Te Quiero (hiatus)

3 - The City Of Smiles

3

The museum is devoid of people when I came in. After depositing my bag to the security and paying the entrance fee, I went in with the tour guide, my fingers already flicking the power dial of my SLR to life.

There were just the two of us on the first level, which wasn't surprising I suppose because it wasn't peak season this time of the year. I made sure to go when there were not a lot of tourists, so I could enjoy the places without the hassle of too much crowd.

Our footfalls click-clacked in the hall as we walked down from piece to piece and painting to painting, the tour guide's voice echoing in the silence while she explained the layers of rich history that made up the Negros as we know it. I couldn't help but say a lot of ooh's and aah's at every detail she provided. I couldn't stop myself. There were just so many interesting stuff to know about the haciendas and the trade here, and how they capitalized on their number one produce, sugar.

I marveled at the intricacy of the paintings, more so when I saw the artifacts that the wealthy Negrenses donated to the museum. They were also dioramas, carvings, land plans, and even archives containing old photos of the city. I learned a lot of the culture and lifestyle of the people just by looking and listening to the tour guide. In a way, a sense of nostalgia filled me in for memories that weren't even mine, and I felt proud that I was now sharing this intimate knowledge with the Negrenses. It was an honor to know, to see their passion and crafts, and get a glimpse of their history and a taste of the layers and layers of strategies that eventually led to them being hailed them as the sugar capital of the Philippines.

Soon enough, the tour guide left me to give me time to wander around and take photos. I almost didn't want to. I saw no point in posting these photos on my blog. People should come to see them for themselves. I didn't think my shots would give proper justice to the magic that this museum was offering its viewers anyway. But I took several snapshots and videos, still, just so my friends wouldn't breathe fire on my sorry ass.

I removed my hands from my camera, letting its strap hang around my neck instead, its heavy weight going to the back of my attention as I moved to the next artwork. The portrait in front of me was exquisite and intricate, timeless even, and again, I was struck with awe at how artistic the people of Negros were. I was reminded of ate Nellie, and one other friend that I was yet to meet here. God, they were just so talented and artistic, something I'd always wanted to be but always failing to achieve.

"So much history here. I feel like an outsider looking in," I whispered to myself, my fingers hovering just an inch over the painting, tracing the contours of the piece and admiring how seamless the artist had blended his colors.

"Tell me about it," a masculine said from behind me, startling me. I immediately whipped around to see a towering figure of a man looming over me. His figure immediately cut a striking impression even at first glance and he could easily look to be in my age.

"You're from Manila?" he asked again when I only smiled politely at him.

I nodded and couldn't help but study his posture and the way he carried himself. There was an air of ease there, some sort of telltale sign that seemed to say he was used to traveling. His dark hair was tousled in a laidback way, like the wind had artistically swept it to look like that, and the smile dominating his sharp features were just as laidback, sure and confident. He was evidently handsome and he knew it. He knew exactly how to use it to his advantage.

"Traveling solo?" he asked in his baritone.

"Something like that."

"Cool. Like me pala."

I gave another nod to indicate that I was leaving. He didn't say anything and simply nodded back, then I bounded back to the reception to notify the tour guide that I was done. She then led me to the JGM Gallery of International Folk Art & Toys.