Rallying Cry

San Francisco, CA

As Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino delivers his State of the Nation Address, Filipinos based from all across the globe took to the streets to make known to the world the People's State of the Nation Address. Filipinos in the Bay Area gathered in the heart of San Francisco's Union Square, and marched down to the Philippine Consulate to voice out their protests.                                                       

The Red Balloon

Brooklyn Bridge, NYC

She seemed like an illusion, absolutely out of place. She moved slowly, almost gliding across the wooden planks, juxtaposed with the busy movement of the people around her. It was surreal. The funny thing was that nobody seemed to have noticed her. How unfortunate it was, I thought. Sometimes, we just have to look around to see something special happening in our midst.

Aoide's Lullaby

                  A boy nestles his head on the piano as he listened to the beautiful melody it conceived. 

                                                                                                           Fillmore Street, San Francisco

Running with the Boys

Te'Shon and Sonje' are my little buddies. I got the chance to spend a day with them during my stay in Bermuda--and boy, was it a fun day! They had me running around, up and down the hills, clambering up brick walls, rolling on the dirt, and many other things that would make old-timers keel over. Good thing I'm not an old-timer; I definitely kept up with these two, energetic, spirited and inquisitive youngsters. Te'Shon wants to become a policeman when he grows up, while Sonje' dreams of becoming a firefighter.

Counting eggs. "...18, 19, 32, 35, 50!" exclaims Sonje'.

 

 

"I busted it..." says Sonje', referring to the cut on his forehead. He explains that

he ran into a classmate during playtime at school.

 

Te'Shon exhibits his reading skills. 

The Echoes of Traz

Time stood still, it seemed to me

the cracks, the filth, the dreary atmosphere

all that remains of what once was the most feared place

was left untouched, the richness of its past

preserved, so we all can share the stories

that these stone walls once obscured

Behind the bar of a dark, cold cell

eyes closed, I stood there quietly

shutting out the noise of the coming and goings of other people

I tried to listen

I tried

I heard nothing

but the sound of my own thoughts

What kind of life would it be

to be confined in this place

with no one to talk to

but these walls

to be stripped off my name

and in its stead be given a number

Silent prayers

of men who did their time

"When will these gates open to set me free?"

But they knew the answer

Looking out the barred windows

they find solace in hearing

 the raucous call of the gulls