Friday, February 25

Our JourneyHome 7: The Melting Pot or The Perfect Buffet

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What I love most about my country is its never-ending contrasts.

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We have people who adore going out with friends - but still remain family-oriented. We have passionate career women who are also passionate mothers. We love our streetfood as much as we love our restaurants. We have old-fashioned barber shops nestled inside our newest malls.

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We are everything all together in one little mixing pot.

Small sidewalk stores selling people-shaped black candles and amulets stand beside one of the oldest Catholic churches in the Philippines.

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One of our prettiest and most secluded volcano craters stand tall and proud amidst restaurants which have mushroomed over time.

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And our older generations sit comfortably and pass time with the rest of the world.

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I love the mix. The sour, the sweet, the bitter and the bland. It's in our cuisine. And it's in our people.

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And because I bring a little of my country in me, I am also a mix of contrasts. I love living in a far-away country and experiencing a culture different from mine almost as much as I love being in my mother's house. I love showing a whole lot of the country which makes me who I am as much I love keeping it away from prying eyes. I love places which are smelly, sweet, pungent and exciting.

When I'm in Manila, in my head I always say: Bring it on, Life. Fill me up like there was no tomorrow!

And I did.

And it did.

I miss my country.

3 comments:

edlapiz said...

Salamat, Chie, for sharing these throbbing-with-life images. I enjoyed not only the pictures but also your point of view, your framing, your angle.

PRETENDING TO BE A CITY, QUIAPO IS ACTUALLY ALL THE PROVINCES OF THE PHILIPPINES COPULATING TOGETHER UNDER FLIMSY URBAN SHEETS. :-)

Chie Sipin - Bjarenas said...

thanks for peeking in, Tito! your words have just made my day!

(and your postscript sums up how most of us feel about our gritty, dirty, rich & beautiful Quiapo.)

Dyablo said...

Great pics, chie!