Jaywalking, also known as crossing the street without following traffic rules and regulations, can have severe repercussions. The consequences of jaywalking vary from minor traffic issues to hazardous vehicle incidents that could result in property damage, injuries, or even fatalities. To safeguard pedestrians, authorities have enacted laws against jaywalking. Personally, when I commute in Manila, I constantly prioritize safety by utilizing footbridges or underpasses instead of gambling with the danger of crossing its treacherous roads to reach my destination.
I had an enjoyable experience of jaywalking in a unique manner – by joining Jaywalking: A photo walk. This event was organized by Mr. Alexis Lim, the owner of the blog litratonijuan (dot) tumblr (dot) com, on November 5, 2011. While I was initially unsure due to not knowing anyone attending, my enthusiasm increased when my mother gave me permission to participate. Despite my apprehensions, I summoned my bravery and reassured myself that everything would go smoothly.
I informed my mother about the places we will visit, starting from the meeting point, Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, up to our final destination, Intramuros. Before leaving home, I turned on my laptop and double-checked the name of the meeting place. I managed to recall the name that caught my attention before closing the browser: Plaza Miranda, Quiapo. We departed at 8:30AM, slightly behind schedule for the 10:00AM meeting time. My mother asked me once again for the exact location of the meeting point. And all I could remember was Plaza Miranda. I mistakenly told her Plaza Miranda, Binondo. What was going through my mind?
Am I too old to forget such things? Upon arriving in Lawton, my mom and I hopped on a Jeepney to Binondo. Uncertain about the location, I let my mom guide me to an unfamiliar place. Upon reaching Binondo, I immediately started looking for teenagers with cameras around their necks or peering through the viewfinder. Unfortunately, my search was unsuccessful. My mom continuously complained about not knowing our designated meeting spot. All I could recall was Plaza Miranda. Feeling discouraged, I assumed my companions had already departed and began walking while capturing moments.
The narrator approached a woman dressed in an MMDA uniform or a baranggay official to inquire about the photo walk. However, the woman had no knowledge of the event, causing humiliation. They then decided to ask for directions to Plaza Miranda and were surprised to find out it was located in Quiapo, but they had mistakenly gone to the wrong place. The narrator felt embarrassed and admitted it was their fault for going to the incorrect venue. The narrator’s mother was angry and shouted, while the narrator tried to defend themselves by saying they had forgotten and asking their mother to stop yelling. They took another jeepney ride back to Lawton, feeling frustrated about wasting time, effort, and money.
The event was within reach but slipped away quickly. I walked with my eyes on the ground, trying to create distance from my mom. I held back tears, afraid of crying in public. Once we returned to Lawton, we hopped on another Jeepney. I anticipated going to Quezon City, but my mom surprised me with another opportunity. This time, I was confident about the destination – Plaza Miranda in Quiapo. We entered the underpass that led to the Plaza, and to my surprise, I spotted a man in a white shirt with a familiar face capturing a photo of a girl selling bubbles.
Relieved, I seized the opportunity to be part of the event. I immediately approached the man and inquired if this was the photo walk. He cheerfully affirmed it was. I felt starstruck as he smiled at me, realizing it was our second encounter. The first time I saw him was at an event in Quezon City when I joined a group called Helios International. My mother spoke to him about my initial experience in Quiapo with a group of unfamiliar teenagers. She even asked if he could accompany me to the jeepney station on my way home. I nearly blurted out, “Mom, I’m sixteen and perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
Before allowing me to join the group, she insisted that I have breakfast first. Once I had enjoyed a nutritious meal, I became a member of the group and received a name tag displaying my Tublr URL, which I placed on the lower left side of my shirt. I hesitated about exposing my camera in public areas with large crowds, fearing it might be stolen. Observing others around me with DSLRs (Digital Single Lens Reflex) and P&S (Point & Shoot) cameras capturing the scenery, my confidence grew and I reminded myself that not using my camera would make this photo walk pointless.
Despite my attempts to be sociable and forge new connections at this gathering, I remain apprehensive about displaying my camera to others. The initial individual who greeted me and provided a name badge was Ate Grace (supercheerio.tumblr.com), whom I discovered to be incredibly amiable and conversational. In my opinion, she possesses an enjoyable personality. She was accompanied by Vin (Vinquilop.tumblr.com), an exceptionally talented artist acclaimed for his proficiency in digital artistry and painting.
