Religion has played a large part in my life and upbringing. It has been a source of comfort and a time for reflection. Like many Filipinos, I adopted the value structure dictated by Catholicism. Over the years I watched my mother seek and obtain emotional refuge during trying times through spirituality via prayers and scripture, especially during her tumultuous marriage to my father—a man plagued with insecurity and alcoholism.

My mother came from a broken family, which left her and her only brother, to be raised by their grandparents in the Philippines. Despite the unfortunate circumstances revolving around my mother’s childhood, she forged a strong bond with her brother.

After my mother and my uncle immigrated to the United States, their bond remained strong. While my father was abusive, my uncle was my mothers only form of emotional support, and the only person willing to stand up to my father when he became violent. It is because of his courage and unconditional love for my mom that my uncle solidified an important place in our (my sisters and mine) lives.

As I became a young adult, my path led me to college and graduate school where I spent about 10 years away from my family. I went home once in awhile and as time went by, I noticed my uncle was ill and his chronic issues began to occur more frequently, lasting longer between bouts. My uncle had always been a strong person, and in my heart, I knew he would over come this ordeal. Toward the end of 2009, I returned to Los Angeles to find out that my beloved uncle fell very ill and soon after passed away.

This series romanticizes the process of mourning by including photographs of my sick uncle, portraits of family members and images that emphasize my personal feelings and emotions while dealing with my uncle’s passing.