Tuesday, July 17, 2007

ON BEING FRIENDS



"Treat a friend as if he were what he ought to be and you help him
to become what he is capable of being." - Goethe


* * *

Camera: Nikon D80
Aperture: F7.1
Shutter: 10/5000 sec
Focal Length: 202mm
ISO: 100
Flash: No

.

posted by Señor Enrique at 6:59 AM


26 Comments:

Blogger cacofonix said...

Ha ha, this is soooo cute. You can pretty much tell from their body language that the concept of "personal space intrusion" is probably alien to these two. They could very well be brothers...:). Good catch!

I guess we can also take Goethe's Friendship quote this way....:)

"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." -- Bernard Meltzer

July 17, 2007 8:43 AM  

Blogger Ean said...

omg. what are they doing? O_o hehe... ^_^

July 17, 2007 9:19 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Funny but quite poignant, too, Cacofonix.

The book, "Crack on a Cosmic Egg" by Carlos Castaneda came to mind immediately upon reading the quote you shared.

I had a co-worker (we were both college night students then) after almost a year of being friends, confided of a supernatural experience he had as a grade schooler in Staten Island, New York which was quite sparse with houses far in between still at that time. Coming home from school one afternoon, he made a short cut by cutting through the woods. Suddenly, he was frozen and began to rise from the ground for a good six or seven feet. He remained on mid-air for about a minute before slowly descending. Once touching ground, he regained all physical facilities and ran like a bat out of hell towards their house.

Unfortunately, none of his parents believed him. From that time on until he graduated from high school, he became deeply troublesome and at some point in his teens, became a ward of the state; spending many years in group homes.

When I said I believe him, he suddenly burst into tears. He is now a civil rights lawyer in the States and a fine one at that.

July 17, 2007 9:41 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

These two kids were looking into the going ons inside the barangay hall in the San Sebastian Church area in Quiapo, Ean.

There was some sort of breakfast gathering at that time which was after the election. I think it was a winning candidate who was inside the hall offering his gratitude to supporters.

July 17, 2007 9:43 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Curiosity.

If they were clad in rags, I would say they probably wanted some grub. But from the way they look, they seem to be just curious to see what's going on inside.

Nice pic, nice quote. But wouldn't it also be good to tell a friend what is wrong with him, in order to help him improve?

July 17, 2007 10:28 AM  

Blogger cacofonix said...

What an incredible inspirational story Senor Enrique. Indeed, we can never undermine the power of positive affirmation. That's one (momentary) powerful bolt of HEALING words coming from you, completely turning your friend's life around for the good.

That's why we should never really judge or condemn, but rather always seek to bring out the best in a person, to bring hope, no matter what the circumstances are. That's actually a personal credo...:).

July 17, 2007 10:39 AM  

Blogger christine said...

They're like one. Love this post, Eric. :)

July 17, 2007 10:44 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thanks, Rhoda.

This picture reminds me of myself and playmates when we used to do the same -- peeking through a another neighbor's window -- just to watch an afternoon cartoon TV show. That was before my father finally got us a TV set. He was afraid it would affect our studies, but when he was convinced we'd maintain our regular study time, he finally relented and bought one.

I'm sure as friendships develop (which could take years in some instances) one could become more candid with opinions when solicited.

July 17, 2007 10:45 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, yes! That reminds me too - when finally we got a TV set, my mother welcomed the kids from the neighborhood to watch in our house. At first, it felt good to be generous, but later on, I had to tell my mom: "Tell those kids to take a bath first before letting them in." hehehe.

July 17, 2007 10:51 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Those kids with "amoy araw" can be bothersome, huh? Hehehe!

Interestingly, Rhoda, there were times when after getting our own, I'd still join my other friends to watch at a neighbor's. It was more fun and noisy ... hehehe.

July 17, 2007 11:35 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thanks, Christine.

I guess, a friend eventually becomes a mirror of our own being; thus, becomes one with us.

July 17, 2007 11:43 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thanks, Cacofonix!

I'm sure he was already well on his way towards his healing path at that time; he just wanted another friend to believe him. BTW, he loved Castaneda's writings.

I agree with you that we ought to make it a habit to bring out the best in any person.

My father wasn't much for words, but he never poked fun at me whenever I'd confide what I wanted to be when I grew up, though it changed rather often ... hehehe.

July 17, 2007 11:50 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

There's also this quote by Aristotle that I like very much; "A true friend is one soul in two bodies."

A great photo to complement the quote.

;)

July 17, 2007 12:33 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Friendship at such a young age are often much cherished and last a lifetime...

July 17, 2007 1:48 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

A picture paints a thousand words. Are they watching from the neighbor's tv? What are they peeking?

July 17, 2007 4:39 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love your photos, senor! Buhay na buhay! I will link you up ha. Type kong makita lahat ng updates dito :)

July 17, 2007 5:43 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

this is a really nice photo, eric. there's this innocence in the image. matawagan nga ang best friend ko, hehehe! bigla ko syang namiss.

July 17, 2007 11:37 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

That quote best fits this photograph, too, Kyels!

Thanks!

July 18, 2007 6:58 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

True, Major Tom.

Remember the movie, "Stand By Me?"

July 18, 2007 6:59 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Hi Paris!

The boys are watching a breakfast party being held inside that barangay hall in Quiapo.

July 18, 2007 7:00 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thank you, Sasha!

Did you finish reading those ten books, yet?

July 18, 2007 7:04 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thanks, Nell.

I've a feeling your due for a balikbayan visit pretty soon :)

July 18, 2007 7:05 AM  

Blogger reyd said...

Eric, that photo reminds me of my childhood friend, kahit na pareho kaming may b/w tv sa bahay, we would still peek to our neighbors window to watch since our TV was controlled by our older siblings. :) I have many childhood friends, but he is the only one I considered like a brother.
We grew up together until in our high-school years and when they move to Pasig, that's when I felt like I lost a relative. We try to keep in touch when we have time during our college days and lost contact for a while when I went abroad. He did made it well when he took a job in the Middle East and now just kicking back in Pinas enjoying his grand-kids. And after so many years when we saw each other in Pinas, his first words to me was he said, "hoy, lahat ng anak ko, ikaw ang ninong". hahaha!
Then very time we see each other in Pinas, it is like a family reunion and so many stories to recount during our childhood days.
"Best friend forever"

July 19, 2007 2:26 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

You are blessed, Reyd, for having retained such a close relationship with your childhood best friend until now!

I have no contact with any of my childhood friends -- some had moved abroad, or somewhere else in Metro Manila and provinces. My best friend in high school had passed away many years ago. So, besides the usual relatives, I have to actually start anew with establishing friendships and seeking kindred spirits since coming back.

Cheers to you and your best friend!

July 19, 2007 7:11 AM  

Blogger -= dave =- said...

I'd like to point out how the word "tiwala" from the banner fits with the photo :)

July 20, 2007 1:04 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Sharp observation of yours, Dave!

Oo nga, no. Also, the "salamat po!"

July 20, 2007 8:10 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Life in Manila as observed by a former New Yorker who with a laptop and camera has reinvented himself as a storyteller. Winner of the PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS: Best Photo Blog in 2007 and three Best Single Post awards in 2008.

 
 

About Me

Name: Señor Enrique
Location: Manila, Philippines

View my complete profile

Links


www.flickr.com
This is a Flickr badge showing photos in a set called Flickr Badge. Make your own badge here.
 
 
Señor Enrique Home
Designed by The Dubai Chronicles.
All rights and lefts reserved.