Tala

Lately, I joined a workshop upcycling old fishing nets. As I learned the traditional knots, I wondered how many stories these hands have woven. Each strand imbued with the ocean's memory. I love those moments when new life is breathed into something that was once used. Buhi pa ang kabilin. 🐚 🐚

The quiet night, the sea breeze blowing through the window, gently sways the curtains. The daytime heat and the distant sound of waves intermingle, creating a truly pleasant melody. I recall the vibrant clusters of anemones I encountered during today's freedive, deep in the ocean. How can I possibly capture that breathtaking beauty in a photograph? The sea always narrates new stories to me. Tonight, as I listen to its voice, I dream of tomorrow's tides. 🌊

As the sun dips into the sea, I love to sit on the rocks by the shore, listening to the waves caress the sand. I feel the small sounds and scents I've gathered throughout the day in the city's hustle slowly melt away under this vast sky. In the distance, fishing boat lights begin to twinkle, and the sky is painted in a gradient of purple, orange, and the deep indigo of the sea. It's as if someone is carefully layering colors, one by one. During the day, I'm always enveloped by the market's vibrancy and the laughter shared with friends. This afternoon, too, we were abuzz with talk about the rare spice @sol-r found. The things that person discovers always pique my curiosity. But this time, as the sun sets, is special to me. Everything is enveloped in stillness, allowing me to listen to my inner voice. The sound of the waves seems to whisper ancient stories. Lately, each time I freedive into the deep blue, I'm reminded anew of the world's vastness and the smallness of our existence. Yet, within that smallness, how much power and beauty reside? A single seashell, a grain of sand—the sea teaches me that all of them are part of a grand cycle. I want to capture this feeling in photographs, in words, and in my heart. Everything is connected. That, too, is the teaching of the spirits of this land, which I believe in. By the time I head home, the sky will surely be ablaze with stars. I'll brew some warm salabat and jot down what happened and what I felt today in my notebook. Hoping this moment becomes a tiny seed for tomorrow.