31 Dec 2019 – SCENES BEFORE HAPPY NEW YEAR – Walking and going through two malls … Two women, appearing middle-aged to me, in conversation about the daughter-in-law while crossing the bridgeway – “Baon na nga sa utang, kung anuano pa pinagbibili …” [Already deep in debt, yet buying more things …] [Read more]

31 Dec 2019 – SCENES BEFORE HAPPY NEW YEAR – Walking and going through two malls …

Two women, appearing middle-aged to me, in conversation about the daughter-in-law while crossing the bridgeway – “Baon na nga sa utang, kung anuano pa pinagbibili …” [Already deep in debt, yet buying more things …] [Read more]

Salespersons, before their wares, momentarily oblivious of people around, thinking of the next year, or food for the New Year gathering …

A senior person, in the food court, in baggy polo and trousers, his senior card before him, counting his coins and bills, good for the next discounted meal?

An old lady, pausing for breath, her bulging grocery bags down on the floor … Where is her family for whom she did all that buying?

A long line of women waiting for their turn in the few toilets which the mall could spare …

A new family, with two young sons walking on their own, enjoying their lamyerda, occupying the whole four lanes of the corridor, blocking my way … I slowed down. Why am I in a hurry …