The Talk

Batanes

Today, let's sit down.

I have brewed some coffee and bought some bread. I hope you like them. Even if you don't, it's fine. The sun is out, but the air is cool enough to give the fan a rest. It's quieter that way. Let us treat ourselves to silence. That is hard to come by here in the city. Don't worry about the sound your spoon makes as it clinks against your cup, stirring your coffee. If anything, it sets the mood.

Feel comfortable. You can look at me. Or look down. Anything you want to do. Or if you want me to turn on the fan, it's fine. The whir from the turning blades can't possibly ruin the day. It just makes it a tad bit noisier. 

It's been years.
We were going to own the world and smite the self-righteous, starting with the abusive landlady. But we were born with too much kindness, I think. We settled with turning her name to a verb- iv. to hurl all over the toilet seat after getting drunk. That was funny. Her being a word. I wish that had not been what happened to our dreams, though. That makes me sad. IS making me sad. Owning the world are just words we heard from a movie. The line sounded good and loaded. We never really understood it. Even so, it feels we're so very far from owning it. That's probably the only funny thing that's sad at the same time. 

Maybe it's not too late. It's ridiculous saying that when I told you I didn't believe in time that way. Change is more specific. But see, this coffee smells good. It has to. It is making me feel a little better, too. That's why I should never run out of it. I don't think we have to smell good. No, I like baths, but I meant that like the coffee smelling good. I think at any time of the day, we can either watch TV or look for homeless old people on the street to give food to.

Perhaps, after we are done with our cups, I will finally start learning how to grow rice. And you, you can start working on your smile. Or didn't you tell me you wanted to learn how to swim?
I am almost done. Let's do this again some time tomorrow, or next week or next year...maybe, many years later. 

I have to go. 

Good luck. 

Don't forget. 

Turn off the fan.

Never Stops

Oh, but it does.
Everything does. Even
our star. Long after
we are gone.
Still, it
does.

Muddy Piece of Meat and Weddings

Weddings.
My earliest recollection of them is learning how to walk down the aisle carrying rings on a heart-shaped pillow. I was the ring bearer, and I had to wear a ridiculous pair of pants and an even funnier shirt.

But the most interesting one did not happen until many years later. It was held in a remote town, at my grandparents' place. A cousin was getting married, and since I was the only one with a camera, I became the unofficial photographer. I took the pictures as the couple got on a big truck at the front seat, while the guests huddled together at the cargo area, laughing and getting ready for a bumpy ride. Then, I took more at the church and then at lunch, where everyone from the village (invited or not) swarmed for a free meal.

As It Falls

I am not one that's bothered by rain. The way it pelts the roof and the sound it creates are magic. I imagine the drops of water splashing on leaves, streets and colorful raincoats, forming puddles that reflect the sky. And though it usually keeps me home couched somewhere near the window, away from errands to be done outside, I do not mind. I keep still and listen to it slow down the world and see how it dims the sun, allowing for some time to look back on everything that brings forth a smile.

Capturing Pasig Palengke

Who knows where else my feet could take me?

It was a ridiculous idea to go to Pasig Palengke (Pasig Public Market) at one in the morning, and that's why I went. When my housemate asked if I wanted to go, I did not hesitate. Besides the experience of going there that early, it's a place I had always wanted to take street photos in.

I had never thought I could get vegetables and fruits at a much lower price at 1:00 a.m. Apparently, this is the best time to go if you want the freshest of goods at discounted prices. But it might not have been the safest hour.

Minalungao National Park

I could think of at least 5 ways to ruin a trip:
* Go on a trip with an idiot
* Go on a trip without checking the weather
* Go on a trip without knowing some things about the destination
* Get robbed or lose my baggage
* Miss the flight

And it is purely to satisfy my curiosity that I have experienced almost all, ok all, of the above. Really just because I was curious. But I never thought I would be adding to that list until last weekend when I went to see Minalungao National Park.

Add: Travel drunk or nurse a hangover the whole day.

So, over the weekend, I left a party at 4:30am after I got a call from friends I was taking the trip with. We were supposed to take the first bus at 5am, but they were running late, so we ended up taking the third one.