comforting herself by sucking at her arm on the MRT.



A mother with her tres marias on the MRT.



A man hanging on while waiting for the door to open on the MRT.



And lastly, a Cafe Breton service crew taking a picture of some customers while I wait for you.

Jordan
090212

shoot the shadows

There is a chicken/egg kind of question to what you said there. Are you shooting the ones illuminated by light, or the ones hidden by shadows?

There are times when shadows reveal things, too. And in those instances, this quote from Luis Carlo Baretto comes to mind:

"Forget about the light and try to photograph the shadow.”

Jordan
021312

*MRT-Ayala Station

comfortably numb

That is the challenge one faces, after witnessing things too much—may it be injustices, wrongdoings, or just plain rudeness—one must never be comfortably numb, never to react accordingly to matters one knows are not right.

As a matter of fact, we don't have to react all the time. We don't have to be heroes or martyrs for all things not right. One must simply acknowledge these, and one step has already been made to solving them.

For example, "poorism photos." I've been hearing a lot from you and your photography peeps about these kind of shots. I've heard everyone's sides, and true, one must never take these kind of photos for the sake of one's portfolio. But never to take these kind of photos because you are tired of them and there are other things to shoot seems kind of off-putting for me. Not to document the lives of impoverished people would not make the problem of poverty vanish. It would simply make us forget such a problem exists.

Jordan
112211

*Beggar at the stairs of Ortigas MRT station steps

rosebud

Look no further for meaning with that ID photo, dear. That was found by someone on the train, and—-as tradition dictates for any lost documentation or identification—-posted in the nearest public area where the person has the most chance finding it, if they come back.

I do agree, though, a lost photo's identity would always be a mystery. Until we find out the truth, it is the next best thing to be known for.

So, should we call him Rosebud?

Jordan
111811

*Girl peeking to check if the next MRT train is on its way.

the grid

Living off the grid, that's the modern term for what you were talking about. It sounds so macho though, so Hollywood. Because of its military origins perhaps? Or the romanticized portrayal of men (and women) on the run, or not wanting to be found.

Yes, connectivity and information are most abundant these days, but still is limited to those who have access to the technology that supply them. For some, communication still comes in the simplest of forms, and sometimes—as has been through the years—given in the most desperate means.

So have they seen this kid yet?

Jordan
111111

*DIY Missing person sign at the MRT.

communication

That first photo of yours is a combination of Halloween AND All Saints' Day!

Some people think of All Saints' Day as an occasion, or as the Catholic church officially says, a "solemnity."

I think of it as a way of communication. Of keeping in touch with your dead loved ones, be it just one-way.

If the communication were two-way though, now that's Halloween.

Jordan
110511

*Guy calling someone at the MRT (I know, a not-so-very-halloween photo) :)

hold on

How are you, dear? Holding on? I am.

Jordan
040211

*MRT Rush hour view through its handlebars with advertising thingees.

Catch your Winks

Also, don't forget those moments of sleeping while traveling.

Jordan
012311

*Passenger standing AND sleeping at the MRT.

In Transit

Hey dear,

Don't forget to catch your plane. Unlike the MRT, it's harder to catch the next ride with airplanes.

So says the MRT expert.

Jordan
120610

*In between MRT coaches at MRT Station Cubao.

...is needed here

If it's goodwill you're talking about, the place that needs it most is the MRT.

Have you made sakay naba the MRT in the morning? Like, omg, it's so hirap. And the people are so unruly, and sooooo swapang. They make balya to you even if you're a gurl! What more pa kaya if I'm just a guy, no?

Jordan
091910

*MRT ride going to Guadalupe/Tulay