Life in the Streets of Manila

When I heard about the plan and project to shoot in the streets of Manila, I was very excited. I said to myself, "at last I can join an EB with my fellow photography enthusiasts; at last I can test my new DSLR". One thing that bothers me though, the photo shoot was an experience of fun yet I couldn't escape the stigma of the reality of life I witnessed as we traversed the streets of Escolta, Intramuros, Baseco and Baywalk seeing our fellowmen trying to survive by any means they know of.

First, I saw the pitiful condition of Mang Agapito. Dubbed as "The Most Photographed Man in the Streets", Mang Agapito has been in the streets for 37 long years since he accidentally lost his eyesight together with his hands in a dynamite fishing at the age of 30.

Each day of the week, just barely after eating breakfast, his wife brings him to Escolta or Quiapo area to find a suitable corner in the streets. With the remaining stump of his forearms holding his harmonica, he plays music to appeal for mercy from good hearted passersby. The music blends with the tinkling of the coin as it hits the tin can beside him. Each tinkling sound is music to the ears of Mang Agapito though at times only few is heard.

Mang Agapito reached only Grade III and made a living by fishing in the shores of Masbate. He had memorable years serving the government as a well-respected chairman of their barangay and as one of the Mayor’s trusted men until the tragic incident.

At dusk, after a fateful day he again waits for his loving wife to fetch him and join his five grown up children.

Here's another man sitting by himself as if waiting for his loved ones in despair. His right foot is hurt and nobody seems to care. Painted in his face the loneliness that you and I would not dare to experience if given a choice. To him smile is now an illusive experience, and remains a thought and an idea. I could not deny the possibility that sooner or later he might lose his sanity due to extreme desperation. How sad, isn't it?

Life is colorful, but to this little boy sitting on a log beside the river bank where they live, this truth is now a lie. Yes, life can really be sad just like this kid when the colors of life are taken away by the poverty that engulfs us. Many would say life is worth living yet to hundreds or thousands of our fellowmen they may define life in a different way according to their own understanding as influenced by their situation.

Questions after questions can be asked as to why some of our fellowmen choose to stay in the slum area. Is it because of their own volition or that they were pressed by the situation and life's condition?

How will this be addressed the soonest possible time by Philippine Administration?

The United Nations agency UN-HABITAT defines a slum as a heavily populated urban area characterized by substandard housing and squalor. The term traditionally referred to housing areas that were once respectable but which deteriorated as the original dwellers moved on to newer and better parts of the city, but has come to include the vast informal settlements found in cities in the developing world. The word may come from the slang term 'Slams' (pronounced slums and short for Islams) referring to the poor and crowded Muslim suburbs of early 19th century Cape Town. (see Arabic Afrikaans).

Although their characteristics vary between geographic regions, they are usually inhabited by the very poor or socially disadvantaged. Slum buildings vary from simple shacks to permanent and well-maintained structures. Most slums lack clean water, electricity, sanitation and other basic services. Reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slum

Did you ever wonder how they cope up with life without consistent supply of safe water? Where do they get it to quench their thirst? How about their daily routine of taking a bath and use of comfort room and other related activities wherein water is vital ? Now, here's a bunch of teenage boys who went for a short splash into the murky waters of Pasig River one afternoon to be refreshed. Maybe this is just one of the answers to these questions.

Towards the end of the day, another page in the chapter of life of these people in the street has turned. They would then retire and just sleep away the truth that life is unfair to them hoping that they would still wake up the next day.

Here's a man trying to relax by the shore of Roxas Boulevard in Baywalk area. He portrays an inevitable truth and reality you would usually see as you walk down the streets of the city of Manila. As we grow old we are nearing the sunset of our life. Soon, light would be gone and darkness takes over.

This adventure brought me into deep thought. Read on because these could be the same questions you might want to ask yourself: "Have I found the meaning of my existence? Have I thought of these people and am I willing to somehow help them alleviate their plight? Can they see hope in me as I meet them along the streets?"

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