A Journey with Children

For the past one and half months, I've been going around the streets of Manila, Baguio, Olongapo, Davao and Zamboanga to search for stories of children living and working in the streets. I was contracted by UNICEF Philippines to be the writer and assistant to Italian photographer Giacomo Pirozzi on his latest photobook, which focuses on the street children of our country. Giacomo also visited Cebu and Cotabato for this assignment.

The product of 6 weeks of shooting, is a 256-page photobook featuring the lives of forty-six (46) children. Each story opens with a quote from the child and centers on his/her life story. Through their lives, we cover almost all of the issues related to a child. We have stories from as simple as  teenage love, fashion and self expression to as complex as health, human rights violations, physical abuse, trafficking, sex work, migration, discrimation and so many more. 

The book will be launched in October 2011.

My Journey

The addage that says, "You never truly appreciate what you have until you see what others do not have." or something like this, couldn't have been more apt for my experiences while making this book. Last Friday, typhoon Falcon brought in so many rains, and caused some water to seep into our new home. At first, I was so pissed at the incident and worried about the possible damage. But I remembered this eleven-year-old boy, Amsani, who lives in a pedicab in Baclaran, Pasay City. When it rains, he has to move under the awnings of fastfood restaurants just to keep dry. He has three puppies that he has to sell just so he and his family can rent a house for a month, even just for the rainy season. I've always known that there are children like Amsani. But now, I have someone specific to worry about.

This project has also tested my interviewing and people skills. I had to get people to warm up to me in a short span of time, and hopefully get some very insightful quotes about their difficult lives. I have proven that contrary to how we always think about street children--rowdy, drug users, dirty, uneducated--they still can be kind and respectful. Yes, they lack skills on how to read, they haven't taken a bath, they've worked day and night, and have seen and experienced more violence than most people, but bottomline, THEY ARE STILL CHILDREN. 

Also, Giacomo's analysis of the different situations we encountered has shown me a different perspective. It is so often that we get used to certain situations in our country that we just accept it as is. His insights helped me realize that we still need to question things and make some changes even for things that seem to work.

I am sure that this book will go beyond being a material to raise funds and spread awareness. As early as now both UNICEF's country representative and DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman have expressed that we need to follow-up on all 46 children and ensure that they have better lives. Even just for this, I believe that the book has succeeded.