A truck transports evacuated residents through floodwaters caused by monsoon rains in Sucat, Paranaque south of Metro Manila August 19, 2013. Heavy rain in the Philippine capital forced the closure of government offices, schools, banks and most private companies on Monday, and residents in parts of the city and nearby provinces had to flee from their homes because of floods. At least three people were killed and two were missing in accidents caused by the rain and flooding, disaster and government officials said. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

A vendor wades through floodwaters caused by monsoon rains in Sucat, Paranaque south of Metro Manila August 19, 2013. Heavy rain in the Philippine capital forced the closure of government offices, schools, banks and most private companies on Monday, and residents in parts of the city and nearby provinces had to flee from their homes because of floods. At least three people were killed and two were missing in accidents caused by the rain and flooding, disaster and government officials said. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

Men wade through floodwaters caused by monsoon rains in Sucat, Paranaque south of Metro Manila August 19, 2013. Heavy rain in the Philippine capital forced the closure of government offices, schools, banks and most private companies on Monday, and residents in parts of the city and nearby provinces had to flee from their homes because of floods. At least three people were killed and two were missing in accidents caused by the rain and flooding, disaster and government officials said. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

Residents begin to clean their homes submerged in floodwaters caused by monsoon rains in Sucat, Paranaque south of Metro Manila August 19, 2013. Heavy rain in the Philippine capital forced the closure of government offices, schools, banks and most private companies on Monday, and residents in parts of the city and nearby provinces had to flee from their homes because of floods. At least three people were killed and two were missing in accidents caused by the rain and flooding, disaster and government officials said. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

Children play basketball in floodwaters caused by monsoon rains in Makati City, Metro Manila August 19, 2013. Heavy rain in the Philippine capital forced the closure of government offices, schools, banks and most private companies on Monday, and residents in parts of the city and nearby provinces had to flee from their homes because of floods. At least three people were killed and two were missing in accidents caused by the rain and flooding, disaster and government officials said. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

A resident takes a break from cleaning her house that was submerged in floodwaters caused by monsoon rains in Sucat, Paranaque south of Metro Manila August 19, 2013. Heavy rain in the Philippine capital forced the closure of government offices, schools, banks and most private companies on Monday, and residents in parts of the city and nearby provinces had to flee from their homes because of floods. At least three people were killed and two were missing in accidents caused by the rain and flooding, disaster and government officials said. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

A man wades through floodwater that submerged a residential community in Sitio Lambak, Taytay Rizal Province August 20, 2013. Monsoon rains reinforced by a tropical storm flooded half the Philippine capital in just 24 hours, triggering landslides and killing at least seven people, officials said on Tuesday. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

A man wades through floodwaters in Tumana, Rizal Province August 20, 2013. Monsoon rains reinforced by a tropical storm flooded half the Philippine capital in just 24 hours, triggering landslides and killing at least seven people, officials said on Tuesday. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

Residents are rescued by government workers in Tumana, Rizal Province August 20, 2013. Monsoon rains reinforced by a tropical storm flooded half the Philippine capital in just 24 hours, triggering landslides and killing at least seven people, officials said on Tuesday. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

A man carries a child as they move into an evacuation site in Tumana, Rizal Province August 20, 2013. Monsoon rains reinforced by a tropical storm flooded half the Philippine capital in just 24 hours, triggering landslides and killing at least seven people, officials said on Tuesday. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

A man rests on a pew inside a church that was turned into an evacuation centre for people made homeless by the floods in Quezon City August 20, 2013. Monsoon rains reinforced by a tropical storm flooded half the Philippine capital in just 24 hours, triggering landslides and killing at least seven people, officials said on Tuesday. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

On-assignment for Reuters.

Having photos published in major publications around the world inevitably becomes a typical occurrence for a wire photographer. So typical that it becomes rare to find one who bothers to keep even half the clippings where his or her photos were featured.

Though it felt mundane while it was my job back then, I am grateful for my time in the wires. Everyday was an opportunity to produce the best possible photos and to show it to the world. Knowing that you shared this with best news photographers around the world kept on setting my standards for myself higher. Even the simplest assignments taught you to move faster, work harder, be better. Looking back, it was a nice feeling of accomplishment, to see your photograph on the front pages of a newspaper. A space which a thousand other photos could have easily claimed. It is something I only appreciated now that I'm not in that kind of work.

It has been one of the things I wish I didn't take for granted while working for the wires. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate it. It was because I thought I would be collecting them for the rest of my life. It is rare to find a wire photographer who keeps even half his clippings, but it's a good thing I have parents who held onto mine.