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.