MAYHEM knocks on your door when you least expect it.
Last May 24, a gang of hold-up men, known as “laglag barya” gang, victimized my fellow Varsitarian staff member. I was with him when the incident happened and with me were the camera lenses that the Varsitarian would lend to its photographers during covers. Fortunately, I dodged the misfortune that struck him as none of my belongings were taken, but I should have known that we were jinxed from the start.
It all started when we rode a non-airconditioned bus from Alabang after classical concert coverage at Ayala-Alabang. Before boarding the bus, we were talking about thieves and burglars roaming around city undetected at late night. I even recalled asking, “Paano ‘pag na-hold-up tayo?” To this, he confidently replied, “Saan ka nakakita nang na-hold up na dalawang tao? ’Di tayo ma-hohold up.” With that said, my mind was put at peace and negative thoughts circulating in my brain stopped bothering me.
In our case, my colleague became an easy target because the hold uppers had already seen his electronics. Before we knew it, he was swarmed by seven armed me.
Nowadays, the DSLR has become an accessory from some. You can see these shutter bugs almost everywhere. The digital camera is often treated like an identification card carelessly hung around the neck. It might crosse one’s mind often, but while “wearing” your camera, has it ever occurred to you that you might be bringing in your last click?
Now, I realize that fate answered our questions. What happened to us should serve as a reminder to be more aware of our surroundings and never to lose vigilance, especially when traveling at night. As a photojournalist, alertness is key not only to capture the correct moment but also to take care of some expensive equipment.
We are walking in the world of terror and danger as we tend set foot on various places we usually do not know.
Vigilance is a must at all times. Look around you like your looking for a better subject to shoot. Know when someone is following you, scouting you and spying at you. Beware of people around you in travel time, you’ll never know what’s coming next.
Burglars, hold uppers, snatchers and the like are widely spread, but are dangerously discreet, especially here in Manila. You see them everywhere, everyday and any time. They are even often broadcast in the news. These people don’t care who you are or what you are, they just do what they plan on doing.
Perhaps, “Do or die” is their motto in life. In the scenario that we were pushed into, I felt like I dodged a bullet that could have hit my heart. We were fortunate enough to have avoided injury and I was even more fortunate that my camera and the Varsitarian’s lenses weren’t taken.
To my fellow photographers and photojournalists, keep in mind that it is not all the time that you are out of harm’s way. I have experienced the sensation of “shooting like there is no tomorrow” on many occasions. During those times, I wouldn’t think of anything else but to get shots that would satisfy my passion and would capture that moment. But things change when fate gives you a wake-up call. What if someone places a gun against your back? Life can be lost so easily and life, once lost, cannot be regained.
I am pretty sure that a lot of photojournalists experience this kind of feeling at some point in their life. Shooting in places like Tondo, Divisoria, Recto, Quiapo and other urban sites is a risk and must be undertaken with precaution. If you are going to shoot in places like these, bear in mind that your photos aren’t the only ones that have to be sharp, you do too. Don’t forget that the most precious gift that God has given us is life so don’t lose it in a single shot. Never compromise safety. As the professional journalist’s mantra goes, “No story is worth your life.”
