PAGBALIK

Roughly translated, the Filipino word "pagbalik" means "to return". This then is my return to my hometown and my roots in photography.

[pag-balik]

Perks.

This is one of the best things about living in high altitude. 

(Shot using a Nikon EM with expired Kodak Colorplus 200)

[pag-balik]

Begging.

I find this very sad.

(Shot using a Nikon EM with expired Kodak Colorplus 200)

[pag-balik]

Flora.

Baguio is littered with flowers. We just need to take better care of them.

(Shot using a Nikon EM with expired Kodak Colorplus 200)

[pag-balik]

Old.

You’ll find a lot of old wooden houses around Baguio. It used to be (and still is) a vacation spot for a lot of people (Filipinos or foreigners alike). 

(Shot using a Nikon EM with expired Kodak Colorplus 200)

[pag-balik]

Jeeps.

Jeeps or Jeepneys are the most iconic form of transportation all around the Philippines and Baguio’s clearly not an exception. Each jeep is decorated with various colors, ornaments, horns and what not. To top it all off, jeeps offer cheap fares over long distances (not like the trains in Tokyo haha). 

(Shot using a Nikon EM with expired Kodak Colorplus 200)

[pag-balik]

Biking.

Biking is perhaps one of the most famous things you can do in Baguio. You can rent bikes (or trikes) and pedal around a strip of asphalt near Burnham Lake. It’s great for family time and what not. Just make sure you don’t break a bike (I did once).

(Shot with a Nikon EM with expired Kodak Colorplus 200)

[pag-balik]

Pine.

Due to its high elevation, Baguio is a very good place for pine trees to grow and live in. I mean, it’s called the City of Pines for a reason.. Anyway, I’ve always loved having these trees around me growing up and I hope that they stay for many more years.

(Shot using a Nikon EM with expired Kodak Colorplus 200)

[pag-balik]

Pagbalik (To return).

I found this Filipino word very appropriate when I was thinking of a name for this project for two reasons:

1. I was returning to my hometown and my motherland, and

2. I was returning to my roots in photography.

I had spent a good chunk of my life here in Baguio and even though people would count me a local, I wouldn’t consider myself as one. I mean, I barely know the ins and outs of this town so I’m really happy that I have the chance to go around the place I called home. 

I’m also really excited for this project because I have decided to shoot only with film for this.  I was “forced” to learn how to use a film camera for a school paper competition as a substitute photojournalist and by God’s grace, made it all the way to the nationals. (I had no idea what I was doing then. One of the marshalls even taught me how to load the film into the camera during the contest proper so really, it wasn’t me.) Thankfully, my uncle brought me to a store that sold me all their expired rolls for a decent price.

I hope you will get to enjoy this journey with me. 

(Photo shot using a Nikon EM loaded with expired Kodak Colorplus 200)