Kids. Through my Point-and-Shoot.

This post is inspired by a book I came across titled "Where the Children Are" by Gizela Gonzales. In her book, the author was able to present the different problems of the society - poverty, malnutrition, lack of health services, education- through stories of children. Photographs of children to be exact.

I was never a photographer. I am as artistic as my trusty pink point-and-shoot camera would allow me to be. But recently, someone's inspiring me to take photography a wee bit more seriously than I used to (more on that on another post). Thus the unearthing of what I think are some of my most artistic  mapagpanggap photos.

More than my mediocre photography skills, it's the children in these pictures that really matter. The stories behind their smiles, their tattered clothes.  Their unwavering dreams despite empty bellies and bare feet.

I mentioned in my debriefing moments how I'm starting to embrace my inner social worker self.hahaha. Kidding aside, I think it would be amazing if I can do something more for these kids, and the countless kids like them all over the country.

Mangyan children from Sitio Upper Yunot. Bulalacao, Mindoro Oriental.

This photo was taken in Upper Yunot Elementary School in Bulalacao, Mindoro Oriental. These kids belong in a community of Mangyans who are discriminated by lowlanders and sadly, often neglected by the government. They study in classrooms made of pawid (dried palm leaves). Mangyan students endure the scorching heat in their makeshift classrooms during summer, and rain during rainy season. The school has no electricity.

Last year, Sagip Kapamilya built a three-classroom building for the students of Upper Yunot.

Mangyan kids after their first class in their new classrooms.

This next photo is of one kid that really touched my heart. Josue is an 11-year old boy from Brgy. Macatad in Siniloan, Laguna. Their house at the foot of the mountain is often destroyed or completely blown away during typhoons. To get to school, Josue has to cross a river and walk for a full four-kilometer. By the time he gets to class, he is already dirty and smelly, making other kids not want to play with him or sit next to him in class. He is often teased as "batang dugyot" (filthy boy).

Josue Agam, "ang batang dugyot". Siniloan, Laguna.

Josue's youngest brother, Daniel.

Josue when we visited him again last January.

In Concepcion Village, Pasig City and Welfareville and Hilaga ng Kapalaran Village in Mandaluyong, many children drop out of school because of poverty. Either they can't attend class regularly because they don't have baon to school or are forced by their parents to work. In 2009, football coach Migs Bermundo started Dream Big Pilipinas, a free football clinic for kids aged 7-17. For the past three years, Dream Big has brought kids back to school through football and has even gotten scholarship for some of the students. This photo was taken during one of their summer football class.

Kids of Dream Big Pilipinas. Concepcion Village, Pasig City.

Last May, I met a 19-year old aspiring boxer who braved Manila to help his family by fighting in the ring. He currently trains under Elorde Boxing Gym. He has not seen his family since leaving his hometown five years ago. This is a photo of the younger siblings he left behind, taken when we brought him to Albay to visit his family.

Sapo siblings. Polangui, Albay.

In December 2011, Sagip Kapamilya built a 2-classroom building, renovated three classrooms and rebuilt an almost 80-year old Gabaldon type school building in Barangay Bilad in Camiling, Tarlac. This is a photo of the students after their school was rebuilt.

Student of Bilad Elementary School. Camiling, Tarlac.

In a country where Reproductive Health Bill is yet to be ratified, many poor couples continue to have more kids than they can support. The Avila family of Siniloan, Laguna is one of them. The mother, Rosel, says she doesn't take pills because she's afraid of the side effects. Condom is out of the question because they'd rather spent the money on rice of canned goods. She delivered all her 11 kids at home with the help of a kumadrona (midwife), endangering her to join the more than 4,100 mothers who die of childbirth complications every year *. This is the photo of the youngest of Avila siblings.

Avila kid number 11. Siniloan, Laguna.

Someday, I'll be taking better photos of these young angels. As good as the future that's hopefully in store for them.:)

Roanni

*source: United Nations