Squararchy

All walks of like dominate this space, although some of them doesn't necessarily have functional legs. Some are strapped on a make-shift wheelchair, which could only be a prop for pity. Empty cups contrast the crowded streets of vendors and "faithful" churchgoers. Flames are lit in every candle that's sold for a few coins in exchange of God's answers to their prayers; the same fire heating the corn kernels or boiling the overused canola oil for the local delicacy.

Some nights I would go this place and just have a look around. To breathe, to think and to feel that life is worth living. This place reminds me of reality. Beneath the superficial, there are souls, and stories matched with simplicity. When the skies are clear and the stars try to illuminate despite the city lights, I sit on a reclined monobloc chair. The soothing touch of the swarthy hands that mend my muscles, while they feed my soul with the stories that made them through.  

If you'd look through their eyes, all you can see is darkness if I would tackle it literally, but there's a light oozing from within. What drives them to feel so alive and push through is a metaphor of mystery. Is it the hope that keeps them going or the desperation to get out of the state of nothingness? It could be a gift, when there's nothing; but desperation calls in the vindication of the ventre. In many forms, they find ways. They never fail, because they're survivors.

Surviving in this chaotic cosmos is a never-ending story. Where oriental tradesmen live in better spaces rather than the native islanders who are never given the chance. Let's point fingers, because it always solve the problem. If not, wash hands, because it's good to keep them nice and clean. There's hope in a seemingly hopeless hole or Saint Peter Square, I would call it.

In San Pedro, it's also where the men gather. Bored or for business, there's always a reason to come here. The photographers asking to take you photo in exchange of a little amount is the paramount of my experience being in this place. Hearing the tales of the heyday, when people actually came for photos. The only proof to make their stories credible are the grey-strands in their head and the wrinkled hands that showed me vintage SLR lenses from their slouching spines,  tirelessly lugging them around.

The turf of the booming small-scale entrepreneurs deploy their shops in this square. Smiles on their sweaty faces make up for their make-shifts stalls that seems to have almost no standards. I always think, will they ever get the chance to get somewhere else? With the portability of their shop, how hard could it be? Is it the tide of the elite making it impossible for them to do so? For them to set up their stalls in the luxurious shopping centres being laid out across this developing city? There's over 1 million souls in this humble place I call home, and it's good to know that it is here I find the happiest. Whether you're here to eat or pray; sleep or play... there's a space for you and spiel to make you feel anew.

Shin Knee

THIS world-class Megalopolis has left me drooling and daydreaming about the 'this-young-but-old' appeal. Shin knee-- that's how most of its people say the place they're from. You have an idea what I am talking about.

In Adelaide Airport, I yelled "Yes!" inside me when I saw that our flight bound to Sydney was delayed. For the first time ever, I've bought a ticket with insurance, for delayed or cancelled flights-- then I checked again, it was only a 10-minute delay and now I'm not sure if it's worth the lodging for.

Onkaparinga River Park

Or, I'd like to call it Four Seasons Farm. It's a pretty cool park, especially that it's located just off the road and this serves like a green patch for the growing community. Stunning views, with native species cultivate in the area! So exciting!

 “The perfect life, the perfect lie, I realised after Christmas, is one which prevents you from doing that which you would ideally have done (painted, say, or written unpublishable poetry) but which, in fact, you have no wish to do. People need to feel that they have been thwarted by circumstances from pursuing the life which, had they led it, they would not have wanted; whereas the life they really want is precisely a compound of all those thwarting circumstances.”-- Geoff Dyer

Live sometimes always.

Seacliff

My feet starts to itch again

Memoirs of Davao and Morningside Heights

Most of my life was spent in Morningside Heights, an infamous tiny suburb for the elite pioneers back in the 60s, but that glories are all fading as Davao emerges to be a town of equal opportunities for immigrants. It has been exactly 20 weeks since I left this laid-back little crowded town, and it's only now that it syncs to me that I miss it.

It's dodgy and sleazy, but it's also a home for me. I speak the language, I speak the dialect. I know how to blend in when I'm there, and I can recognise the foul odour of it's iconic fruit as an aroma.

The photo above is my hideaway, from our 3-storey house, on my attic bedroom, I have this roof access. Our house is situated on a hilltop in the uptown district, so I have a good view of lights yet enjoy the silence of the echoing nearby power plant. It's also good to walk less than 10 minutes down the hill to get some goodies at the 24-hour servo, 'convenience'.

