the saddest sound

I recently heard what, for me, is one of the saddest sounds in the world: the wails of a kitten, thrown into the street to fend for its own.

Scenes like this remind me of that passage in the bible where god assigns man as the caretaker of all animals in the world. Has man fulfilled this role? Looking back, it makes me realize how the Catholic Church's teachings are too man-centric. The kindness of men, the evils of men. Man's folly, doom, salvation. The list goes on. But does the Catholic Church have any statements on animal cruelty? Endangered species -- god's creations all, about to be forever lost in the world?

Jordan
101111

*Woman playing solitaire with her dog near an ATM at Roxas Blvd.

How sweet the sound

I find it amazing to hear the sounds that birds make, which can be described in so many different ways: chirping, tweeting, cackling, even singing. I love hearing birds in our urban neighborhood -- their lovely, calming sounds which contrast with the roar of tricycle engines, and people talking, yelling, or singing (headache-inducing) videoke.

I wonder, though, how birds manage during the difficult, hot and rainy seasons we have.

The behavior of birds really does say much about the state of the world. I read recently how many bird species are shifting their migratory patterns due to habitat loss and the warming of the planet. As many experts point out, humans aren't the only species forced to adapt to climate change, yet human behavior contributes the most to this phenomenon and its onerous effects.

I hope that somehow birds and other species manage to adapt and survive. And I hope we humans drastically change our ways. It's hard to imagine a world so silent, without the sound of birds and other animals, like a foreboding scene in a film or novel. Which is why, when I take photographs of wildlife, I wonder at the temporal quality of their beauty. Just as with so much that we photograph, we are documenting something that has already passed and will surely change, whether we like it or not.

Jo
100811

*Taken during a hike in a desert canyon

Wednesday in Tomas Morato

Yesterday, I was still thinking of what to reply to you, when I saw these pigeons flying around. I realized that one of the things I associate with floods is Noah's dove messenger, coming back with proof of land and life after the floods the old testament God dished out.

It's a cool imagery. A lone dove, flying solitary amidst a flooded landscape. And where did the crow go, right? Why didn't he come back?

Jordan
100611

*pigeons at tomas morato

Sunday in Quiapo

Indeed, the sun was a welcome sight after two typhoons hit the country. On Sunday, people were out in the streets of Quiapo, buying and selling goods, crowding into church to hear mass, or going about their business. Life seems so normal and uneventful, yet just outside of Manila, massive floods continue to displace thousands in Bulacan and other provinces. Life in those areas has been turned upside down, as people and animals try to survive under abnormal conditions. We in Manila know this, but how odd it seems that while most of us go about our daily lives, not too far away, devastation is affecting so many.

Jo
100311

here comes the sun

I heard a lot of excitement from photographers during that last storm. First time for me to encounter it, and true, you do get a lot of great shots when people aren't in their comfort zones. You know, floods, strong winds, strong rain, your home suddenly having a swimming pool, or actually being in a swimming pool, along with your neighbors.

Today though, that is replaced with the sound of excitement coming from Ate Odet, now that the sun is back, finally, the clothes can be properly dried.

Jordan
092911

*Neighborhood laundry

Winds are up

Déjà vu hits us yet again. It's hard to sleep with Typhoon Pedring's strong winds (which we had earlier) and the constant rain, bringing back memories of Ondoy's wrath. Right now I worry, not so much for our own safety, but for those who are more vulnerable because they live or work near the rivers, dams, and oceanfront, with many already being forced to evacuate. Extreme weather seems to be occurring more frequently everywhere in the world, and most of us are still unprepared for the consequences.

Jo
092711

*Typhoon Pedring in Quezon City

there is a light

Yes, to the brave people who never give up.

For with them, there is a light that never goes out.

Jordan
083111

*JL Burgos, brother of Jonas Burgos, at Conspiracy Bar and Cafe.

A deafening silence

Photography means many things to different people. Among its various aspects, I recognize and respect its potential to speak truth to power. It adds a visual voice to those who speak out against injustice. Who speak for those who cannot speak. For those who have been silenced.

