Project Balikbayan

Hi all,

I just wanted to link you all to my latest project blog.

“Balikbayan” is a Filipino word referring to an individual who lives outside the Philippines returning for a visit.  It is a composite word comprising of the word ‘balik’ meaning ‘to return’ and ‘bayan’ meaning ‘country,’ ‘community,’ ‘village,’ or ‘my house.’  

 

Kilusan Collective: Balikbayan Thoughts

I lived here in 2001 with my family. The simple house of corregated iron, plywood, and cinderblock was by active traintracks.

I’ve been in the Philippines a few days now with the Kilusan Collective and I am lost in a sea of conflicting thoughts, much of it stemming from an inner debate as to my responsibilities as a balikbayan [returning Filipino living abroad] and my purpose in this project.

 

The Children’s Rehabilitation Center (Philippines)

I did some work with an NGO called the Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC) on my last visit to the Philippines in Oct 2007 to January 2008.  The CRC works with children who are victims of state violence.  This set of ten images will try to tell just a small part of their current story.

 

Poverty, Devotion, Death, and Big Block Parties.

The Philippines is a poor country. It is also a country with public, large scale acts of religious devotion, and massive street parties (called ‘Fiestas’) that put families into debt. There is an argument that can be made to link one to the others, but whatever the case the people do alot of praying and drinking.

 

A Friday in Manila

This was a particularly interesting Friday. Myk and JR, Fils (and KPCer’s) from Toronto, and some foriegners that were volunteering in Manila were interested in visiting some urban poor areas to see how a vast number of their fellow Filipinos lived.

 

Quiapo Fiesta with Family

These pics are from 9 Jan 08, the Quiapo Fiesta in Manila. They are mostly family photos from my maternal side.

 

Philippine Politics: Just as Insane Locally

An onlooker watches the wackiness taking place at the baragay hall.

Barangay madness. [*a “barangay” is the smallest form of municipal demarcation]

Former Chairman Jimmy DeGuzman in Blumentritt, Manila refuses to surrender the key to the barangay hall to new Chair Len-Len for weeks after the election.

 

Around the Neighbourhood

These are images from around my grandmother’s place in Manila.

 

First Impressions

This is the alleyway that leads to my Lola’s (grandmother’s) house.

Manila mostly smells the same.

When I first returned here in 2001 I immediately noticed that though it smelled much like the other capitals of underdeveloped countries I had visited (mostly that of diesel), it also had that a faint smell of sewage. Basically, if you want an idea of it I suggest running your car in the garage with the garage door open just wide enough so that you don’t die, and have a bucket of open sewage water at your feet.