I have always found it easier to photograph the people I like. I think when I make pictures of those I care for, making important empathetic and compassionate images is easy. Everything flows better because I like the subjects.
To that end I have redoubled my efforts to learn to speak Tagalog/Filipino/Tanglish. When I was in the Radium Hot Springs pool on the last day Saturday, I listened to a large group of Filipinos speaking Tagalog. I understood nothin!. I only picked up a word Miele and again. Time to work harder, time to bare down. My retirement is coming. I will try to put in 2 hours (Dalawang Oras) of language study each work shift, from now on.
I like all the Filipino people I meet. When I spoke to two people at the pool (husband and wife) they were so kind to me. If I want to photograph the Filipino’s living in Tondo slum. I need to have Tagalog skills as a bridge into their lives!!!
Note* The husband and wife were shocked I was going to Tondo, they spoke of the dangers. By the end of our 30-40 minute talk they were OK with the idea.
Note** I took mom to Radium Hot Springs again. Thus was our 6the trip there. She was away from her old folks home for 5 nights and loved the trip. Mom turns 89 next month, so I am not sure how many more times we can do this.
