Ask yourself, “Why am I seeing and feeling this? How am I growing? What am I learning?” Remember: Every coincidence is potentially meaningful. How high your awareness level determines how much meaning you get from your world. Photography can teach you to improve your awareness level. – Ansel Adams
I always love quoting Ansel Adams, his views on photography, how he looks at his subjects – not just mere shadows you put in a frame but a whole gamut of feelings and emotions, a whole life captured in just one little click of the camera. I have always dreamed of taking photos like these but only got the chance to take them two years ago, an afternoon spent with the denizens of Antipolo City in front of the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
I found these two kids at a makeshift stage at the cobbled walks in front of the Cathedral. It was a shy smile at first but the two didn’t want to look when I clicked the shutter. They were just plain contented with having a snack of Chippy and Cheese Curls. This reminds me of my childhood, just being with a playmate was heaven enough and you won’t really notice the time when you are with them.
Ah, the rigorous act of earning a living but still, one can find the time to relax and enjoy. Kids would surely love to have these balloons and toys to play with but no one is buying, how sad!
Can you imagine how many pieces of brooms he sells everyday?
Candles for sale. Candles are considered “spices” of the altar. Filipinos love to light candles while praying for their dead or hoping some wishes to come true or they are just used simply as altar offerings. They come in various colors and shapes.
Two years ago, the parking fee at the nearby areas of the Cathedral is a flat rate of P30.00. Last December, when we came back there, it was jacked- up to P40.00 and even private homes with wide lawns are being used for parking.
Hello Manang! I signaled just one shot and she smilingly obliged. I showed her the picture afterwards and she tapped me on the shoulder and said, salamat (thank you). I loved how she smiled at the camera.
One of the thrills of going to Antipolo are those well-known “suman sa ibos” and those crunchy cashew nuts. Suman sa ibos is perfect paired with ripe mango which the Philippines has plenty of and hot cup of Batangas coffee. You need to know how to bargain with the price of these sweets since every stall quotes different prices.
Religious articles, images of Sto. Nino, fans are some of the items being sold in front of the Cathedral. We Filipinos have that immense love for the Sto. Nino.
Happy and smiling faces despite the heat of the sun.They are selling sampaguita garlands. A day in the life of a tindera.
I asked him if I could take a shot, he looked at me with that shy smile and nodded his head. He is half-blind but still trying to make a living. He is probably not as old as we think he is, maybe his weathered face is just a reflection of the hard life that he has to endure day by day.
I am proud of this shot, the best so far that I took. It was when I zoomed the camera that I noticed his missing fingers.
And I’d like to end up this album with another quote from Ansel Adams. When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.
Dreams And Escapes 
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