Yesterday, my son spotted an elderly photographer in the park and asked for a photo. Weâll call him Lolo.
Lolo wore a warm smile, black-rimmed eyeglasses, a denim vest, a fishermanâs hat, and two digital SLR cameras around his neck. Lolo charged 50 pesosâless than a dollarâper photo. After we paid, he asked us to wait in the park while he printed our pictures.
My husband hesitated, skeptical if Lolo would return. But I said, âBatangas âto,â reassuring myself of the trust weâve found in Batangas City, our home for over five years now. Itâs not blind trust, but a belief in the good woven into the community, rooted in Godâs guidance. I wanted to support Loloâs workâhe wasnât begging; he was offering a service.
While waiting, my son raced around the park, turned a concrete slope into a slide and played with other kids. I met three moms, exchanged short stories of family and faithâconnections Iâd have missed if weâd rushed home after our hospital visit.
The sun dipped low, and the church bells of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception rang for the Angelus (6:00 PM). Doubt crept in. Was my husband right? I prayed silently, trusting God, that Lolo would return.
One mom reassured me that Loloâs a local; he also took their pictures a while back. My son, sweaty and thirsty, sat beside me. My husband nodded toward the car. I repeated, âBatangas âto,â holding onto faith.
After a few more minutes, Lolo returned, handing us our photos in brown envelopes. My son blurted, âWhere were you, Mr. Photographer?â Lolo chuckled. I saw how he took pride in his work and asked his nameâEmil, he said, hesitantly. âThank you, Sir Emil,â I said, texting him gratitude. His face lit up. Using his name made him feel seen, just as God sees us.
Batangas may not be perfect, but itâs relatively safe*, with trust running deep like roots in good soil. We can talk to strangers in the parkânot fearfully, but wisely, with Godâs discernment.
As we train our kids, letâs take notice of peopleâs kindness, honor the elderly, and see the good in people. Letâs also remind our kids to always check with us before conversing with strangers. Using someoneâs nameâlike Lolo Emilâsâbuilds bridges. It shows they matter. Try it: say a cashierâs or serverâs name, share a smile, and trust our Heavenly Fatherâs care.Â
Batangas âtoâor as the locals would say, âBatangas a-reh!â
*Looking for stats and facts? For the latest data or report on crime rates in the Philippines, you may check here or here.
ancore! 