THOSE LONELY PICTURES ON THE WALL

Almost every house in every province have walls where lonely pictures are hanging. These are mostly pictures of sons and daugters of the owners. The people on the pics were on thier togas with serious faces as if they were century old and looked holy. They even look scary specially at night when the house is empty.

Back in my home town in Surigao del sur, I used to stare on a wall full of pictures of uncles and cousins. They were all wearing Togas on a black and white pictures framed and staring with intents. I never met most of them that time except stories on how bright they were and all residing is cities far far away. They were almost like legends. One cousin of my age was scared of the pictures. He said the pictures stared at him all the time.

Now my picture is now hanging on our lonely house in Bohol side by side with my siblings. It looks a bit odd to me but my mother insisted for it. Those pictures on the walls are not for me. Its for her, she said. I didn't argue.

Maybe one day I will understand its meaning. A picture can paint a thousand words, they said. But mine paints a million words or more. 

My picture on this wall was heavily edited and made me look like a chinese. Secondly, I don't want to be looked like something ancient. I want to look inna more colorful pictures that captures the mystery in my eyes. Something that will tell who ever looks on it that this man is most genuine, most sincere and most gold looking guy any godd hearted woman can find.. Just kidding.

All Im saying is, the picture on the wall looks like me. But it can never tell all the struggles, the tears, the failures, the pains and frustrations Inwent through. It also did not tell the thrills, the excitement, the adventure, the success, the triumph and happiness I went through as as a young man. And wearing a Toga is not necessarily a true meaning of a success but a tool to succeed further in life.

Yes, the picture can only tell the looks and diploma a person gets. But the man it tried to present is beyond description. In my case, until now, I haven't known my self inside out. There are still mysteries I need to discover so that one day I can find peace and true happiness inside me.

Drama? Yes, it is. This is my "Handuman sa usa a hulagway" program. Please tell me yours.