The Last Three Weeks

I am back in the RP. It has been 24 days since I arrived from Tokyo. The landing and re-entry was smooth. But life in Manila never is really smooth, at best, it is manageable. Life here is so immediate, because I suppose big changes happen close to home.

In the last three weeks, I have heard of six people who I know or who are a degree away from me who have been murdered in Metro Manila. What is going on?

In the last three weeks, I have visited relatives who are very sick in hospital, and one of them passed away tonight.

In the last three weeks, we have combed through other places to live as this happy home we have needs to be turned over for major roof repair and termite control. And found nothing that comes close to this house. But have to move out soon. The adventure continues.

In the last three weeks, we have hired (and fired) graphic designers for not being on the same design wavelength.

In the last three weeks, we have counted seven pregnant friends.

It's been busy. And I haven't even started working on my Japan show.

The most common question I got in Japan from other gallerists was, "How is the global recession affecting your gallery in Manila?". The thing is, since we are always on emergency room mode in Manila, putting out 'fires' and constantly solving unforeseen problems, my answer is "we are doing ok, same as always".

After experiencing incredible control and 'no surprises' in Japan, coming back to Manila which is so damn full of unforeseen events is a daily roller coaster ride. For example, on Thursday at 4 pm, I had a big shoot to do and we were all set in the studio to receive the items, when, at 3:55, a garbage truck decides to back into the driveway, spend 30 minutes collecting garbage, blocking our entrance completely, delaying the shoot, and killing our daylight time. Top it off, we really couldn't complain, or tell them to come back another day, because they had not collected garbage in a couple of weeks, and the basura juice was getting thick.

Life here is either a circus or an emergency room, never a dull moment.





Image: 410, Frankie Callaghan (Dwelling)