ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr

Instant Cameras And Their Bag/s

 I left the condominium around 10 AM with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist, and my Apple watch on my right, to attend the Friday Mass at Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel.  I also brought with me my Lomo'Instant Automat Glass and my instax mini 99 in hope to buy a bag that fits said cameras and their accessories.

I was able to finish my morning prayers, started with my Precious Blood Chaplet, and joined the community to pray the Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer and the Rosary.  In between prayers, I decided to take a multiple exposure photo using my Lomo'Instant Automat Glass.  Luv it!

At Greenbelt Chapel  Multiple Exposure using Lomo'Instant Automat Glass

The image of Mama Mary is that of the Miraculous Medal.  Looking straight at it, it is like she is looking down with her hands outstretched.  But taking the image from her foot, it now looks like she is looking up to God the Father (the image is in the ceiling of the chapel), praising Him.  Nice.  The image is pretty sharp.  I could say that among my instant cameras, my favorite is the Lomo'Instant Automat Glass.

The Mass presider is Fr. Ryan.

We thought we had solved the problem of isolation, the problem of silence because of the tools to communicate.  Though we are the most connected generation in history, we are become the most disconnected.  Too many like, few true friends; endless messaging apps, but hardly establish a real connection.

If human connection is like digital connection, the world would be a joyful place.  But there is more loneliness, stressed, anxious. We have confused information with intimacy.  We know what our neighbors ate for lunch but we don't know the real stories.

We are physically capable of speaking and hearing; but, spiritually and emotionally we have become deaf and mute. We have lost the frequency of the human heart.

When Jesus said, "Be open", He is not just healing the person but He is also restoring the person to his community, restoring a real connection, restoring a real relationship. 

To be open today means breaking free from the screens that act as walls, realizing the likes, the hearts, the shares are not a substitute for the hugs, and a text is not a substitute for a real visit.

We can be open in three ways:

1. Be open to the Word. Hear God’s quiet whisper in prayer. 

2. Be open to our families. 

3. Be open to a stranger. Do we see the lonely person in our neighborhood, in our communities?  Or are we too busy scrolling to notice the suffering right in front of us?

To heal the loneliness of our generation, we must return to the basics of love.

Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you and listen in such a way others love to speak to you.

Listening is an act of justice when truly listening to someone without checking your phones, emails or notifications, without judging, without interruption, you are telling them "you are not alone, you are seen, you are loved."  And that is the beginning of the miracle.

Ask the Lord for the grace of presence.   Let us ask Him to touch our ears to hear the unspoken cries of the lonely.  Let us ask Him to touch our tongues so that our words bring comfort and hope rather than gossip or noise.  Let us put down the devices that keep us connected so that we can pick up the relationships that keep us whole.

Ephphatha.  May our hearts be open, ears unscoffed, our lives truly connected in Christ.

For lunch, I ate again at MAiSEN.  This time I ordered their Prawn Katsu set.

On my way back to Glorietta, took photos using the instax mini 99.  Because I did not properly put the film cartridge in the camera, I spoiled three films. 😔  Good thing, I finally fixed it and took a landscape picture with leaked light filter.

Greenbelt Park Using instax mini 99, Light Leak

When I was fixing my camera, I noticed a young couple who I think is on a date, asked the gardener of the park to take their photos from their cellphone.  This same couple also asked me to take their photo when they saw me taking a photo with my instax.  I do hope they liked the photo I took of them. I saw them going to a different direction from where I am headed.

While nearing the walkway, I noticed them behind me.  I asked them if they would like for me to take a photo using my instax.  It is the girl's birthday.  And it also happens to be Valentine's day tomorrow.  I gave them the print.  Left them without waiting to see how the image will come out.  LOL.

Passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark.

My intention is to buy a small bag to place my instant camera.  I was thinking of the Halo brand.  Went to SM Makati and One Ayala to look for it.  It is not in both stores.  Bought a Herschel cross body bag (on sale).

I plan to go to SM Mall of Asia to look for the Halo bag.  But first, passed by Zamora for I need to sign some documents.

Even at SM Mall of Asia, Halo is no longer available.  But I was able to buy a pouch for instax cameras.  The store is really for instax products.  The bag that really fits my idea is the hellolulu bag (on sale) which I was able to buy at The Travel Club.

Home.

Labels: Chromebook, food, mall, Mass, rosary, shopping

posted by ~GFA~ @ 2/13/2026 09:34:00 PM