From the ashes

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Worldwide | Friday, November 4, 2011 | 5 photos

When I was a kid, my mother bought me this cheap automatic camera and whenever she gets invited to some gathering, she would drag me along and ask me to take her pictures. Back then, the rules were simple. You have to focus on their faces and capture that moment to be immortalized in the family album. Alongside my duty, I would also take pictures of anything and anyone who fascinate me in those events. My mother thought it was a waste of film but as I grew up, my budding fascination for photography blossomed into love.

This love opened me up into a lot of things and experience. I became aware, through the lens and from the people I meet, the issues my country is facing: poverty, globalization, lack of social justice, and blatant disregard for human rights. And I think these photos represent what I’ve seen, learned, and experience while I was hiking in Smokey Mountain.

Smokey Mountain used to be a dumpsite back in the 90’s where hundreds of families make a living out of scavenging. It was said to visualize the Philippines. When it stopped being a dumpsite and the families where relocated, a few stayed and tilled the mountain. These families who stayed now scavenge and cultivate the land. I think it really does tell story of my country. From being a third world country, I hope it continues to rise from the ashes of poverty and start making use of its resources for the Filipino’s own benefit.

This scholarship is a once in a lifetime opportunity for my camera and me to explore South Africa. I want to know the people and experience their culture. I want to make a difference using my lens and tell their story to the world.