Gala Pinoy Redux

“Ser, bawal ho mag-picture dyan (Sir, you cannot take photos there).”

“Bakit? (Why?)”

(For security purposes, etc.)

I get pissed when security personnel ask me not to take photos of the place for security reasons. Really? Have we become this paranoid?

There was also a time at a mall when a lady guard asked me to open my bag so she could check it. I told her that she already has a metal detector, so why not use that? Just to double-check she tells me.

Okay, I don’t have anything against security personnel since I know they’re just doing their job. What I hate is the paranoia that surrounds many of the establishments in Metro Manila.
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I was never the guy who frequented bars on weekends, even on weekdays. Maybe it’s because I’m as graceful as a twig on the dance floor. Or that I’d rather talk to my friends over bottles of beer than try to make myself heard over loud, thumping club music.

But a night with my friends in Cebu an exception.

“Let’s go bar-hopping tonight,” I eagerly told my friends about my bright idea. They nodded in agreement most probably out of courtesy.

Great. We’ll drink and ask for girls’ numbers. The night is going to be fantastic.
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I brought my Fuji X100 with me to Ortigas during a meeting so I could shoot in the streets in the afternoon. Shot from the hip at the time since Ortigas is really busy and I could shoot interesting people even if I just sat along the sidewalk.

Here are some of the photos I took there.

In the Middle of It All. I’m happy how this shot was framed with a girl in pretty clothes in the middle of it all.

Serenity. Something about this man looks tells me that’s he a quite relaxed and easygoing guy.

Running to Grandpa. A kid runs to greet his grandpa who came from work.
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“Road trippin’ with my two favorite allies
Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies
It’s time to leave this town
It’s time to steal away
Let’s go get lost
Anywhere in the U.S.A.”
- Road trippin’, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Our ride of choice: a Honda CB 110.

I put my helmet on and secured my bag on my back, as N and I prepared for our 110-kilometer ride south from Borongan to Guiuan, two towns of Eastern Samar, to attend a high school classmate’s ordination to the priesthood.

Many people I’ve encountered are remotely aware where Eastern Samar is, or if it even exists. I don’t blame them though. But to me, Eastern Samar is home, at least for the 6 years I stayed there while studying in the seminary.

N cranked up the engine of his red Honda CB 110, and we began our journey across Eastern Samar’s roads that beg for a dose of asphalt or cement, with its vast expanse of houses, trees, hills, and farmlands on the side that create a perfect backdrop to any road trip.

We estimated that the entire trip would take 3 hours or less, since we wouldn’t have to battle with craters of what used to be paved roads. Unlike larger vehicles, we could simply drive around them. However, rains constantly battered us along the road, so we had to take frequent stops to take cover from the rain.

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Story behind the photo: I sat along the sidewalk of Universal Studios Singapore when I saw these two couples sitting side by side. But although they’re both couples, the similarity ended there since you can draw a lot of contrasts from them by simply looking at the photo.