Santol fruits and the village kids

If you grew up in the countryside or even in the town center of a rural town chances are that you can easily relate to the photo spread. Simple joys can be had easily with the help of santol fruits from a neighbor's backyard (with or without the owner's consent). An afternoon 'party' only kids could easily whip up any moment as seen in this 'santol session' (photos) can happen spontaneously. It does not matter if the fruits are of the sweet or sour variety. A pinch of salt is always ready.

Photos: Alma Gamil
            Barangay Santa Barbara, Bulusan, Sorsogon
            Philippines

Faint rainbow in the horizon

There  is one person I instantly remember whenever I see a faint rainbow. A person who came into my life so sudden it took me by surprise. Gregarious and bubbly with a mix of naughtiness and playfulness, he taught me to experience and feel again a glimpse of my lost youth. Though I know it will just be ephemeral bordering on the surreal,  it was a beautiful vignette.  

Thank you my sweet stranger. Au revoir.

Luha soltero : Flowers for the broken hearted

Luha soltero (translates literally as single man's tears) is the local name of these flowers so said the two elderly women from Odikin (Barangay Santa Barbara, Bulusan) as they name one by one the masitas (ornamental plants) in a village garden. Why so? I asked. "The flowers are for  lovelorn men -- men with broken hearts," related the the two. But when I asked where are the flowers for women with broken hearts. The two seniors looked at me with a smile as if telling me that there is no such flower. We smiled at the thought.

Photos: Alma P. Gamil
            Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines