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My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Worldwide | Monday, November 7, 2011 | 5 photos

I am Joseph Angan, 21 years old from Manila. I am a college student who is deeply in love with photography for four years. I usually have a camera by my side, and I make photos of things that I see around me. This has made my very much involved in Street Photography. And recently, I have been involved in film photography, using a borrowed Rolleicord TLR camera and a Minolta Hi-Matic F rangefinder camera.

My photos are about my city, Manila. The Philippines was a colony of Spain and the USA. Under occupation, Manila was built into a capital city that was envied in South East Asia. Now, as a result of the World War 2 and deteriorating public governance, Manila is now a tattered shadow of what it was during the colonial times. Most parts are poverty-stricken and shanty towns are scattered throughout large parts of the city. A lot of Filipinos do not see a Manila as a place that is worth seeing, when compared to regional landmarks like Singapore and Hong Kong. However, I disagree with the naysayers. When I have time, a walk around Manila, making photos of as I go along. I strive to find the beauty in the place. I still see the remnants of the city's golden age, and the people that continue to strive against their low standard. I want others to know that Filipinos must not give up on Manila. Despite the blows of what has happened in history, our capital city can be rebuilt.