Photo Essay: Sayang Sayang, by Philip Ho

Sayang Sayang. That is what our mother used to say when she ran her hands over our wounds. We were very careless then. Just as we are now.

I went to look up its meaning the other day. It felt important. In Malay, sayang means “darling”, “dear one”, “to caress gently”. I thought you should know this. In Filipino, it means something like “what a shame” or “what a waste” when you shake your head and say “Sayang Lah”. I thought you should know that too.

I don’t know why growing up involves pain, or why people hurt one another. I don’t think anyone really understands the fullness of what it means to hurt another person. That is of some consolation, I suppose.

Our history is full of all kinds of violence. I have a part in it too, I understand. We used to be very close.

Photographs & Text: Philip Ho

Sayang Sayang, by Philip Ho was made during the IPA Mentorship Program. Click to view: More Mentorship Projects.

The IPA Mentorship Program is a photography mentorship initiative by Invisible Photographer Asia (IPA) for those who wish to further their personal photographic vision and goals. More info: www.invisiblephotographer.asia/ipamentorship