Bahay ni Ka Lurdeng

Lurdeng's House (yes, that's the English translation) was one of my works way back in 1997, when I was a freshman in college. I submitted this in an 8x10 but I had it reprinted because I lost my whole portfolio due to a stupid professor (no, not my photography prof; I love her!)

Ka Lurdeng (I think she died already) was a 'legend' in our place. She was mental, but according to rumors she was a university professor before, then her genius turned to madness (so cliche, I know). She lived in this dilapidated house (with a grandchild, mind you!), never torn down since the 1950s or 1960s.

She had a bent forefinger (right hand) and had always been known to knock on doors asking for food or something, speaking in perfect English! There were times I saw her taking a shower by one of the local water pumps and it was a funny yet surrealistic experience. Kids were laughing that time and when she realized she was the one being laughed at, she told them to go home (still in English) and started showering the kids with water from her pail. I think the kids enjoyed it.

I took this picture because I thought I had to preserve Ka Lurdeng or her memory somehow. I knew her since childhood (my pre-kindergarten school was across her house) and my fear of her somehow turned to respect. Or so I think.

Now that you know the BG of this BW photo, I hope you appreciate it more.

PS. See the banner on the left? It's a Ginebra (local liquor brand from the co. of San Miguel Beer) banner and it says, "Since 1856". Nice one huh?

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December 1997. Yashica SLR Film Camera. Kodak BW 400ASA.