Last June 17, 2012, me and my fellow photographer Ken Bandayaon was commissioned to shoot the Pangapog Festival and their 44th Araw ng Sta. Maria at the Municipality of Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur Province. But this is not about the festival.
We departed from Davao City Transport Terminal around 3am and arrived at Sta. Maria around 5:30am, we looked for a place so we could have our breakfast and we found one, not far from the city hall. While waiting for the food to be cooked, this drunk armless boy and two men companion arrived at the store and bought a tanduay and have a change for the videoke machine and continue their liquor consumption. I was amazed that the boy grab the rhum with his feet and opened it with his mouth then put coins in the Videoke machine and started singing holding the microphone with his foot. At first I was hesitant to get my camera but then decided to pull it out from the bag and start capturing from afar with caution. While I was uncomfortable, I approached the owner of the store and asked if he know the boy and his friends and if it's ok to take pictures, and the store owner said that it is ok. I did not personally approached the person thinking they might not understand and they're very drunk. Then I confidently continued shooting 3-4 frames and stopped.
I am again amazed how this boy live everyday, how he washes his anus after taking a dump, or does someone do it for him? Well, I did saw him take a piss with a buddy who took down his trousers but did not see if his buddy shook his penis after. Does this buddy of him go with him all the time? So many questions to ask. I did saw how he ate with a spoon on his foot but unfortunately I do not have a photo because it was later that I decided to stop taking pictures and we got busy having our breakfast.
I salute this boy who lack both arms but still live and manages to have a normal life, be friends with normal person without asking for help if he's still capable of doing. And he is a heavy drinker as I have heard.
We departed from Davao City Transport Terminal around 3am and arrived at Sta. Maria around 5:30am, we looked for a place so we could have our breakfast and we found one, not far from the city hall. While waiting for the food to be cooked, this drunk armless boy and two men companion arrived at the store and bought a tanduay and have a change for the videoke machine and continue their liquor consumption. I was amazed that the boy grab the rhum with his feet and opened it with his mouth then put coins in the Videoke machine and started singing holding the microphone with his foot. At first I was hesitant to get my camera but then decided to pull it out from the bag and start capturing from afar with caution. While I was uncomfortable, I approached the owner of the store and asked if he know the boy and his friends and if it's ok to take pictures, and the store owner said that it is ok. I did not personally approached the person thinking they might not understand and they're very drunk. Then I confidently continued shooting 3-4 frames and stopped.
I am again amazed how this boy live everyday, how he washes his anus after taking a dump, or does someone do it for him? Well, I did saw him take a piss with a buddy who took down his trousers but did not see if his buddy shook his penis after. Does this buddy of him go with him all the time? So many questions to ask. I did saw how he ate with a spoon on his foot but unfortunately I do not have a photo because it was later that I decided to stop taking pictures and we got busy having our breakfast.
I salute this boy who lack both arms but still live and manages to have a normal life, be friends with normal person without asking for help if he's still capable of doing. And he is a heavy drinker as I have heard.
na-amaze ko sa iyaha..shot, sigarilyo, dula kompyuter...
ReplyDeletepag me gusto madami tlagang paraan...one of the best example.. :)
Videoke machine yan te sar. Look at his foot sa last photo holding the mic. :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed he knows how to have a good time even without hands...I just pray though that his creativity be shifted to other more productive and healthy activities...you did a great job capturing him...the photos speak a thousand words...:)
ReplyDeleteWhile I admire his vivacity to live life as normal as he can, I would rather see him channel his energy to something very productive for himself aside from vices.
ReplyDeleteI am with Ria, she said what I was thinking upon looking at the photos. I wish that he could do something productive than smoke and drink..
ReplyDeleteThat's is really amazing only if he does more meaningful activites other than wasting his time and health on booze and smoke.
ReplyDeleteHe could have been one fine example to others who have disabilities like him had he used his capability in good things, not in smoking and drinking. Tsk tsk. I wonder where his parents are.
ReplyDeleteoh my, I feel sorry for him...but with all those vices, no comment nalang.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for him but it is much better for him to use his talent to something worthwhile. Hindi rin maganda ang testimony nya if normal people see him with a bottle of wine, playing Dota or smoking.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Ate Rcel. He could be a good example but not with the alcohol and smoking things.
ReplyDeletei agree, he could be a good example to those people who are not in his situation (no arms) and giving-up but somehow, i wish, he is not into drinking and smoking, he still looks young...he could use his capabilities in good things and set good example to others! :) i wish him well na lang.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, naawa ako talaga nung una tingin ko palang sa una litrato.. Nakakaawa naman talaga yung mga tulad sa kanya na walang mga kamay, pero nakakahanga ang kanilang katatagan at kasipagan sa kabila ng lahat.. Yun nga lang, nung nakita ko ng naninigarilyo at umiinom, bawas points na.. Mas madami sana syang mai-inspire na tao kung titigilan nya masamang bisyo.. Nakakaawa kung walang gumagabay talaga sa kanya.. Sayang naman ang buhay nya! =(
ReplyDeleteI do not about this. He seems to be young be be drinking alcohol.
ReplyDeleteMay he realize that living his life that way may only lead him nowhere but instead an early meeting with the angel of death. I am sadden by his situation and vices.
ReplyDelete