It is said, that the ones who can hurt us the most are the ones closest to us. There's no pain like seeing someone you know intimately turn into someone else and look at you like you're a stranger. Time and again I found myself in the receiving end of that for the past decade or so - I kept losing people I held close.
But before this becomes a sappy morose story, let me end it at that. To make a change in this status quo I now endeavor to once again go beyond my comfort zone- the world is full of interesting people. A lot of them I see, but I never had the chance to talk to them. And so there's this crazy idea - why not capture them on film and a bit of their story?
So, basically I now find the world to be a vast room full of strangers. Why not go chat them up?
But before this becomes a sappy morose story, let me end it at that. To make a change in this status quo I now endeavor to once again go beyond my comfort zone- the world is full of interesting people. A lot of them I see, but I never had the chance to talk to them. And so there's this crazy idea - why not capture them on film and a bit of their story?
So, basically I now find the world to be a vast room full of strangers. Why not go chat them up?
Except for a few trivial things - rejection affects me a bit more than it should, I'm the least appealing person in terms of looks that I know of, and I'm also socially awkward with inept social skills... Ay, there's the rub.
One Saturday I found myself going through some morose times, and I found myself relaxing in this place I've never heard of before. Through the suggestion of someone I know, I found myself in La Finca. This had a lovely panoramic view of Taal Volcano and it was a fitting place to have some quiet time alone.
In the course of the afternoon I found a Caucasian man pass by talking to the waiter. They seemed to be having a problem with the sliding door and they exerted some effort to open it. To my surprise he pulled out some lubricant - a can of WD-40. He liberally sprayed it on the railing of the sliding door until the door started moving smoothly. The look on the waiter's face was undeniable - he was grateful like a lot of burden was taken off of him.
I think that was an interesting turn of events. I'm not sure what happened but that wasn't something I see everyday. Does he own the place? Doesn't look like it considering how the waiter looked at him - He looked like a customer. I finally managed to gather my guts to chat with this stranger and know his story - why? Because why not? Basically our conversation panned out like this. Not the exact words, just reconstructing them from memory.
"Hi there. So, you walk around with a can of WD-40? That's so cool!"
"Hahahaha no I don't... If I did I'd be able to grease everything that won't move, eh?" he said.
"I come here often. So basically I'm familiar with the folks here. There was a time that this sliding door got rusted so much and it took a lot of strength to just open and close it. At one point it felt like it was gonna take a body builder to just close and open the sliding door. Instead of just complaining, I opted to be part of the solution and bought that WD-40 to be used on the stuck door. Now it opens and closes with minimal effort. Be part of the solution instead of just complaining."
I'm somewhat enlightened in his wisdom. "I think that's so cool what you did and more people should follow your example -even in the little things. If it's alright with you, I'm doing a personal project for my blog taking portraits of people I find interesting. I'd like to take your portrait - because I think more people should follow your example. May I?"
Then to my surprise, he agreed.
"I didn't catch your name by the way..."
"Alex."
I went home somewhat amazed on that day.
Alex is the first of many strangers I'll come to appreciate. Of course it's not necessarily limited of some noble traits that can make one be interesting. Sometimes, just being accommodating and unique can catch the eye. That's where my next story comes in.
I wandered into this place called StrEAT along that highway going back to Santa Rosa back from Tagaytay...
I got to this place called El Kiosko Cubano. I thought the menue was interesting, and I've never tried Cuban dishes before, so I thought it was worth a try. The dude managing the place was alone, and he was accommodating. I had no idea what to try first, he gave a suggestion - an awesome thin crust pizza. Needless to say I was amazed. Apart from that, he made it look stylish. Also, the dude was making a fashion statement - he was both cook and waiter, and his hat made it look cool. I thought it deserved a picture, and he was kind enough to humor me... I never got his name though. D'oh!
There are others that I'll be posting soon. So far this is encouraging to me, so I should keep at this. There are a lot of kind and interesting people around us, and I intend to meet them- one stranger at a time.
