It was the day that Typhoon Rolly roared through Albay that I learned more about the circumstances of the three dogs.

I had been staying in my abode since May, having decided to cancel my work trip from Manila to New York and London, and instead to return here to the province of Albay. The dogs live in a nipa hut — a shelter made of cement, bamboo and dried coconut leaves — on the rooftop of the same building.

Rolly was the strongest typhoon in the world this year according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. The wind was pounding and the rain was ceaseless. The night was frightening. The aftermath was a severe, depressed mood in our region.

Upon waking and checking those next door, my neighbour and I realised that the dogs may have been badly affected by the typhoon. With haste, we went to the rooftop to check them. We found them safe, but dampened and cold.

We immediately opened the gate so the dogs could come down. While it seemed evident from their forlorn faces that help was needed, there was also fear to step nearer to us. To invite them to move nearer to a safe spot, we served food in a plate, but they were still reluctant to venture closer. We made several attempts to bring them down, but failed. There was regret from us. Our only hope was that they regain their strength from the food we left near at the gate.

There has been so much turmoil in our world this year. Philippines has experienced a grave amount of chaos and tragedy brought about by political clutters and natural calamities. Sometimes, I ask myself — How can I resolve something that is way bigger than the power that I have? No matter how I hold on to hope and courage, exhaustion and sadness overwhelm me at times.

The three dogs survived the typhoon. They are now settled in a better shelter at the same rooftop, where they have been accustomed to the environment since they were young. Never have they left the area, even during typhoons.

The incident reminds me that I can’t always influence the world, even with a great desire to help the lives of others. Accepting their decisions and showing empathy and kindness through small thoughtful acts can improve humankind.

Here’s to 2021, my dear friends.

LINEAL is a digital publication underlining creativity from Southeast Asia –faces, fashion design and photography.

The idea came to mind last October. I started researching and handpicking artists to feature. Afterwards, I invited writers to conduct the interview and write the story. While completing the articles, I was also designing the website. Finally, last December 1 LINEAL went live.

Here is an excerpt from my Editor’s note :

The Oxford Dictionary defines LINEAL as 1. in a direct line of descent or ancestry, and 2. relating to or consisting of lines. It is thus a befitting title to capture the core of this magazine: design and photography talents, and faces from Southeast Asia.

For the launch of LINEAL, we gathered seven stories embodying the theme — Heritage. It includes a dialogue with Haryo Balitar, founder of a modelling agency in Indonesia. Our cover face is Laras Sekar, represented by Haryo Balitar, who has been gaining recognition in the global fashion industry with runway feats for Saint Laurent in Paris, and Moschino in Los Angeles. The shoot was exclusively produced for LINEAL.

Scroll down to read inspiring narratives, in alphabetical order by country of origin, authored by talented writers from the region and beyond. Finally, in the footer you’ll find links to our social media accounts. Do follow us for more creative features.

Enjoy reading!

Onin Lorente
Founder and Editor-In-Chief

http://lineal.asia

A usual 30-minute drive from Legazpi to Guinobatan, Albay took us an hour due to the moderate traffic caused by road mishaps; in one town, a truck caught low hanging wires in the road. These are some of the aftermaths of the storm Rolly along with misaligned electric poles in the highway.

The weather was gloomy when we arrived in San Francisco, Guinobatan. It is one of the most affected areas by Rolly with lost lives and destroyed houses. There was a rush in the vicinity as everyone was being asked by the City Hall Officer to leave in preparation for another low-pressure condition in the region.

We were advised to go to the evacuation centre where the families are housed temporarily, including Salvador Manrique. Salvador is the father of Samuel Manrique, a boy whose body was swept away by the flood and was found 25 kilometres away from their home, unclothed and on the ground. I was deeply saddened by the news that the burial of Samuel was held yesterday. I didn’t make it.

Following a patrolman, we headed to the centre where similarly, there was a commotion. The community was being evacuated into a new facility situated on higher land. I and my companion Hiroki walked along the pathways of the centre and handed out relief packs to whoever we saw. Some were waving and calling us. Some were preparing their belongings, waiting in front of their rooms, and about to hop on a military vehicle…

Then finally, I went to the quarter where Salvador and his remaining children were staying.