During our stroll in Quiapo, we encountered a man named Niki from the University of the Philippines, who offered us insights into the historical sites we passed by. Niki, also known as urbanhistorian.tumblr.com, served as our tour guide for the remainder of the walk, sharing information about the landmarks we came across. Taking photos proved to be a challenge as we continued our journey; I only captured scenes that caught my attention, quickly aiming my camera and snapping shots when necessary.
Upon finally entering China Town, I must admit that it was my first experience in a place brimming with jewelry shops. As we wandered around, we stumbled upon the Plaza Ruiz in Binondo, which we had mistakenly visited earlier. Eager to capture the moment, we ventured inside the San Lorenzo Ruiz Church and snapped some photos. As it was midday when we finished photographing the church, Alexis suggested we take a break and grab lunch at the nearby McDonald’s. We gathered in a room and occupied most of the seats, placing our orders. Afterwards, we set up a long line of tables and chairs.
The room had a lively atmosphere, reminiscent of a festive occasion on a scorching day. After waiting for an hour, the food finally arrived. During the wait, Alexis led a brief session for introductions and getting to know each other. Surprisingly, everyone else in the group was already in college while I was still in high school. They were also impressed that I had joined a photo walk at my age. As we silently ate, heavy rain began outside. We all hoped it would stop soon. While waiting for the rain to subside, I tried to become more comfortable with those around me.
During my time at Far Eastern University, I had the opportunity to briefly converse with Ate Lai and Kuya Rodley, both studying BS Nursing. Interestingly, Kuya Rodley mistakenly called me Joana as he had forgotten my name. However, this did not bother me. In addition, I shared joyful moments and laughter with three girls from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. These girls were humble, and their eccentric laughs made it easy to connect with them. While waiting, an unexpected incident occurred nearby where we were having our meal and where our next destination was supposed to be – there was a sudden explosion that came from the electrical wires.
Discovering a live wire, we opted for an alternative route to avoid it. The drizzle made it difficult to capture photos as raindrops kept hitting my lens. Finally, we arrived at Jones Bridge where the area underneath was flooded and children were bathing in the murky water. As we approached, three girls swimming in the flood fearlessly posed for us while we photographed them. They did not hesitate or shy away from the camera like others who usually run when cameras are present. Our ultimate destination is Intramuros.
We proceeded across the bridge and launched our assault on the partially submerged road leading to Intramuros. Unfortunately, my footwear was ill-suited for the occasion and became soaked, allowing water to seep inside. Concerned that these shoes would surely be rendered unusable, I lamented my mistake of choosing them. A more sensible choice would have been sneakers. Nevertheless, we pressed on, traversing the historic edifices such as the University of Sto. Thomas, Colegio De Sta. Rosa, a vacant plot adorned with vibrant graffiti, and the old Ateneo De Manila School. Among these landmarks, I particularly enjoyed our pause at the graffiti-filled vacant lot. Continuing our journey, we also encountered the grand structures of Manila Cathedral Church and San Agustin Church.
Unfortunately, we were unable to enter because a wedding was taking place inside. However, since it was still early, Alexis suggested we prolong our photo walk. He suggested making Rizal Park our final destination. We all agreed enthusiastically as none of us wanted to go home and say our goodbyes just yet. Despite our fatigue, we made sure our feet were in good condition to stop by at Rizal Park. This was my third visit to the famous landmark, and we even had the opportunity to witness the guards performing their end-of-duty rituals.
We had our last group photo taken by Dhel and finally said goodbye to each other. I was accompanied by Mio, a lovely lady from the University of Sto. Thomas who recently graduated in pharmacy. She showed me how to get to United Doctors Medical Center. I expressed my appreciation and bid farewell to her when I got off the bus. As I left, tears filled my eyes, leaving behind my heart in the streets of Manila. Manila is not only historically rich, but also boasts beautiful landmarks. If only people would wander through the streets of Manila and witness its timeless beauty, they would soon forget the garbage piles and pollution that surround the city.
Attending this photo walk was a great experience. It was my first time participating in a photo walk and meet-up. Meeting people who share the same interests and passion as me was enjoyable. It was refreshing to interact with individuals who appreciate photography as an art form, rather than making dismissive comments like “Are you even taking a picture of that?” or “You think you’re a photographer?”. Photography has taught me to view photos from a unique perspective. It is more than just a picture; it conveys a story.
