it is not a floating market nor is it a race, locals saved by fellow kababayans in bangkas post-10 days of non-stop rain that led to severe floodings in Manila, Luzon, Philippines that took 11 lives, affected 1 million people. And yet on the other side of the globe, black toxic smoke filled the air in Richmond, California, as an explosion and fire occurred at a Chevron refinery. i became ill at the same time these two events occurred, rooted are the connections, one in a place I grew up in as a child, the other place I and loved ones currently live in, both = mother earth. i continue to pray for healing not just for humans but for our mother earth. but we have to be smarter, plant trees, build where it’s safe, plan ahead. something’s have to change for future generations

black smoke post-fire in Chevron refinery, Richmond, California, USA