Meet My Photographer

During the dark times (literally because there was no electricity) when me and my younger sister were 'evacuees' in our matriarchal grandmother's huge house because of the recent typhoon, I kept myself busy by looking at our very old, yet precious, family photos.

Because of Papang, I had a vivid memory on how I lived my childhood. I knew how I looked like while growing up. In such an early age, I learned how to gamely pose for a photo op once he calls me, his trusty point-and-shoot Nikon in hand. I was a happy toddler then and he made sure to properly document my first smiles, first wobbly walks, my boo-boos when I fell down while riding a bicycle, and how I was baby-ed by the people around me. Good times, indeed. Good times.

Papang, my grandfather, is a natural shutterbug. He loves taking shots of his family for as long as I can remember and keeps stacks and stacks of photo albums dating back the olden times from when he and Mamang were still boyfriend-girlffriend, the eventful, and countless family reunions, up until the time my youngest cousin was born.

As I flipped through the dusty photo albums, I found myself getting emotional at every snapshot. Why? Papang and aren't that close but he gave me something that is priceless. He never really expressed verbally how he loves me but Papang proved it through his lens even though he was never a professional photographer. He was also the complete opposite of Mamang-- quiet, reserved and mostly kept everything to himself that's why I will be forever be intrigued of what he thinks.

Now that he is already over eighty years old and gone through a critical brain surgery, it breaks my heart that he doesn't even recognize me anymore. I have to introduce myself every time I drop by their house, and then he only nods in aknowledgment as I kiss him in the cheek. He smiles at me occassionally but I know he thinks of me now as nothing but a mere stranger. This is one of the harsh realities I have to face and I must say that it sucks. Big time.

Thank you, Papang. You're one of the people who taught me to appreciate life and capture them through photos. I'll always be your "Maga" and that's a promise.