#35 mm musical

[ghostypoppyseeds]

these are my absolute favorite musicals, some i do live more than others but these are all such amazing works of art. out of all of them i was the most obsessed with be more chill, but like who wouldn’t be it’s such a a amazing musical (especially for losers) so like why not??!?

[littletreats]

billie eilish's tiny desk

october 2024 / washington, dc, usa // minolta maxxum 7000 / kodak ultramax 400

[joshleyson]

THIS IS: SIARGAO ✨

December film dump 🎞️

Growing up in Mindanao for almost 2 decades and never actually being able to traverse the picturesque landscapes in the eastern part of the island is something that I know I have to break before the year ends. So I did.

I flew from Manila to Cebu so early in the morning to catch a connecting flight to Siargao by noon. Traveling to Siargao was a lot of firsts for me. Not having to go to every detail but when the plane was about to take off to Siargao, we were all offloaded due to the bad weather on the island. Fortunately, instead of having to fly back to Manila, the airline was kind enough to take me to a nearby hotel in Cebu, all expenses paid including food, transportation, and next-day ticket. It was an unexpected staycation which surprisingly I enjoyed.

Coming from a very tiring day at work and then going to the airport, I felt like I really needed this quiet time, and I was able to check in to this lavish hotel all by myself while waiting for my flight the next day. Also, I had a great night as well in Cebu catching up with one of my long-time friends and her beaux. I went back to my hotel around 3 in the morning because there’s just so many things to catch up and I really missed my homie so much. Keyword: low-maintenance friendships.

So the day finally came, and I was able to land safely on the island of Siargao. Right off the bat on my first night, I had a lovely dinner with my travel friends slash buddies at work and we went to a bar, and danced the night away which to me serves as a prelude to the great experience this vibrant community had in stored for me as a Mindanaoan that have never set foot beyond the confines of Zamboanga and western Mindanao.

We spent our days being on the road which to me was such a release. Being able to smell the fresh ocean breeze while blasting our favorite Y2K songs in the car and relying on Waze or Google Maps for our next destination, to me, makes the trip so much fun because of the spontaneity and unpredictability that it brings. We went island hopping, danced in the boat, swam on open waters, ate our hearts out, moved from one accommodation to another, and I tried surfing for the first time! I never thought I would enjoy the experience because it was raining lightly at that time and the waves were so big it could easily engulf me, but man, best day ever!!!! I fell on the surfing board and slammed my body on the rushing waves several times but being able to stand on the surfboard for the first time was such a liberating experience. A little bit of a stretch, but it was and I will try it again once I go back to Siargao.

☾

I flew back to Cebu and then to Manila to catch one of my friend’s wedding and luckily I made it with no delay. Looking at the pictures that I got to develop from a Fuji film camera that I brought with me on the island, I am reminded again of the incredible healing power of what it’s like to try new things, be with nature, and just breathe. Knowing that the year is about to end in a couple of weeks, I felt so blessed to have that opportunity to break the complicated rhythm of corporate life and to disconnect for a moment. 

After 3 weeks, I get to fly back to Boracay to celebrate New Year’s Eve. So many epic moments that I am also grateful for which I may save for the future but nevertheless, my last month of 2023 was such a banger and I hope it always feels that way.

By the way, I’m writing all these on my iPhone because I’m too tired to get up and open my MacBook, so I appreciate you for hanging with me this far. So that’s it for 2023!

Simply put, I just want to say Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones, and may 2024 be as effervescent as your hopes and dreams for the future.

J.

(December, 2023)

(Photos were shot using Fujifilm Simpleace 35 mm camera + iPhone 15 Pro Max)

FOLLOW ME: Instagram/TikTok/Twitter: joshleyson

(Music by Grammy nominee, Victoria Monét. All rights belong to her and her publishers. For personal and non-commercial use only. Stream her great catalogue on Spotify and Apple Music.)

[votingonrandmthings]

Vote On...

[lunadarkphotography]

"We're only here for a while, we're only here for today.."

A music diary for December. A month of new beginnings and losses, death and rebirth, leading to a new year with a promise to cherish all that was good and to heal, to create, to remember, to live.. Wishing everyone a meaningful next rotation around the sun..

[odilegr8]

[jade-weird]

[bajablastflavoredsaxreed]

not a day goes by where i don’t think about GOD LOVES LUANNE‼️ PRAISE BE AMEEEEEN. it’s just so powerful for no reason

[victoriapedroza]

Space Honey. 2020

purgatorie on IG

[golfishwiththebigeyes]

my experience this morning

[35canister]

Buskers of Ireland.

Dublin, Ireland 2018

Leica r4s

[littletreats]

dua lipa’s tiny desk

washington, dc, usa (october 2024)

minolta maxxum 7000 | kodak ultramax 400

[marioninthewoodsnexttothebeach]

Simonstre - concert de Vald Nouveau Cas 2020

[votingonrandmthings]

Vote On...

[japicidad]

[yhbran]

london nights

shot by yhbran