WASTE

I was browsing some folders in my pc and got stunned with the photo (above). I know it’s not about photography, but this one symbolizes a part of my life.

Few weeks ago I visited Macabalan – the place where I grew up. A remarkable change is what I always feel every time I go and visit my childhood friends there. That time, my intention was to shoot pictures of children as followers of our footsteps, growing in a same place but a different timeline. I wanted to see how change affected the people’s living in the place, how the environment changed after years.

After several hours, I went home, unsatisfied with my shots. I was frustrated for the waste of time and effort.

Looking into the picture, I never expected that that one has something to tell about me and the environment. Now I can say the shutter count never went into waste. Ten years ago, I was likely the same with those kids. My favorite place was the seashore. Catching fishes with my hands, getting wet and sloppy with my friends were my memorable childhood moments. It’s just like those kids in the photo. As I was taking shots, I can’t neglect the reality that the place where I usually spend my time is now really polluted.

Before, fishermen were enjoying their catch, plenty. They considered the particular area as the center for their living. However, these days, I barely see them sailing to catch fishes every time I go to the place. Or am I just a wrong timing?

Not far from the place where I took the photo is a beach, located near the road. It was called “Oy-oy” beach. The name sounds funny because people named it after often instances that while swimming they were bumped by dead bodies of pigs or dogs, or plastic bags full of garbage and even shits.

Few years back, the sidewalk was renovated. The plan was to make it a boulevard as it is near to the pier and easily to be seen by people from other places. It was successful. The residents loiter around the boulevard because the breeze provides cool air especially at night. Now, hardly I could see someone bathing in the beach. It is now “super polluted”. The place that was meant to be for relaxation is merely gone. How can someone relax if he can smell the different odors of a ton of floating garbage and scraps? The culprits can be easily identified.

I remember a photo of a clean-up drive with students posing like they were in a party, wearing shades and raising their banner. Their pose was meant for the documentary as if the proof of their activity. Sadly, it didn’t make a single change to the place in my point of view.

I feel pity to the place of my childhood. It’s nice to be back there, but I prefer to just imagine where I have been than experiencing how the pollution devoured the place.