Pyro

I remember when I was a kid my second cousin Kuya Arvi did some magic trick (well, it was a magic trick for me way back). He coursed his finger back and forth from the lit lighter, to my amazement I wanted to try it as well. At first I was too scared, thinking I might end up hurting myself playing with fire. One day, I tried what he did. I gathered all my strength and courage to do so. And finally I did it! I was playing with fire literally. What added up to it was that I even got a candle and let it burn, the melted wax of the candle waiting to drop on the palm of my hand, so it did. At first it hurt me A LOT and eventually through several tries I got used with it. It no longer pains me. In fact, I even enjoyed it. Even until now.

Whenever I see fire, I don't see the devastation it may bring. What I see is myself, my strength, and who I am. There was this time when I was trying to deal with kitchen stuff that I had to switch on the gas stove. One burner is a bit easier and controls fire but somehow the other lights up like a burning fire camp. To some extend the one that I prefer won't work, so I had no choice but to deal with the other. I can't exactly recall how it went but all I can remember was while I was holding the pan the fire lit up and reached the ceiling and back to the pan. I was so terrified and hurriedly switched off the gas stove. I love the fire and its flame but I'm scared of what it can do to others. But somehow, yes, I am scared of burning.

My uncle loves to smoke, he smokes cigars every now and then. The space in our house is very narrow that you need to imply those "excuse me" manners when passing by the living room going to the kitchen or to anywhere else in the house. I had to go upstairs and I said my polite words as a gateway to get through. But as soon as I reach the stairs my uncle's cigar burned my left hand. It hurt terribly. It left a mark. But after feeling the pain and the fire of the cigar, I didn't felt damaged or weakened. Instead, I felt charged and strengthened. I enjoy seeing the flame, the ashes and the fire itself.

I've always dreamed of sitting by the shore with my friends, having a bon fire in the middle while we're gathered in a circle, star gazing and staying up until sun rise. I am very thankful that it happened February 2015 right after Beachforce 2 at Batangas. We gathered wood for the Bon fire. When we had enough to keep it alive until morning, everyone but me stepped back from the fire because it was so strong that the flames almost touched us. The burning sensation if the fire grew larger and stronger. I sat beside it on a tiny log. I enjoyed watching the stars while sitting beside this fire. I don't feel pained by the heat. I love the heat it makes me feel, the get of the fire beside me makes me want to live.

Whenever I see poi dancers I watch them with so much amazement. If only I knew how to do it I would. I had my photo taken with a poi dancers twice. First was at Boracay 2012 and second was at Puerto Galera 2015. The scent of the gas stinks but my eyes love the fire so much that when it was too clear to see, when it was inches away from me. My eyes would always sparkle. I wanted to dance with fire and one day I know I will. I will have that kind of skill.

Lighting a match was never easy for me. I have to break several pieces of match to successfully light up a tiny candle or the gas stove. Until I got hold of it. And enjoyed watching the fire crawl to reach my finger tips.

The element that symbolizes devastation to all symbolizes life for me. If I were to choose what power would I want to posses. I'd always choose fire. This explains why I feel powerful and ahead whenever I wear red. Learn to live and love fire because it doesn't lie to you. It will never lie to you. It would pain you and hurt you a lot but it would never ever lie to you.

(MARCH 2016)