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Philippines
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This is an on-line journal of personal voyages back to the land of
my birth. As fate had it,
I began visiting the Philippines after twenty-seven years absent. |
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Subliminal callings
now keep leading me back to this
place, in search of kin and roots... fresh photographic opportunities... and other
serendipitous
adventures. My observations, at times surreal - have been
insightful. I find a country full of
contrast that just somehow fittingly co-exist. The Yin and the Yang
is well depicted here. Although dichotomies abound,
the warm hospitality and deep down goodness of people are quite
apparent everywhere I have been. Its diversity is showcased in vibrant colors
of the Jeepneys to the assorted
dialects and from the varied cuisine to the dynamic state of its politics.
Definitely, the Philippines is a photographer's cornucopia or a
journalist's topic well. |
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I feel like a child
again when I visit, this time more aware and so eager to discover with keener
senses, with a much kindred spirit, and a reopened heart.
I never really expected too
much at first. my intent were just to
re-acquaint with time-distant relatives and childhood friends, visit
tourist destinations, eat luscious golden sweet mangoes and savor a few bites of
crunchy lechon skin. But I
was pleasantly surprised and overtaken by the charm and
the magic that the Philippines offers, with a culture full of life and a character that
could fill a soul.
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It is so refreshing to see beauty from simple objects like
a flower (abundant even within the severely congested and polluted
Metro-Manila area) to the people who I found to be good natured, extremely friendly, trusting, humble, and
always full of hope --
despite the never ending struggles, challenges, and the growing pains of change as the
country move forward to the future. At times, I wonder
if I am witnessing the country in the brink of a new renaissance or a
new people power driven revolution. I can
envision the country being poised to emerge as another Asian Dragon
especially if the people and the government can really get their acts
together.
but there are many signs of moving forward despite the problems and challenges
at hand. Only time can validate these hindsight. |
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More places await to be discovered; more people to meet, and
more to learn.
I yearn to continue my journeys while documenting my experiences as seen through eyes
of one now foreign,
yet still cognizant his beginnings, roots, and reconnections with a country that gives
me a good sense of pride. |
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I hope to entice you,
my dear site visitor, to
personally visit the Philippines. Experience for yourself this beautiful
country and meet one of the warmest and hospitable people you'll even come across with.
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I am very confident that you will have
a similar appreciation that I now have when you view the images on the pages
ahead. Am I just being a bit nostalgic? Perhaps... but you too may
be entranced by the magic. I can guarantee it can at least lift up your heart and your spirit!
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- Tommy Bombon |
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