As it was a year ago, the very first day of the year was cloudy and gloomy. And at the end of the daylight, I was tempter to go hunting so I grabbed my rifle, the Canon Cam my aunt gave me, to seek for wild animals, the perfect gloomy shots of the day.

The bike took me around the village. When I was near the park, I was halted by this policeman on a bike. At that point I had to take Britney and Pharell off my ears for a while and listened to his warning that it was prohibited to take pictures around the village. I was in my simple shirt and shorts but I figured that it was my head that mattered so I asked him sternly, "Why?"

"Basta po, bawal magpicture. Kailangan niyo pa ng permit sa office... (It's just that it's prohibited unless you have a permit from the office)", he told me.

I was suddenly a little mad about the whole prohibition thing so I countered him with a lot of words (in Filipino, English, and Taglish). The man was nice at the end, got my view (which I liked), and even said sorry because he said "it was just part of the rules so we have to tell you to stop it."

I gave him a sermon that it was not his fault, but he should know what he is following because he's part of that BODY which prohibits picture taking in the village. He should be able to rationalize because if not, he SHOULD QUIT. And I told him to raise the issue I told him to whomever is concerned. I asked about the village's Master's name and told the man to tell that boss (or someone from the authority) everything I proposed.

First of all, I don't see the reason why a village prohibits taking pictures in their vicinity. They should be aware that our current technological generation is capable of taking shots at any parts of a place, whether it is the avenue or the mouse hole in your office. Monitoring everyone around your village to warn people who are taking pictures without permission will be a huge pain in the ass. So consider reconsidering your law, Mr. M. It's very unstable. Not everyone will be able to follow it. If I were a tourist I would just take pictures around your pretty village with or without your knowledge (Note: It is only prohibited if you get caught by the authority).

And to add, Mr. M, I have already BILLIONS of photos around your village without permit. By the way, since when was this implemented? Are you going to get me for this? I have the rights with my camera as much as you have the rights with your own village.

Another, I need to see the rule IN BLACK AND WHITE. You can't say I committed something illegal inside your vicinity because in the very first place, I had no warning. Nobody has. There are no signs. Understand that everyone is capable of taking shots anywhere anytime. So there should be something that reminds everyone that it is not allowed unless with proper legal and authorized consent. Security guards are not enough unless they are in every corner of your village with that sign saying NO PICTURES without our two fingers signaling a peace sign.

The law is evidently unstable. Reconsider and plan well, Mr. M. I'm perfectly sure you are aware of the technological revolution we have now so there should be revision with your law. But really, what's the point of not allowing it??

There was once my friend Mark and I were walking on this long pretty "bridge cum hallway" inside your village. We were taking pictures until one guard approached us and asked us: "Are you from the (name of a famous hotel in Makati) who requested for a permission this morning to have a pictorial here?"

Mark and I had the same lie in mind, "Yes, we are."

And he left us with our monkey business.