Today is the International Day of the Disappeared. It is a sobering reminder of the thousands of victims of enforced disappearances -- in the Philippines and around the world -- taken away from their loved ones and communities by State agents and held in secret detention sites, most never to be heard from or seen again. This commemoration speaks of an almost unimaginable cruelty inflicted not just on the disappeared persons but also on those left behind.

I know that photography can't change this situation. Photographs seem such paltry things in the face of the powerful forces that perpetuate or condone these crimes, or allow them to go unpunished. Still, I see photography as a way to counter that deafening silence, and so I add my small voice to those who are much braver than me, who never give up on finding their loved ones and friends, and work tirelessly to end impunity and injustice.

Photography also means saluting their bravery and never forgetting.

Jo
083011

*Photos taken during the 4th year anniversary of the abduction of Jonas Burgos in April 2011 and during the State of the Nation Address protest in July 2011.

K

You didn't say sorry, which is good.

Photography means never having to say you're sorry :)

Jordan
082611

*Lola having fun at a Jollibee Children's party

Soultrane

I regret that I've been neglecting our photo dialogue, although the dialogue between us continues in our everyday life. This ebb and flow of creativity and sharing, from the dialogue to personal projects, is part of a rhythm that I'm still learning to master.

Even during "ebbs", the unexpected can happen and I am reminded, for instance, of the illusion of "civilized" society and how behind it lies a deeply-rooted hypocrisy, extremism, and mob-mentality that I can never accept. I realize, as well, that the chance to dialogue -- to openly exchange ideas and have rational discussions -- should not be wasted, even if it is only between the two of us.

Aside from train rides which are conducive to quiet contemplation and reflection, our dialogues (on and off this page) help me process what I observe and discover about our society, with all of its disturbing realities and contradictions, as well as moments of enlightenment and wonder.

And yes, giving context to imagery is like a love supreme. It uplifts and keeps us grounded.

Jo
082411

*Taking the LRT 1 in Metro Manila

open up your heart and let the context in

Context.

It is in context where photos of sunsets and sunrises are considered passé. Too many of them, oft overused especially in tourism.

We still see them.

It is in context too, that I fear they will be most treasured in the future, like the photos in your previous post.

Let us see.

Jordan
072311

*Bataan sunset during one of Adarna House's office outings.

Ephemeral views/ephemeral blues

We live in a city that is teeming with people and the things we create and use -- the concrete and metal structures, cars, advertisements, artificial lights, smoke, and noise -- the pollution and over-stimulation that defines life in urban areas. Once in a while, though, I'm amazed by how parts of this city can be so quietly beautiful, with trees, earth, and sky filling the landscape. However, due to over-development and bad urban planning, places like this are hard to come by.

Through photography, I try to capture and document some of this beauty -- while it lasts. A sadness fills me as I think of reported plans to "develop" these areas, thus introducing more structures, cars, and pollution and destroying the little bit of nature that still exists. Looking ahead, I can't help but wonder what these landscapes will look like 10-20 years from now.

Remarkably, the words from Joni's song still ring true: Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.

Jo
072011

*Scenes in Quezon City

city lights

I long to take a shot of Metro Manila at night on top of Antipolo. The city lights are like star constellations down here on earth.

These stars on earth, though, are the reason why we can't see the stars above, the same way Jack did in the movie Titanic (like a prepubescent teenager's face pockmarked with pimples!)

Light pollution is what they call it, right?

Jordan
070411

*Me feeding the boys during Earth hour, 2011

Lightseekers

Indeed, it was a dilemma, but I believe we made the right choice of going separately and each attending this very special event in our friends' lives.

After hours in traffic and luckily making it just in time to Tagaytay, I was struck by the lovely, relaxed atmosphere at Kat and Erman's wedding. Such beautiful light graced the wedding of these two former Collegian photographers -- soft afternoon light, the golden light of sunset, and later, a constellation of lanterns illuminating the night sky.

For lightseekers, as those who profess a love for photography must be, nothing could be more fitting.

Jo
070311

independence day

There's this Barbie's Cradle song that goes:

Independence day is not for me.
When I'm bound to you, I feel so free.

