Trigger Happy

Trigger Happy First posted 10:12pm (Mla time) June 03, 2005 By Katrina HoligoresInquirer News Service Editor's Note: Published on page D2 of the June 4, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

SAY CHEESE! Filipinos are nuts about taking photos. Anywhere and everywhere they go, we snap away. We are self-appointed paparazzi - with the twist of having ourselves as the celebrity du jour. Our parents of course are one step above, taking photos of us right out of the womb -- literally -- and proceeding to document every single style disaster and/or triumph we go through in our lives. Do you want to forget your prom (or at least your date)? It's guaranteed that there is enough proof on film to never let you forget it! Some photos are to be cherished; some are used for comic relief, others for blackmail. With the advent of camera-equipped cellphones (one model even offers two--go figure), it's almost impossible to escape a photo op.

Recently, I came across a business that creates "scrapbooks" for other people. This struck me as odd. When I was younger, a scrapbook was a very personal piece of work, almost like a visual diary, and I would never think of anyone else doing it for me. At least, with the exception of my mom who religiously turned my baby book into a glorious work of evidence of my existence at par with the files of CSI Las Vegas, Miami and New York. Photo albums lined my room and my family room, labeled carefully with notes on each trip and each occasion. The photo albums are now replaced by computer files or CDs but the contents are the same. Inside lies a treasure trove of what has come to pass.

Visual recording

Today, we celebrate the 2nd birthday of Super! That's a total of around 96 Saturdays of visually recording the past 24 months' goings on. Though still in its infancy, Super! has given many unknown photographers and writers a voice. There were many styles and countless layouts produced, it remains true to one thing--its fixation on youth empowerment. It is foolish to compress any generation into one neat little package, hence a cacophony of expression has ensued through Super!'s numerous print outs. One has a choice of reading a simple, almost fluffy retelling of an event, to an exploration of the esoteric meaning of life (sometimes from the same writer). Like a person going through puberty (or a mid-life crisis), phases and personalities are revealed. What is consistent is that "The Now" is highlighted. And if we don't know how to live in the present, then we don't know how to live.

Look back

Most of us document our reality via diaries (or now blogs), photos (phlogs), videos (www.manyak.com--kidding) and for some, kiss and tell stories from their exes (those b*stards!). When we look back at where and what we've been, we get a good gauge of what direction we should be looking at for our future. Often, we charge through life with blinders on, forgetting where we came from or what made us the most happy. When we stop to look back on what brought us the most joy, we begin to question if we are where we want to be. A photo album, aside from bringing forth laughter or groans of embarrassment, makes us remember the good, the bad and the moments that make us what we are today. Memories trigger something in us and remind us of what we had wanted to do once upon a time when there were no such things as "limitations."
They say when you wish for something, you must wish the way a child does. Think or dream big and be engulfed in the feeling that is brought forth when you affirm that nothing is impossible. It's true, once upon a time, you actually dated that *&%$! and survived. What could be harder? Seriously, compare yourself then, to now, isn't it cool that you are (hopefully) a little more hip and perhaps a lot wiser? Go and look over the visual memories of you or the people in your past that were lovingly archived for reflection. Search for old letters, book reports, essays, agenda entries or anything that was reminiscent of your beliefs and values in the recent or distant past. Change was and is inevitable and now you have proof of it. Knowledge (and acceptance) of one's beginnings attribute to a stronger sense of self. Once we know what is home and where our roots are, the more confidence we have to fly out to the unexplored.

Be grateful

Memories can be a safe haven and a comfort zone for us but they should not hinder our growth. In fact, they should allow us to be freer, with the awareness that we have been through so much and that we will go through much, much more! This weekend, spend some time in your past. Be grateful for the bridges you have built and the ones that you (for your own maturity) had to break off. Looking back will give you more fuel to move forward.
Don't forget your camera and smile.

Katrina Holigores is a contributor to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.