“We find meaning in life by giving.” A word that remained in my heart from a recent conversation with a confidant.

Grief. We don’t know when will it last.

Hope.

Photographed on phone here are among those who are keeping shelter at the MORMS Evacuation Center, Guinobatan Albay. Please help them if you can.

Thank you to everyone who bought my photograph from SINING BANWA and those who supported this cause.

A theater group from Legazpi, Albay.

Portraits from Albay, Philippines and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The sudden pause in our world has allowed me to slow down and to revisit the photographs from the past.

Here I am sitting in an old wooden chair writing this note on my laptop stationed on a similarly old wooden table. My abode is small, perfect for one person. Minimal — a cabinet holds my clothes, bed stands to a wall, plants, while a shoe rack greets visitors at the front door. The kitchenette connects to the comfort room by blue painted walls. My landlady must have adored the sky and the sea and its endless horizon.

I should be somewhere now. Perhaps in London or in another place where I have photography work. And yet I have been in this neighborhood for some time. It is the longest period that I have stayed in my home country, Philippines, for the past 8 years. I am not complaining. I am, maybe (long pause), just bored and longing for an adventure.

It is now 11:49 in the evening and here I am, still at the same spot, wondering what can I write? About Venice exploration and those ancient facades, mayhap? Or the hint of light in those pathways that can represent hope in our time?

New e-mail notification. Opened. Read . . .

12:23 a.m. I still cannot figure out what to write. Perhaps tomorrow when I wake up.

9:55 a.m. Good Morning.

Sipping my coffee while I hear the chicken crooning its sunrise song, even at this hour ( as if it too has lost track of time). Adding tones to my ears, is the slow dripping of water rhythmically filling a pail.

It started to rain. There is a storm in the province.

On to a good read – Naomi Campbell for the cover of the November issue of American Vogue. Isn’t she great? An icon. A symbol of diversity and of bravery. I’ve seen her few times during fashion shows, off and on the runway. Her presence, her command — it is incredible. Naomi Campbell is a dream to photograph.

By the time I finish my coffee, I am halfway through reading the article. By the time I finish the story, the pail is full.

What was I going to write again? Oh, Venice and pathways.

We met Mommy Tess, a para-santigwar ( folk healer ) who uses oil, plate, and candle in her traditional healing practice. She narrated her story and showed the ritual to us. What I remember most from the conversation is her conviction while she was explaining pagtubod ( faith ). Without absolute faith in the divine power and in santigwar, healing isn’t certain.

Today is World Mental Health Day.

I must admit, I am prone to prolonged deep thinking, day dreaming…

Isn’t that common to us, fellow artists?

When we created this story, “The Mirror Has Two Faces”, the idea was to explore two personalities in singular persona – one that is romantic, free and light and the other is constricted, dark, sinister – through dance and fashion photography.

Mental health as a subject or a starting point for a fashion editorial or show has been a debate in the creative industry. Remember the cover of Vogue Portugal “Madness Issue” that was pulled out last August? Or the Gucci runway show, September 2019, where one of the models walked, palm showing scripted with “mental health is not fashion” ?

“The Mirror Has Two Faces” was not an intended depiction of the matter. But, when I saw the result, I was concerned that it may have presented or romanticised it, and that it won’t be run by the magazine. How would the readers interpret those series of images?

From then on, I learned to be more cautious of where I take inspirations for my fashion stories. Though, it goes back to what the mind can only see – the otherworldly, the dreamy, the fantasy.

My everyday view since the lockdown, end of March.

Some low moments during this period of uncertainty. Who doesn’t have, anyway? Long-term plans were cancelled bringing forth lost resources and opportunities. Mine included a residency application in Spain and a photographer’s representation in London, which I processed earlier this year. Bummer!

While my creative journey has been a source of joy and reward, its unpredictability bothers me at times. More so, now.

Today, as I woke up, I pinched myself, picked up that energy of positiveness and stood with courage again.

Playing it by ear and see what the future holds.

With about 30 years of age difference, here are two of many things I can impart to you :

1. Go and get it cobber!
2. Don’t forget to dance, laugh, and enjoy the moments with friends in your life. The memories will last forever.