the first day i arrived in bais city, a little way up the highway from dumaguete, i was treated to a parade for a private school's founder's day. a college marching band lead the procession, with the kindergarten aged children following close behind in various costumes. it blocked the main highway running north to san carlos, but no one seemed to mind. a small but simple parade really made my day as i saw the bright smiles on all the beautiful children. a policeman who lead the parade in a truck with lights flashing and sirens blarring, asked me if i wanted to ride in the back to take better pictures. of course i climbed in quickly as not to slow down this important event. as a photographer, one of my favorite subjects to photograph in the philippines are the little children. they are so beautiful and some are so poor, but one thing i noticed is that they all seem to be happy, no matter their social standing. the intimacy of such a parade made me fall in love with the philippines, and i went there 3 times during 2006. the faces i photograph keep my memories alive and the colors there are so bright and lovely that i am always viewing my photo archives to re-live those memories. i will be returning to the philippines in may of 2007 and hope to find another parade or festival to enjoy and partake in, as i feel so at home there on the islands.  |