Tahol Aso

Quiapo, Lawton, Buendia, City Hall
Boses ko ay buong lakas ko ipinukol.
Halina't sumakay dito sa jeep na nag-aabang.
nang bulsa ko naman ang siyang makinabang.

Singko Pesos ang abot sa akin kapag matagumpay,
na nakapagpaupo ng pasaherong sasakay.
Tsaka naman lilipat sa susunod na sasakyan,
at yun naman ang susubuking pasahero'y lagyan.

Mula bukang-liwayway hanggang gabihan.
Overtime ang trabaho ng aking lalamunan.
Kahit garalgal na sa kakasigaw,
itong boses kong sa ginhawa'y uhaw.

Ganito ang buhay ng mga "barker" na nabansagan,
na sa mala-asong tahol namumuhunan.
Panalangin sa araw-araw na nagdaan.
Pulis at MMDA hindi kami pagkadiskitahan.

Photo and Words by: jeklog
@ Quiapo, Manila

People's Ch-U-AMP!

Leadership, Hope, Wisdom, Strength
all of these epitomized in the way I stand.
All you people should listen in awe,
as I clench my fist and then open my paw!

But behind the Herculean-Solomonish character,
is the Me that still sits in wonder.
How should the gears in me tick?
Should I inspire or make them sick?

I am put by the populace in a position,
to be an emblem of headship or to immerse in corruption.
Is this really how the politics is built?
A life torn between public service and personal guilt?!

Now I speak strong and weak in ambivalence,
but the show must go on, and be the face of reliance.
I'm seeing erratic portraits as I am in this ramp,
In their eyes, am I A People's Chump? or The People's Champ?

photo and words by: jeklog
@ Sampaguita, festival, bayan ng San Pedro