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Old Spanish-era houses surrounded me. My steps echoed along the cobbled street, I was too early, but still, I was just on time. I savored the crisp morning air, the light just beginning to creep beyond the ornate eaves of the east-side house. I held up my camera, composed the scene through the viewfinder, focused the lens and lightly pressed the shutter. I thought to myself, I have the photos but I can also write about this.
I worked on a cube farm and was treated like a machine. Everything was so robotic; we weren’t even allowed to personalize our workstations with photographs and mementos that remind us that we are, after all, still humans.
And then I heard about it. A guy from another team stamped his foot down and signed a resignation paper. Well, this is really not extraordinary; resignations are a normalcy in our industry. But what differentiates this one from the rest was that he wasn’t just about to transfer to another robot job with a higher pay, he was going to travel the country, photograph the places he visits, write about the color of its festivals and get paid to do it too. All this without a boss hanging around his every move.
And so I got intrigued. If he can do it, surely I can too? And after years of maybe I should, maybe I won’t, I finally followed suit. I started gathering my thoughts into words and my pictures into essays. I started Lakad Pilipinas.
It somehow miraculously grew. From ten viewers, eight of which are my office friends and the ninth my mom, it eventually reached figures I never knew it can attain. I was still working at the cube, but I always manage to sneak in some minutes to write and post at my new project. The goal ultimately is financial gain, I wanted it to earn and maybe somehow someday, I can also turn in that resignation paper.
My pet project was almost two years old, gaining momentum on readerships and a bit of respect from peers. It was, however, not earning me anything. It was surely disappointing on that aspect but on the other hand, after more than seven hundred days of photographs and writings, things had changed. Sure I was still hoping the blog would earn, but the priority shifted. 
I was resigned that Lakad Pilipinas wouldn’t be the cash-cow that I thought it would be and the focus eventually shifted to the blog itself. Somehow, it morphed into a life of its own. I was unable to just let it be; it had be the best it can be, content and design-wise, money or not. I have grown to love it as a struggling artist would love his paintings. From a money-making-scheme, it turned personal somehow.
And I never realized how personal until a fellow travel blogger suggested I shift to a different blog platform as advertisers are more likely to publish there than at my current one. I said, okay yeah why not.
But then it got my thinking. What would happen to my site should, knock on wood, something untoward happens to me a few days or even a few years later? Due to the nature of the other platform, Lakad Pilipinas would immediately get flushed down the internet drain after a year or so without someone renewing its hosting.
Do I really want that? I’m gone anyways so who cares, right? No one’s gonna be earning off the site anymore anyways. But I feel that my travel blog can be so much more. It’s definitely not the best of its kind out there, but it is special to me.
And so I took back my yes and replaced it with a no. I won’t be changing platform for better online earnings. I’d rather stick it out here at my current one, which has free hosting and is relatively stable, where I knew my photos and writings would still be viewable years after my time; earnings be damned. 
Have you ever seen an old photograph of Manila? The crumbly and frayed black and white ones? They’re wonderful aren’t they? Makes you nostalgic for that lost era. Makes you imagine what life was like back then, how beautiful and grand the city must be, how simple life was then or maybe it was also already complicated back in those days. You mind wanders and gets lost imagining the city that was, but there never were enough photos.
I want Lakad Pilipinas to work that magic for future generations, even if only for a small few like my future kids and grandkids. I wanted them to view it and see wonder in their eyes. Let them have a peek as to how the Philippines looked like in the days before the culture of boxed malls and skyscrapers totally take over; the lush green fields, the pristine beaches, the small idyll towns, the windy plazas, the old stone structures. I wanted their minds to wander through the words and photos I took decades back.
It is a lofty ambition, I know; and not a few would probably even raise eyebrows over it. But it is what it is. You thought you were doing it for money, but before you know it, it becomes larger than you. Now you are doing it because you need to do it, you feel compelled to finish its never ending cycle; for yourself, your kids, their kids, the generations after everyone else’s and the inevitable passing memory and history of our beloved country. 
