Journey to Medina

(note: 7th photography blog post)

We went on a three-day journey to Medina, Misamis Oriental. It was part of our requirements in our subject in photography. We went on that journey riding a bus for four hours, knowing what lies ahead. When we arrived in Medina, we saw the place as very quaint. The place is described by its natural scenery. The town has many beaches, which is part of their town's economy. The people are described in this town are very friendly that helps visitors to become very accommodated. Aside from the town being a tourist magnet, it is also the ancestral home of the Pelaez clan, whose ancestral house can be located near the coast. In general, the town is a very booming community with a thriving industry and rich history. But despite all of these treasures, how do the people live their lives in Medina?

When we first had our activity in the South Poblacion, we saw another side of Medina. Despite its natural beauty in its beaches and its thriving industries, there are some people who are very poor in some parts of the town. We saw many houses and the walkways are very thin. The houses were very cramped up to each other. The place was also filled with mosquitoes everywhere. When we interviewed some of the families, they say that there were some bad happenings in the south. They say that there were many cases of dengue there and many were hospitalized. They even say that there were even floods in Medina as high as one-third of the height of the door. However, some people were not bothered by their state. In fact, in times of calamities, the residents claimed that the town government was able to get things done.

At the end of the trip, I learned that with all the wealth a town offers, it should also be shared with everybody of all walks of life. The people of a town should help each other in order to attain the purpose of a peaceful community. By the end of the immersion, I learned that with the help of photography, especially photojournalism, other people may see the emotion that the people taken bring. It gives a sense of empathy that there are those that are in need of help getting on to life. With this experience, it helps me re-emphasize my purpose as a photojournalist and a development communicator. We live in a world where nobody cares about each other. It is likely a reason why some communities in the world are falling apart. However, when we learn to work as one, we may be able to realize that we need each other. For a developing community to be attained, people need to pull themselves together to know what it truly means to be prosperous and peaceful with one another. That's why Medina is considered a fine example of a booming town where people learn to help each other in order for people to have peace with each other. A colorful world is attained if people can see it the way the subject see it.