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LINEAL – Borderless
Photograph by Sam Crawford BORDERLESS — how each one of us is interconnected despite geographical bounds, different perspectives or unalike existence.
Enjoy our third issue.
Onin Lorente
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefVisit https://lineal.asia
lola
It was one of those late evenings when you had long conversations with your fellow elders from the neighbourhood. Seated next to you, I lay my head on your lap. The gentle caress of your hands on my head was always a solace. It was my lullaby.
At times, those hands were unforgiving; when I disobeyed your rules on no mid-afternoon swim in the nearby river or late-evening games on the main road with my childhood friends. I was an explorer; you set the borderline.
Every end of the school year, from grade one to grade five, you championed my achievements. You accompanied me on the stage to receive the first honours award. But when I finished grade six, you chose to recognise my mom and gave her pride. I delivered my valedictory speech while you were in the audience, she was on my side.
High school came, I commuted thirty kilometres every day, from home to school. You waited early in the morning until I left, and in the afternoon, or sometimes evening, until I returned.
And when I bid farewell to study in Manila for my university education and to live with my mom, you waited. You waited until I left.
Time passed, and every time I came home, you welcomed me with your beautiful smiles. They were abundant and pure. Sometimes there were tears of joy from both of us, as I took your hand, gently put it on my forehead and paid you respect.
And yesterday, just like the old times, you waited. You waited until I returned.
As I held your hands for the last time, I thanked you for taking care of me, for teaching me the purpose of discipline, for encouraging me to do my best, and for fostering the child, the teenager that I was, who has become the person that I am.
I left. You waited. Few hours after, you left.
Mang Edad, my grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 86. She was loved by us, by many.
A tribute to my lola, and to all lola out there.
2021
It has been 10 years since I decided to venture into fashion and photography, became a traveller and pursued a dream — to shoot for the greatest magazines and produce beautiful works — with the plan of sustaining a comfortable life and being able to live and work permanently as an artist in Europe, all while toiling in three different continents.
I left Singapore ( where I worked as a software developer ) in 2011, moved between New York, London ( where I resided most of the time ), Milan, Paris during the fashion weeks, and elsewhere for the remainder of each year. But since 2020, I have been back home here in the Philippines. Looking back over the past decade, I learned many things. Here are my personal reminders.
1. It is okay to dream, BIG or small.
In my case, it was the former. There were MANY rejections and hurdles.
2. Learn to move on after each rejection.
Borrowing a line from American singer Aaliyah, “If at first you don’t succeed, Then dust yourself off and try again”.
Improve and restart better.
If it doesn’t work, it is okay too.
Pat your back for trying.
3. Sometimes, a break, a breath of fresh air will give us a clearer direction of our dreams.
Pause for few seconds.
Proceed.
4. Know when it is time to end it. Stopping even when you haven’t achieved it, isn’t equivalent to failure.
Hold on ( if you can ). Continue the journey.
Continue reading.
5. There are times when our frail human nature gives in.
There were dark days in my early endeavours when I felt completely alone, and my path was downright uncertain. Personal and societal pressure was too difficult to cope with. I succumbed to despair, resorted to sexual dependency in the hope of finding temporary comfort and strength. In the long run, it didn’t work.
Worse, there were thoughts of suicide.
I was lost.
Until I braved myself to find the courage to stand again.
6. I learned to live light-hearted and to enjoy the process and the journey.
Don’t forget to dance, sing, drink and be merry. Because there are great reasons ahead.
7. The world out there is beautiful.
8. Friends, and memories with them, are great treasures.
9. Humanity is wonderful.
10. Finally, smile and understand that every one of us is a work in progress.
Enjoy life.
Start a new dream.
LINEAL – Escape
Art by Anh Duong We feature eight stories in our sophomore issue. Fronting it is a self-portrait by artist, muse and model, Anh Duong. Her gaze is distant and delicate.
In a time when we are bound physically and even emotionally, when uncertainty and chaos prevail, creativity offers an escape.
Onin Lorente
Founder and Editor-in-ChiefVisit https://lineal.asia
The story of the three dogs.
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.
LINEAL – Heritage
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.
Photograph by Narya Abhimata 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-Chief11.07.2020
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.
Sining Banwa
A theater group from Legazpi, Albay.
The Locals
Portraits from Albay, Philippines and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Pathways. Venice. 2012.
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.
