a little girl of four asked me: "why do you like taking pictures?"
how do you answer a wide-eyed little girl about why you're trying to capture a moment, a scene, a thing? how do you tell another human being about your passion or your soul's longings?
"i have two reasons. one, because i want to freeze moments forever." i told her.
"so you'll have a remembrance of it when you're old and become forgetful." she offered.
"yes! exactly." i smiled. she's one intelligent kid. i only cared about ice cream and pink shoes with cute ribbons when i was four.
"what's the other one?" she asked in between chewing mentos dragees i gave her.
i spoke very slowly, afraid she might not understand me: "you see, i'm not very good with words. so instead of writing, i take pictures. they are my words, my thoughts, my feelings. they are my poems. they are my memories. they are stories of my trips, my weekend escapades, my everyday life. they are even stories of my childhood."
she nodded knowingly as though she understood every word i said. maybe, she did.
"ok then, take my picture so you'll remember me."
the place: ayala avenue. the man driving the car behind us was honking his horn like he was in an emergency situation. he wanted us to move forward even if the traffic enforcer ordered stop. the cab driver couldn't help but comment:
"akala mo naman kung ano kotse niya. toyota lang pala. kung umasta siya, parang mercedes ang kotse niya."
i told the driver that those who are really rich won't be behaving like that. they'd be more respectful and polite and patient.
"tama ho kayo. ang mga di masyadong mayayaman, sila ang mayabang at matataas magsalita. akala mo kung sino."
of course, there are exceptions. but then, that was also a valid observation. and i've met and encountered a lot of people like that. they treat other people and speak to and about others like they've been born to wealth or are gods and goddesses with beautiful faces to match. but when you really look at them — the kind of jobs they're holding, the kind of words they're using (what rich, educated person will say "putang ina?"), the way they're moving and talking – you realize that they're not part of the rich, educated society. they just believe that they are. haha.
but when you look closer and ask who they really are? they are, to quote miriam defensor-santiago, lower life forms. and they are nowhere near the wealth of the ayalas.
speaking of the ayalas, they're so grounded. and kind. and yes, you'll never hear them lambast anyone, or say "p.i." or honk their BMW horns.
i've been quite busy lately, i could hardly reply to emails, blogs, or my threads. ugh. i haven't even slept yet. been awake, working, for more than 24 hours already. and i'm sick. i'm rushing things because the congress is drawing near. i'm beginning to feel the pressure.
i've too much to say. too many things i want to write about. but too little time.
i left multiply so i could write my own personal thoughts without the danger of being judged. afterall, i don't have any network here in i.ph. oh well…
my friends were right, i shouldn't have left multiply. so i decided to go back to multiply and blog there. (i'll still be blogging here, of course).
here's the link (so you won't have to google me) – FOOTPATHS.
just three pieces of friendly advice though. when you read my entries –
1. check out the dates. you might be reacting to something
i've written ages ago.
2. remember that it's my own personal website, my own thoughts,
my own space. to each her own.
3. if you still don't get nos 1 & 2, read the bloggers' code of ethics
or teacher sol. they're both good reads, you know.
