Philippines, Manilla: February 2022

Walking around in the heat with my camera around my neck. The city is bustling and very warm. The poverty is clear to see in Manilla. From a distance a young lady is gesturing me over to take a photo. I decline at first what I felt was a long walk to manoeuvre past people and carts, and cross the bustling road in very warm heat. I see the sadness in her eyes after I nod no, I change my mind and walk over. We don’t speak the same language but we understand each other. She wants a photo and starts posing for it. I am sad, affected by the poverty around her but don’t show it because she is happy in this moment of time. It looks like her family are present, living (or working) on the road but don’t seem interested in her posing for the camera. I show the photos we both like it with approval but there is sadness from both us that this moment has come to an end and we have to continue our separate journeys. I gained something from this experience as I think it did for this young lady. Till this day I wonder how she is and she is in a safe place.