Also, follow me Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Flickr, and Instagram. Yes, I'm kind of all over the place. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts on the comments as well. Until then, don't be afraid to get lost and wander.
One Saturday I found myself going through some morose times, and I found myself relaxing in this place I've never heard of before. Through the suggestion of someone I know, I found myself in La Finca. This had a lovely panoramic view of Taal Volcano and it was a fitting place to have some quiet time alone.
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| Best enjoyed with an ultra-wideangle lens. |
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| A seat here, a cold drink and a quiet afternoon enjoying the view of Taal Volcano makes for a relaxing afternoon. |
In the course of the afternoon I found a Caucasian man pass by talking to the waiter. They seemed to be having a problem with the sliding door and they exerted some effort to open it. To my surprise he pulled out some lubricant - a can of WD-40. He liberally sprayed it on the railing of the sliding door until the door started moving smoothly. The look on the waiter's face was undeniable - he was grateful like a lot of burden was taken off of him.
I think that was an interesting turn of events. I'm not sure what happened but that wasn't something I see everyday. Does he own the place? Doesn't look like it considering how the waiter looked at him - He looked like a customer. I finally managed to gather my guts to chat with this stranger and know his story - why? Because why not? Basically our conversation panned out like this. Not the exact words, just reconstructing them from memory.
"Hi there. So, you walk around with a can of WD-40? That's so cool!"
"Hahahaha no I don't... If I did I'd be able to grease everything that won't move, eh?" he said.
"I come here often. So basically I'm familiar with the folks here. There was a time that this sliding door got rusted so much and it took a lot of strength to just open and close it. At one point it felt like it was gonna take a body builder to just close and open the sliding door. Instead of just complaining, I opted to be part of the solution and bought that WD-40 to be used on the stuck door. Now it opens and closes with minimal effort. Be part of the solution instead of just complaining."
I'm somewhat enlightened in his wisdom. "I think that's so cool what you did and more people should follow your example -even in the little things. If it's alright with you, I'm doing a personal project for my blog taking portraits of people I find interesting. I'd like to take your portrait - because I think more people should follow your example. May I?"
Then to my surprise, he agreed.
"I didn't catch your name by the way..."
"Alex."
I went home somewhat amazed on that day.
 |
| "I come here often. So basically I'm familiar with the folks here. There was a time that this sliding door got rusted so much and it took a lot of strength to just open and close it. Instead of just complaining, I opted to be part of the solution and bought that WD-40 to be used on the stuck door. Now it opens and closes with minimal effort. Be part of the solution instead of just complaining. No, I don't walk around with a can of WD-40." -Alex |
Alex is the first of many strangers I'll come to appreciate. Of course it's not necessarily limited of some noble traits that can make one be interesting. Sometimes, just being accommodating and unique can catch the eye. That's where my next story comes in.
I wandered into this place called StrEAT along that highway going back to Santa Rosa back from Tagaytay...
 |
| This is the view from my seat in the El Kiosko Cubano booth in StrEAT going to Tagaytay. |
I got to this place called El Kiosko Cubano. I thought the menue was interesting, and I've never tried Cuban dishes before, so I thought it was worth a try. The dude managing the place was alone, and he was accommodating. I had no idea what to try first, he gave a suggestion - an awesome thin crust pizza. Needless to say I was amazed. Apart from that, he made it look stylish. Also, the dude was making a fashion statement - he was both cook and waiter, and his hat made it look cool. I thought it deserved a picture, and he was kind enough to humor me... I never got his name though. D'oh!
 |
| "We've only been here (at StrEATS) for three months. Hopefully all goes well and we'll be here longer." - Cool dude whose name I forgot to ask. |
There are others that I'll be posting soon. So far this is encouraging to me, so I should keep at this. There are a lot of kind and interesting people around us, and I intend to meet them- one stranger at a time.
Also, follow me Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Flickr, and Instagram. Yes, I'm kind of all over the place. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts on the comments as well. Until then, don't be afraid to get lost and wander.
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