Tree-lined roads and komorebi — and the sadnesses of road-widening in South Cotabato

The sight of trees killed, maimed, and cut down depresses me. That's what I pretty much see along highways in South Cotabato these days. The powers-that-be widen the roads but kill the giant narra, mahogany, and acacia trees that have done nothing else but provide beauty and shade.

When I'm elsewhere, I capture the beauty of trees, as in this quiet street in Fukuoka. The trees create a komorebi (木漏れ日), a "Japanese word for the play of sunlight and shadow created when sunlight filters through the leaves of trees. It describes the dappled light and shadow patterns on the ground beneath a forest canopy. Komorebi also carries a sense of serenity, tranquility, and appreciation for the fleeting beauty of nature, reflecting a deeper connection with the natural world."