Photo Essay: Brotherly Love

I happened to pass by Malate church and saw these street children in front of the church. I was touched as to how the kuya (elder brother) showed care and love to his younger brother. 

I will not talk much and will let the photos tell the story. In the spirit of street photography/photo journalism, i did not alter or edited the photos. Hope you get the message and the STORY.

I know how it feels to be a ‘mother’ last night

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have my own child yet and neither I am bearing one nor adopting one. It’s just that I felt what a mother might be feeling when time comes for her child to leave and spread his/her wings.

My younger brother, whom I am sending to college, is like a ‘child’ of mine. I started rearing him two years ago when he came here in Manila to study. But little did I know that, I was just a provider for him for the last two years. It was only last night that I became emotionally involved with his life. And so, last night was memorable and I cried.

Last night he texted me that he left the house of our elder brother and he will now be staying in a boarding house together with two other ‘strangers’ as I call them. He said he’ll take care of budgeting the allowance I’m giving him especially now that he has to pay for the monthly house rental. I asked a lot of questions, just what a mother does, I guess, given the same situation. I don’t want him to live on his own because I fear about his safety. I’m worried that he might stumble upon a group of drug addicts, smokers, heavy drinkers that could influence him badly. I fear that he might forget about his studies and his life will be gone astray.

But he needs it. He has to spread his wings and learn how to be independent. He has to discover reality and know what life really is all about. He needed to leave his comfort zone under the auspices of a family just the same as when I left my mother and father a decade ago.

And so last night, I cried. I cried because I am not ready to let go of my brother. I cried because I’m worried about his security. I cried because I remember my parents in the province and realized how painful it was for them every time one of their kids leaves them. I cried because I know that I will feel the same feeling when time comes that my own children will leave me in the future.

I don't wanna love

I am sad.
I am tired.
I hate this life
This damn life of mine.

Why me?
When there are many.
Why is it always always me?
Your eyes are all pointed to me.

I don't wanna love
If love is seen that way.
I don't want to have a family
If all burden is on to me.

Poor I for I have much love in my heart
I wanna lift the curse but it seems to linger till forever
Signing off is not a prerogative either
Oh my, shall i stay bitter or just wait for this love to wither?

Kelan kaya?

Nakakainggit sila...
Sa malayong tanaw pagmamahal sa isa't-isa ang aking nakikita.
Gusto ko ring umakyat ng bundok
At masilayan ang paglubog ng araw kasama ka.
Kelan kaya kita makakasama doon sa tuktok?

Unconditional love

"When nobody cares, come to me.
When seemingly there's no solution to your problem, call me.
When you are confused, seek my advice and guidance.
When the world turns mad, seek my company.
When you feel troubled and overwhelmed with pain, let me comfort you." -Lord

I miss you Sis

Today is your 21st birthday, supposedly.
I could have bought a dress for you or a bag perhaps.
I could have treated you to a dinner.
I could have shared with you my problems.

But you left me when you were still an angel.
I was nine then, a grade schooler. You were four.
I was washing your clothes at the communal "sagurong" (faucet) in our village when somebody broke the news.
It was the brother of my bestfriend Liezl.

Yes, i did not believe him; I told him that he was just kidding...
I left you at home with Mama and Papa in fine condition.
You were being treated by that other-village's albularyo (quack doctor).
Yes, you were ill but you were on the road to full recovery.

Who would have thought that on that day you will leave us.
The sunny day of June 10 that happened to be the birthday of our brother became a day of grief not of festivity.
You took with you our hearts, love and tears.
It was the very first time my heart was broken.

In my young mind, i envied your restful sleep in that pink coffin.
But you were crying, you dropped a tear in your face, I witnessed it.
I was afraid of dead people then but not of you.
I am your ate and so I love you and I was gravely saddened by your sudden goodbye.

Wherever you are now, I do hope that you feel our love.
Sorry that I was not able to visit you in your grave last November 1.
But in my heart, you are always alive.
You will always be my little sister Rouella =)

Amazing and incredibly inspiring story

This video shows a father's love for his son. Unconditional love like our Father's love for us. Love does conquer everything, even the seemingly impossible. It breaks all barriers to our dreams, happiness and fulfillment.

I am totally touched and moved by Rick and Dick Hoyt's story so i wanna share it with everyone. Let's hope that love will always remain burning amongst everyone of us.

Overwhelming responsibilities

It’s more than I can take (sigh!)

Oh yeah, you got it right; that’s an expression of weariness and despondency. All aspects of my life require me to be strong (or at least to pretend to be strong, hopeful and happy ) but inside, the pain and unease run deep.

The trigger was pulled and here I am ranting, seeking for people who could understand me. And I am happy that they are there for me to extend moral, emotional and even financial support. This is the positive side, you find out who really are your friends for without even asking, they give you and tell you what others wouldn’t. They are the people who know me and whom I trust and shared myself with. I love them.

On Career
You hoped that somehow your efforts will be rewarded or at least be recognized. But you have just learned that it is just another exploitative world. They milk out the best in you; they grab your youth and kindness. You are left in the dark for no good. And you, because you want to learn and discover new things and be the one you are --professional, civic minded, and driven – you do more than what is required from you. That’s because you are used to volunteerism and charity work. Just pray that you’ll not reach the state of being burnt out that soon or you’re out.

On Family
You do love your family and so you voluntarily assumed responsibilities that you could have dismissed early on because you have your own life to build. Your two younger brothers who are both in college depend on you. And here comes enrolment and you are compelled again to shell out money for their tuition and allowances. You love them and you believe that the best investment is on education and on people (not on material things) so you do it without hesitation. But in times of great need, when you yourself are in the verge of financial bankruptcy, you feel the overwhelming responsibilities in your shoulders. You want to develop yourself too, enter graduate school and invest in your future. So you bear the most difficult situation of enrolment blues (made even more miserable by the long process of salary disbursement).

On love
You’ve invested so much in your relationship hoping that it will see a happy ending. But everything is hanging now. You lost interest in the so-called ‘next level’ and shifted your priorities in your studies, work and social life (friends). You waited and dreamt of the most momentous event but failed to realize it. And so you’re infuriated and now confront a cloud of doubt.


You just love challenge, don’t you? So be strong! Be happy and be thankful to God that you made it to graduate school (MA at UP-NCPAG). You can now start weaving and reuniting your dreams...

Oblivion

What is in there that you forgot that precious possession of yours? What is in store for you and me for our tomorrow's existence? What, when, where and how?

Today is where we face another crossroad. It might be one of the big challenges that we just have to surpass so we will be prepared for the bigger ones later on in our lives.


There are lots of distractions out there, lots of temptations to fight over with. Today is just as critical as yesterday and the coming days, months, or years...

If today seemingly doesn't count, then how would tomorrow do?

A climb once more

"Look farther down the road of your life. Focus on the things you can change about your future."

I got this advice from Friendster horoscope yesterday. Oh, how timing it is to this girl who is again facing another trek, another mountain. Yeah, it calls for another stamina once again. But i won't give up; i will push through till the climb is over. I wont wither. I hope i wont get dehydrated along the way, i pray. Aja!

Blank

could not utter a word. only tears (sigh!)

Sunshine

The first drops were good for a deserted heart that longed for the rain melodies.
Such were showers that brought life to those melancholic days.
But now, after a series of cyclones, the heart that used to love the rain, hates the rain.

It was too cold in the rain. And so, the heart is now following the path not of the clouds, but of the cheerful birds who love the sunshiney days. Oh sun rays... please come out of those dark heavy clouds. Heal the wounds of this heart damaged by the rain.

Sunshine where are you?!