The Picture

 by Claudine Ariola

             The bell in the church rang and it was a signal that the mass was going to start. Outside the church you can see crowded people who were going to attend the mass and you can see some vendors selling rosaries, healing oils, bracelets, candles, street foods and etc.  There were also children who are selling sampaguita and asking if you want to buy it for their food.  It was March 19, 2012 sunset when I decided to attend the mass in Cathedral and I brought my camera and hang it in my neck. . My name is Jack. I’m 24 years old and not tall like some other guys. At my young age I want to be a famous photographer someday and still searching for my beautiful subject in my photography, something that can catch the eyes and heart of the people. That’s why I went to the church hoping, that I can take a beautiful shot. 

 The moment that I arrived in the church, I was amazed because there were a lot of people. I took my camera and captured the moment; the families who were happy together, the beautiful church of Cathedral, vendors selling their products, and the beautiful sunset. While I’m busy capturing the scenery there was a young boy who approached me and forcing me to buy his sampaguita.  I was annoyed by him so I pushed him away. The lad walked away and I just noticed that he had a hydrocephalus. I felt guilty for what I did so I run towards him and I apologize for what I did. He just smiled at me and said playfully ‘You should buy sampaguita before I forgive you’ I smiled and I said ‘Sure I buy your sampaguita so you can forgive me now’. Then he left and offered his sampaguita to other costumers but they just ignore him. I felt sad seeing his condition at his young age he suffer so much in this world. I entered inside the church thinking about him. I cleared my thoughts and listen in the homily of the priest, and just prayed sincerely. 

After the mass ended and when I went outside the church it’s already dark. I looked around and I saw the lad sitting on the bench while holding an old book. I took my camera then took a picture of him sitting in a bench under the street light. It was a perfect shot. I approached him and sat beside him. 

‘What’s that? Is that a book?’ he looked me in the eyes with sadness and replied

‘Yes Kuya, but I don’t know how to read so I just look in the pictures in this book’.

I feel his sadness and see his eagerness to learn how to read.

‘What’s your name little boy?

‘My name is Harry’

‘I’m Kuya Jack where’s your parents?

‘My father died when I was five years old and my mother left me here in this bench and she said she will return but she didn’t’

‘Sorry to hear that. Do you have any siblings?’

 ‘No, I don’t have any siblings. What are you doing here Kuya? And what’s that thing hanging in your neck?

           ‘Aside from I attended the mass; I want to take a picture here hoping I can take a beautiful shot’

 ‘Are you a photographer kuya?

‘Yes Harry’ 

‘I know Kuya you will be a famous photographer because you are kind. God will help you’

‘Thank you Harry I hope it will happen’

‘Do you want me to teach you how to read?’

‘Are you serious Kuya Jack? Yes! Yes! Kuya please teach me’

‘Yes Harry, Are you ready?’

He nodded and smiled.

        

        That night I saw his genuine smile and I took a picture every moment he smiled while he was reading the book. I went home with a big smile and that was a remarkable night of my life. I didn’t realize that I can do such thing in a stranger and enjoyed helping gifted child to learn. It was a nice feeling seeing that child happy even though he was alone in his life or he has nothing in his life.  So the next day I went to church again during sunset and after a mass I met him and taught him again how to read. It became a habit in every Sunday and we became close like we were true brothers. I can see his progressed in reading and I’m happy that he can already read some words. I know he wanted to study in school, learn more things and experience what other children experience in school. 

            One day I was so excited going to Cathedral because I found a school for gifted child where he can study for free. I know he will be so happy to hear the good news. I looked everywhere but I didn’t find him. I asked people around if they saw the child then I asked old man if he saw the boy Harry.

             ‘Did you see a boy with hydrocephalus, thin and around seven years old?’

             ‘Are you talking about Harry?’

            ‘Yes sir, do you know him?

            ‘Yes, people who always here know him. He is an orphan child who always here in Cathedral setting on the bench. He is a nice kid who always hold book and stared on it. He is waiting for his mother to return on that bench’

           ‘So where he is now?’

          ‘You didn’t know? He was died last year March 19, 2011 because of lack of nutrients and because of his hydrocephalus.’

          

           I left the old man without saying a word. I was shocked and horrified for what I’ve heard. I didn’t expect that I was the one who will be surprise today and not him. I can’t believe it was happened to me, so in March 19 the moment I met him that was his 1^st death anniversary. I took my camera and browse the pictures then I found out that there was no one in the bench that I captured that day. I felt sorry and sad for what happened to him. I know God has a plan why I met him that day. I hope that I made him happy in few days that we were together. I hope he was happy up there and enjoyed being with God. Now he will never feel the sadness, starvation, loneliness and the cruelty of the world.  I can’t forget that boy and I wanted to help him find his mother. I posted the picture of the bench and told the story behind the picture but I discovered that his mother was also already dead. I hope they find each other in heaven and the can live now together. 

The picture that I posted became viral and one of the famous photographers noticed me. Now step by step I can finally reach my dreams. I know Harry was helping me to reach my dreams; he made me realize that I don’t need to find someone or something just to make my shots beautiful. It’s about loving your work and also giving feelings for everything you did and you will your master piece. I thanked that lad because he opened my eyes and because of him I know what to do now. I decided to travel and take pictures that have different stories behind it because of that picture I recognized in world of photography. I thanked the moment that I meet him in that day and in that place. It’s a blessing in disguised that we crossed our path. Even though he had a sad ending I know he was happy now with his family while me I continue my dream and inspired people in every picture I take. My journey as a photographer will now begin.