I would remember just randomly going out at night and meeting friends, they're just a text away. They seem that you're always the top-priority friend. Seeing them is just a jeepney ride away, no checking of bus timetables or buying a ridiculously priced bus ticket. Just hop into one (that heads to your destination), hand in some few spare change and that can take you as far as the driver decides. I can also catch a cab: safe and very cheap. It's very reliable and if you're lucky, the driver will try to put in some effort for a pleasing conversation.

I like how this little budding metropolis was born out of spontaneity: diverse locals, imported 'native' plants, sprouting mega shopping centres and urban zoning hopelessly enacted.  It's all about trying your luck, rubbing elbows and looking at the bright-side of life. No plannings, no worries.

The weather is something too, it's accurately inaccurate. It's unpredictable. Humid, hot. You wouldn't want to walk one block, or else you'd perspire to dehydration, but I did it anyway. I am dark-skinned so I will have no worries about skin cancer, and taking an umbrella is socially acceptable even without rain, so sometimes I'd use it. The blasting air-conditioners in every establishment always feels like an oasis in the scorching desert. My tert school had it, I miss that place. I miss the people there.

The luxury incorporated in malls is also one thing I miss. The presence of wealthier people and tourists is probably the ones to blame, but hey, we all enjoyed it. I lived almost near everything and I like that proximity. It's walking-distance, apart from here where it seems like you have to drive to get anywhere. I miss the green-classy shops, Abreeza as it's popularly called. The beautiful 5 o'clock dusk at The Peak, too.

It's a little town, though locals think it's big. It's just populous and striving to gain reputation, maybe. I like it, I miss it. I don't see coming back any time soon, but surely,  when I do, I'll probably wish to stay longer again. I like my set-up before, I could live both in Australia and in the little southern Filo town, but not any more, I've gotten older and things can't happen the way I want to be. At least for now.

Australian Summer

The holidays in Australia is about sun and fun. Meanwhile it's all about cute knitted jumpers (sweaters) and scarves on the other side of the pole; it's about thongs (flip flops), the bay and threats of bush-fires in our area. I had a wonderful time spending these days getting days off my tacky job and being with special people.

One weekend, I spent the night with school friends which turned to a skate night. Few hours from then, I freshened myself up with nothing but a borrowed shirt with a tie; going for a wedding coverage in my work pants, work shoes and a dampened hair. Yes, I wore my work pants and work shoes while skating the previous night. Back-up photographer, no pressure at all.

Beaumont House

Beaumont House, occasionally known as Claremont, is an eclectic Romanesque-Classical brick residence located at 631 Glynburn Road in Beaumont, South Australia. Beaumont House was constructed for Augustus Short, the first Anglican bishop of Adelaide and founder of St Peter's Cathedral.

Korean Food and Cultural Festival

Korean Food and Cultural Festival

From the islands where I hailed from, this familiar culture has embedded a strong mark in our society. I like their cuisine, culture and fashion and I was delighted to know there was a small event to recognise the Korean culture in Adelaide.

Some things think they are better, but in fact they aren't. (I don't want to argue, just value my opinion) I thought this was a gift from the Heavens, but when I saw the alternative chemical sweetener, I changed my mind.

THIS. The gift from the Heavens, well, you can also count the ladies.

This is my mum on her simple form, being pretty on her late 50's.

It was a lovely day to go for a dip, and where else would you go if you can get it from the heart of it all!

So this is why I think girls that like princesses are hard to please.

We were full from a hearty (heart-diseasy) lunch we had before going to Rundle Park, so only an ice pole was good enough to chew on this time.

Credit Union Christmas Pageant 2012

Credit Union Christmas Pageant 2012

"A picture tells a thousand words."

I was about to cry as I was walking my way to work-- I can only watch the prelude of what would be a really great parade.

As I dragged my feet for a long shift, I just felt I can be a part of this event by taking photos of the people as they station themselves to watch the upcoming floats and most especially, Father Christmas.

At this point, I was crying because I was only a few steps away from missing the pageant.

I immediately found a spot, and yes, I came to work and told me I didn't have to work-- I was the happiest child in Adelaide.