Changing My Molecular Structure

I'm on Day 6 of a 40 day Longevity Kyira meditation cycle. If done for 40 days, it is said to change the molecular structure of the body. It can heal impurities and get rid of harmful substances in the blood, body, and mind. I've never been into self-portraits, but I felt like this might be a good time to start. This is me at home, in my natural state.

into the long time sun

Dredging the river and finding treasures I tossed out long ago.
Click pic for the blowup.

sleeping beautiful

happy valentine's day

Iloilo City, Philippines 2002

8.5x11 c-print

Displaced indigeinous Ati family in the streets Iloilo City.

manong & manang

Kalinga, Philippines 2001

8.5x11  

c-print

danum 

salidummay

post roda by ayo

photos by: ayo. age 7.

self portrait

self portrait, reflection from Larry Bell sculpture at After Ferus Galley.

See After Ferus Gallery project at Raise High the Roof Beam.

bateria

daily rituals #011

san pedro, ca

daily rituals #009

Pann's Restaurant
Los Angeles, CA

in mama's shoes

the home town

san francisco, ca. 2008
view from kaiser hospital-geary

july sky

volunteer milita. philippines. 2002

8.5x11 c-print

Every year around this time, the neighborhood is poppin’. Literally. The heat of the summer is beginning to settle in. The block starts to get hot. When fireworks start to pop off, I can’t help but pause for a moment and wonder if it was live ammunition. Drive-bys here are no ghetto fairy tale. They happen.

And it’s not just here. Bullets fly world wide. Bombs are bursting in air. On other parts of the globe, children fear the very sounds that give American children joy. While traveling in the Philippines, I photographed a group of volunteer militia. A few months prior, I had spent time with people who had fought with or supported guerilla forces. I heard horror stories about these volunteer militias. I thought of Leno Brocka’s, “Oropronobis”, a film about human rights violations committed by volunteer militias during the Aquino administration. I wanted to hate these men, but instead I thought of the tragedy of war itself--not the men holding the guns. They gave themselves to the lens without hestitation and with all honesty--the war machine cranking its gears right before my eyes.

On the Fouth of July, I remember that war is real. As I marvel at the beauty of the July sky, a part of me is quite and thankful for the privilege of entertainment and the opportunity to enjoy a summer night. I remember those I have met who have been in war. And I take a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives in the struggle.

daily rituals #007

home, sweet, home.

midcity. los angeles,ca

daily rituals #006

welcome summer

8.5 x 11 c-print
los angeles, ca

daily rituals #005

scarecrow, community garden, highland park

For Tata

“All our guns and machine gun placements were hit directly and nearly the whole area was burning because of incendiary bombs. We were not able to eat nor drink anything during those two days...The Red Cross hospital was bombed, leaving pieces of human bodies hanging on the trees and mangled bodies everywhere in sight. On April 9th, Gen. Wainwright ordered all Bataan forces to surrender. We were then ordered by the Japanese to line up on one side of the street without our guns and pistols."
~Excerpt from the Memoirs of Marciano Lim, my grandfather

My grandfather served in the United States Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE) in the Philippines during World War II. This excerpt tells of his escape from the Bataan Death March and his journey back home. Prisoners of war in the march were subject to starvation, beheadings, casual shooting, disembowelment, and bayonet stabbings. By seeking opportunity and seizing upon his courage, he was able to escape Japanese forces. He had to abandon his military clothing, including his shoes, and walk barefoot for miles while sick with malaria. He walked for three days. Sadly, upon his arrival he was told that his first child, a son, had died just a few days before.

Losing a child is unimaginable; as were many conditions faced by our elders. Somehow they were able to endure, love, and create life. How strong the force is that pulls us toward home and family. It is that force that is responsible for my existence today. And for, that I am grateful.

From T-B, L-R: Marciano Lim(grandfather), Miguela Lim(grandmother), Crispin Lim(uncle), Geronima Marcelino (aunt), Ana Nazareno(aunt), Denny Lim (my father), Miguela Lim, Marciano Lim, Lea Carnero(aunt).

daily rituals #004

rising with the sun

I must always remind myself that training capoeira keeps me sane; mentality and physically fit. I woke up this morning at 5:50am for my date with the park. Training capoeira that early in the morning is alot more effective than coffee! The other added benefit is that everyone in the house is still asleep and I have the opportunity to be alone with my thoughts.

Try waking up before the baby in the morning. Take a walk. Make some tea. Write. Stretch. Meditate. It will change your life. I promise.

To see the entire capoeira set, click here.
Pictured above is Capoeira Angola Center of LA's monthly roda held at Creative Seeds. Learn more about Capoeira Angola here. Click here for class schedule.

a verdade

mestre moraes