Smokey Mountain - On the boundaries of Human condition

A documentary project carried along several months of immersion in Metro Manila. Building up on familiarity from previous visits, this time the exercise was somewhat of a process of further discovery. A journey of exploration into the core of Manila slums... Starting every weekend from the busy Binondo market, with all its vibe and colors, a repetitive stretching exercise of the photographer's self-confidence to delve deeper into harsher realities. Simultaneously, it was a phased process of conquering the trust and acquaintance of the locals towards this strange unnatural presence in their element - "this western guy that kept coming back, bringing along some quite indiscreet gear". As stated, the main goal of the documentary was to keep heading straight to the core of Manila slums. Eventually, if conditions allowed, unveil the infamous neighborhood of Smokey Mountains. The name might sound funny in the ear, but what are we trying to cover here...? Better call the things by their names, and in fact we are talking of an entire society built around Manila's largest open land dumpster. Thousands of people subsisting on the garbage processing industry. The term was coined after the persistent smog hovering around, due to the massive garbage incineration that continuously takes place - day after day. Smokey Mountain is, per se, a city within a city, trying to survive by its own means to the extent possible. Surely a place permeated by endemic criminality, drug, alcohol and public health issues... but somewhat impressively endorsed with its own social system. A rather complex setting of established rules, trading mechanisms around garbage recycling, and astonishing solidarity network between the people - that other than that would have no other anchoring hope to grab themselves to. As an outsider landing in this place, the sheer scale of the situation is north of impressive. Being the thousands of people living in this large complex, or the overarching state of deprivation installed. Surprisingly though, Filipinos' natural joyfulness seems to be the secret ingredient to cope with the madness, and a contagious smile is found in every face. From kids to adults, spontaneous and genuine happiness is a common denominator. In hindsight, given proper time to mature thoughts around the experience, this was by far one of the most intense documentary projects that the photographer has set himself to. Even if always returning to the safe lands of Makati city center after each long day, this project served as an intentional process of self-reflection around discrepancy of living standards. Stepping one time after the other outside the comfort zone, in search of some sort of enlightenment through confrontation with reality - as harsh as it gets. Roaming from one neighbourhood to the other, Intramuros, Binondo, Tondo, Payatas... Always following this thin line along the boundaries of human condition. Manila - October to December, 2016