It's a romanticized mixed-signal line if you ask me. But the play on words is fun, (plus, OMG, it's Barbie Almalbis singing). I rather like Kahlil Gibran's take better, when he says that couples should be two islands: Together and near each other, but still having the sea between them so both are still independent. That Kahlil, how beautifully he writes about personal space, no?

And that line of thinking was put to good use when we were faced with the dillema of being invited to two weddings of our friends, both on the same day. Instead of choosing just one wedding to attend, we decided that each of us should represent. So I went to Manix's and Melay's (the logic being, Manix is an artist), and you went to Kat's and Erman's (they being photographers and you being one, too, right now).

True, we were apart, but by the end of the day, we are still together, and we get to share special moments from our friends' lives.

That, and compare photos, too.

Jordan
061611

The truth in one free afternoon*

I joined a relaxed, albeit brief, photowalk with some photographers on Sunday afternoon at the June 12 festivities, catching a little of that late afternoon sunlight on the crowds and performers. Independence day, as usual, served as an occasion for the State to present a diluted version of the historic struggles for independence and project the current armed forces with its array of weaponry. Walking around, I thought about the relevance of past struggles for freedom on the lives of ordinary folks today. I thought, too, about what Filipinos of old, those heralded and those less known, might say about the Philippines, if they were alive right now.

At the side of Quirino grandstand, there was an older woman with two children, one of them barefoot, eating food together under a tree. There was also a young woman taking a bath with her clothes on, using soap and buckets of water -- one of the many forced to live in the streets. Strong ambient light shown on them like a spotlight. The young woman’s efforts to be clean and decent were even more striking as she was within the vicinity of that spectacle put on by the State. For what are displays of military might and boasts of a glorious past when so many are without a proper home and a place to bathe in the present?

Jo
061611

*From the lyrics of "My Rights Versus Yours" by The New Pornographers

catnap

It's twenty minutes before midnight as I write this entry to fulfill our deal -- to post today, our wedding anniversary day.

And you're now sleeping.

So goodnight to you, my sleeping beauty. To more mornings waking up realizing you are with me, and I, you.

Just please, don't burn the oatmeal.

Jordan

061011

*Jo and Moshi taking a catnap.

Flowers at night

You were with me when I took this photo of flowers at night, outside of SM North. I didn't have a tripod so you suggested that I rest the camera on a wall and take a long exposure shot. It took several tries before I got the shot that I wanted, but you were patient with me and stayed by my side.

Somehow, this shared love for photography, which became only apparent last year, has opened my eyes and mind to visual expression and has allowed me to understand, maybe a little bit better, your love for visual arts. It's telling that, with the both of us using our point-and-shoot camera so much last year, the G11's dials are now worn down and broken. Together, we made the most of that camera, a tool that we shared, appreciated, and really put to good use.

Years into our relationship, I'm glad that we can still surprise each other with our work and how we express ourselves. Despite those "whirlwinds" you mentioned and the other struggles we face, I hope we continue to learn together and keep finding those moments that make it so worthwhile.

Jo
061011

do the whirlwind

Last week was really something. With my photography external hard drive giving up the ghost, my pc reincarnated as a Windows 7 rig, as well as having to deal with the internet connection loss. Hell, our G11 is also on sick bay. It sure was a whirlwind.

But amidst it all, I had my camera bag strapped over my chest, as always.

Jordan
060811

*Mother and daughter at Trinoma Merry-go-round

Layers of light and shadows

You're right to an extent. In my case, I don't always have the urge to capture a scene or moment. But there are times when I feel so compelled that I have to reach for my camera or wish that I had one with me. Once in a while, it's almost like my camera has become an extension of me, a feeling that becomes stronger as I become less self-conscious about the camera and more focused on what I'm doing and seeing.

A few months back, I took these shots during a solitary hike through a desert canyon. With only my camera as company, I tried to pay attention to the light, shadows, designs, and lines in nature. While I did miss having a real companion, I realized that I could find comfort in this quiet, unfamiliar yet beautiful environment -- just by walking, listening, observing, and every so often, pressing the shutter.

Jo
060111