I am stating this in my own point of view. I am able to say this because of this particular experience I had unexpectedly last Friday, June 28, 2024. I was doing my household chores in the whole morning i.e. washing our clothes. I was thinking that time to go to church so that I can relax and listen something to feed my soul. Going to church is my top on the list.
There you go. My plan succeed. I was able to attend the 5pm mass riding a V-hire passing through Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, the tallest and longest bridge of the country so far. The 8.9 kilometer Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway is the first expressway in southern Philippines. It connects Mactan Island through Cordova town to mainland Cebu through the South Road Property. This was based on my research about CCLEX.
This photo was taken from the video of my cousin as I told her to capture the bridge.
I was heading to Basilica del Sto. Niño alternatively known as the Minor Basilica of the Holy Child. I noticed many church goers are busy taking pictures in front of the image of the Child Jesus before the Holy Mass starts at 5pm. It happened that at the center of the Basilica I saw "Tatay" an old man with his DSLR camera standing and waiting for people to stop by and took pictures in exchange for 100 pesos for two hard photos. I saw no one stops by to pose and get a picture by him.
Looks and appearances can be deceptive. However, at that time I felt something to do with Tatay. It just a thought that I don't know where it came from. It popped in my mind to take pictures so that Tatay will earn and I will have a picture. I asked Tatay to focus his lense of his camera to me and I took a pose even if I don't like to be photographed most especially I did it solo. That time I felt the urge to do so because I remember that no one wants to be pitied upon of. He gladly moved his lenses and direct me where should I stand. (In my thoughts it was so embarrassing because there are many faithful in this place). I considered it a little extension of help to Tatay without being obvious and perhaps it uplifts his dignity by supporting his craft and by not giving his alms instead. I claimed the lovely pictures after the Holy Mass. Never mind the model and the photo bomber. Why am I blogging this? Is to broadcast what I did? Of course not! I am doing this so that if by chance you will have the opportunity to go to the Minor Basilica of the Holy Child, then perhaps you can grab your own copies also captured by Tatay! I did not captured Tatay for hiding his identity and in the first place I was not able to ask permission from him.
After the celebrating the Holy Mass while claiming my pictures. I was disheartened because someone was just giving directly money to Tatay without being captured by his lense. Tatay was not asking for alms and some people just do it without thinking that having a hard copy of your image would bring happiness to other person because it xould ve his source of income because of his old age and passion of photography.
I hope we could be more sensitive of other feelings and needs. In short, let's build each other's up and treat other people with equal dignity like your own.
Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you have something to ponder about this writing.