And so the morning finally burst. Hoofs clattered on the cobbled street, centuries-old doors opened, tourist wearing I-love-name-of-place shirts started posing in the middle of the street and the sun steadily slanted through the red tiles of eastern roofs. And not unlike the streaming light of the sun, after four long years, my story at last broke through too.
Christan S. | Lakad Pilipinas
October 13, 2012 | 10:31 PM
respect. ^_^
ReplyDeleteI really like your travel writing and is also a fan of your photography sir. :)
ReplyDeleteAyun! You finally decided! =D Ahahahahaha.. Naalala ko yung lines na sinabi mo why you got into blogging.. That said, and this written are of two different toned lines.. The one said was waaaaay too entertaining, but this written is equally honest rin.. Good for you Christian! To more travels, penning them down, and happy shutterbugging --- just because. =)
ReplyDeleteYou hit me there, now I say, thanks for your photos. You deserve the respect in this competitive community where standing out is hard to realize, but you have just established your mark kuya. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteNow your giving me an option and it makes me crazy to decide..Haha. Okay for now lemme handle two things at a time. Work and newest travel blog. For you Sir Christian 'tis is a fruit of labor. EXcellente. I am a big fan of yours.
ReplyDeleteBack in flickr days, I am already a fan of your work. When I read this blog, I thought there is so much more to this guy! And yun na--you are now one of the celebrity travel bloggers! Way to go audioScience!
ReplyDeleteI cant give up the cube farm like you did. I sure to find my momentum. B-)
ReplyDeleteSince I started blogging, I'm truly a fan of your work. But wisdom from this made me respect you more. :)
ReplyDeletewiping tears on my eyes... hehehe... panalo talaga ang mga words mo bro!
ReplyDeleteEpistaxis words! Oh my so many words that popped into my head but I can't let it out. This one thing for sure your blog will surely be succesful because of your skills. <3
ReplyDeletei still think you should someday put all your blogs together into a book, and self-publish it on one of the self-publishing sites, such as lulu. you will also have a hard copy of your work that you can show around, whether for marketing purposes, at interviews, or on your own coffee table for your guests at home.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have seen photographs of old Manila and in a sense, it was also what made me love photography. The feeling of stepping back in time to a cleaner and safer city than the one I grew up in, will always hold me in awe. =)
ReplyDeleteI guess people go into blogging for a lot of reasons. But, in my opinion, the best blogs are those that are created out of passion and not for monetary gain. I highly doubt my Nuffnang earning will reach the minimum amount for me to cash in on it, but, what the heck! Blogging serves a higher purpose for me -- it saves my sanity. Plus my work, even though stressful, is one that I am quite happy in and love doing.
You're doing great! =)
if only those pageviews worth (monetary) something... but then it really is worth (value) something... saludo sir christian! :)
ReplyDeleteWe are not worthy (2x). You are definitely turning into the alpha omega of travel blogging, ser. Kung si Flip ang God, ikaw siguro si Buddha haha! Seriously, yours is a blog truly worth reading and staring at. Wag na wag ka sanang tatamarin katulad ng marami sa amin :D
ReplyDeleteWords with heart are hard to come by and these are some of the most beautiful cyberwords I've read. I'm ashamed to say I'm a newbie follower to your blog but I'd likely be a 'tambay' from hereon. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts on travelling and blogging. Some may not understand how hard it can be but you've put it all in one post, and more. Here's to more travels and sharing about them! :)
Its an honor na nakilala kita nung ako nag handle ng training ninyo before. at naging bahagi ako ng kwentong ito :)
ReplyDeleteEarlier I'd been forced to think why I blog to answer a fellow blogger's question. Nagmukhang amateur naman yung sagot ako after I read this hahaha.. Kidding aside, this post is lovely and I like your honesty. I think at some point in time, we bloggers like to believe that we can earn from doing this. Some of us do eventually and lucky them. For us though that who don't, well at least we still get to pursue our passions and to me, it's already enough a reason to continue blogging.
