PWD photographer proves the quote ‘Bahala’g saging, basta labing’ is true

The photos of freelance photographer Manuel Reyes Gonzales that proves the quote “Bahala’g saging, basta labing” is true. contributed photos | Manuel Reyes Gonzales

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Some of us may have already heard that famous Visayan quote, “Bahala’g saging, basta labing.”

Well, it shouldn’t be taken literally. Figuratively, this Cebuano quote means that expensive material things don’t matter much, as long as there’s love between two people.

But a freelance photographer hit two birds with one stone when he captured scenes of newlywed couples in a mass wedding last Sunday, October 4, 2019.

The photos proved the quote right as he photographed some couples eating saging (bananas), which was part of  sponsored meals during the wedding.

The photographer’s name is Manuel Reyes Gonzales, 39, a freelance photographer from Minglanilla. He is a person with disability (PWD).

The photographer, Manuel Reyes Gonzales. | photo from Gonzales’ Facebook account

He shared some of his photos of the 13th Cebu City Mass Wedding on his Facebook page.

“It makes me happy seeing couples happy during their wedding day. As a photographer, I would like to capture and freeze some of the moments for the couples for them to cherish forever,” says Gonzales.

The presence of bananas seem to signify the simplicity of the affair as it isn’t the usual dessert option in classy wedding ceremonies.

But again, as the saying goes, “Bahala’g saging, basta labing (loving).”

Meanwhile, Gonzales, who suffers from leg length discrepancy (LLD), said he hopes that through the photos, he could inspire not just couples but also PWDs.

“It was in the year 2016 when I started taking pictures and luckily, the LGU here in Minglanilla took notice of me and gave me the chance to take photos of events and places here,” he said. /bmjo