Cebu Photowalk (September 21, 2009)

[carlomontoya]

Perhaps a few of the photos aren't 'street-like' but IMO, they are because I shot them while walking the streets. A few are blurry because I didn't have time to focus properly (haven't mastered the 2-3 second sharp shot by pro street shooters).

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1 I miss my mom

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3940907314_18d7de70fa_b.jpg

One of the puppies for sale in our streets.

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2 Fire escape?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/3941015086_a697ee1135_b.jpg

I don't know. Trying to escape a fire on this ladder is just like 'jumping from the fire into the frying pan' in this case.

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3 This is what our country looks like

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/3941016430_01229c1508_b.jpg

Our rivers are full of filth so if you get a chance to watch the video made by our Department of Tourism inviting you to visit our "beautiful" country, well, they're only showing you the things that would make you come here so you could spend your hard earned dollars and perhaps fund our president's next million peso meal in New York.

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4 Here comes the rain again

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/3941017386_7e8c4231dc_b.jpg

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5 A bent old lady with her parasol

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3941017956_0332656f3f_b.jpg

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6 Misery?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3940284269_38b6bf04ef_b.jpg

I don't think I'm human anymore. I had no feelings whatsoever when I took a picture of this man. He was a subject - no more, no less. I felt more for the puppy above.

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7 One of them doesn't know how to read

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2554/3940285997_08d4347e0a_b.jpg

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8 Want ad for a pimp

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/3941014344_f8b944304a_b.jpg

In the Philippines, we call them Mama-san (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mama-san). We also call them "floor managers." Jeez, what's next?

[Cyclop]

Touching series...

[carlomontoya]

I'm glad you were touched Cyclop. I guess living in my country since birth has desensitized me and visiting two -- Holland and Japan -- cemented the fact that we're hundreds of years behind. And yet, I still yearned for home after all ooh-ing and aah-ing. I'm such a dichotomous man.