ReplyDeletewhy i blog??? well, after several trips abroad... i can definitely say that I'm proud of our country and I'm proud of the "potential" that our country can be... this is my way of promoting our Philippines, of sharing our pride, of showing our own beauty... happy blogging!
ReplyDeleteFrom photography to writing... who knows, next might be an article to prestigious travel magazines like Mabuhay, Travel Life or Travel Time.
ReplyDeleteValues comes first. Money comes next. Since you value what you felt you become happy. I am sure, money comes next......and that's what we called earnings not only in terms of "financial aspect", but you earn respect in the blogging world, bro. I salute your skills bro. And I am always following your blog bro. learn from your style.....
ReplyDeleteAll I can say as older than you, just keep on "walking", and I will leave message to you bro that I just composed when I read this blog,
"Just look and walk around, see the beauty and vastness of our very own Pilipinas, utilize our skills without destroying its spontaneity and above all, enjoy life while we still can" - Con Tour Blog
Good Luck bro. Rest assured of our prayers for your success.
love the passion here!
ReplyDelete*tap on the back* christian!
teary eyes to sir ah!
ReplyDeletenag-try din ako out of curiosity mg-blog (I don't call it blog nga but a photo-album online para sa mga anak ko, para malaman nila personality ko if ever bigla tayo mawala, hehe)
I don't know you personally pero isang magandang pangyayari ang madiskubre ko ang blog mo, lagi ka pa nag-eencourage sakin to continue composing. YOU ARE A GREAT PERSON sir Christian
Thumbs up sir! an article of truth and passion :)
ReplyDeleteHat's off to you Bro... Clap Clap Clap!
ReplyDeleteGrasya
ReplyDeleteThanks Grasya! Oy birthday mo pala ngayon! :)
Hapipaks
Thank you, I'm glad you do :)
Lisa Marie
Haha it's more fun with alcohol shempre :D
Edmaration
Salamat bro :)
Arnie Monacillo
Thanks! And you don't have to quit work :)
Ding Fuellos
Celebrity blogger? Haha di naman!
Francis Balgos
You don't need to give up your job Francis :)
Elal Jane Lasola
Naks wisdom talaga? :)
Romz
Haha adik ka Romz!
LalalaPatricia
Epistaxis? Okay wait, googling :)
Fifileigh
I guess a book would be best right? :)
Tin
Ouch haha I made mine for money! :D
Blissfulguro
Haha oo nga ma'am! :)
Drew
I'm glad na di ka na tinatamad ulit ngayon Drew. Buddha dahil malaki tsan? :D
Mel
Do tambay more please :)
Eric
The queen of Festivals! :D
Marjorie Gavan
I agree Marj, swerte lang talaga yung iba at they earn a lot from blogging :)
Mountains-and-beyond
I agree, our country is really beautiful :)
Ian
I hope so Ian :)
Bonzenti
Thanks Kuya Bonz!
Journeyingjames
Apir!
Tatatyjoni
Sir Joni, salamat po :)
Fra Jamir
Thanks bro! :)
Glenn B Mendoza
Salamat pre! Sana matuloy na rin ang matagal na nating binabalak na lakad haha
Love this. There's magic in doing what you love. =) Keep writing and taking photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you Claire! It was nice meeting and traveling with you!
DeleteAng galeng. You are an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ishmael :)
Deletenung flickr days pa lang kaw na talaga ung photographer na hinahangaan ko. isa kang inspirasyon. hehe very humble pa :)
ReplyDeleteDi naman masyado, mayabang din minsan haha.. Salamat Jay :)
Deletenice! thanks for the inspiration. Now I'm decided to put my travel stories into blogging.. cheers for more adventures!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alvin, glad my blog inspired you to write about your travels too :)
DeleteHi Christian. It isn't earning from blogging that matters. We gain wealth and respect from sharing our experiences. Congratulations for moving out of the cube farm. :-)
ReplyDelete