made my way to barangay mauway

Living in the Philippines, passing along self-built houses made from wood with commercialized tarpaulins plastered across their walls and roofs, tangled electric wires dangerously dangling around them, and wet clothes hanging by their windows on an everyday basis is already considered a normal view.

Admittedly, I never gave them much thought until I got the chance to walk through their streets myself and meet the wonderful residents face to face.

 

Last November 30, 2017, my friend Ysabela took us to Barangay Mauway in Mandaluyong for a project.

When we got there, we were immediately greeted by Ate Leonora’s sweet smile and warm welcome. She allowed us into their

Ate Leonora owns a sari-sari store

home and sat us down as we talked for a while until she volunteered to tour us around their block.

stores and houses

Different families, similar houses and stores, but the smiles were the same; everyone seemed pretty happy to see us around. Children were playing basketball and pogs while the adults were either conversing with one another or taking care of their stores – everything felt real and non-digital that I got conscious and turned my camera off for a while to really get in touch with these beautiful people and their wonderful place.

Here are some of the children’s smiles, we didn’t even need to ask them to pose on purpose!

They also have a small school within their block that is newly renovated, air conditioned, and complete from chairs, tables, and school supplies. 

 

We left Barangay Mauway with happy hearts, I even forgot that it was for a project.

Yes, they do not live in luxurious mansions, nor do they have expensive cars, but their smiles were rich.

This is an aspect of our country we tend to overlook.

There are so many people whose potentials are not maximized because of limited opportunities. We normalize seeing these kinds of living conditions without realizing how many heroes and professionals there could and would have been if granted proper livelihoods. Sadly, our country faces a handful of serious problems that cannot be solved in a snap.

Stop blaming the government, stop blaming other countries, stop blaming our history. Start realizing our power as the people, start recognizing that our voices as citizens should be equal to the government and NOT under, and START CARING.

Living in the Philippines, passing along self-built houses made from wood with commercialized tarpaulins plastered across their walls and roofs, tangled electric wires dangerously dangling around them, and wet clothes hanging by their windows on an everyday basis is already considered a normal view.

Only now, I know that inside those houses and further into those areas live some of the most beautiful people there is.