Smokey Himalayas

An abandoned waste land that cages in the garbagecoming from tons of Filipinos. The land fill is a place no one can withstand, the lingering scent of rotten fruit, burnt rubber and old diappers are engraved to one's senses. The stench filling up and nauseating to the bone, yet they continue to strive. In the slums of Tondo, Manila is q place no one can cope with, the Smokey Mountains.

Illegal or informal settlers as considered by society a label to Mang Isko and his grand children Marco, Pepe and Isay. They can be seen around the land fill collecting garbage to sell to junk shops, it takes Mang Isko a whole day to fill up his sack with metal, plastic, paper and other recyclables. Up on the miuntains are piles of more trash and metal. According to Mang Isko: "Sa hirap ng buhay at katandaan eto na lang ang kaya kong trabaho para sa mga apo ko. Dito din ako pinakilala ng mga magulang ko,  eto na din ang kinagisnan ng mga bata." The old man has been collecting scraps since his youth and until now at the age of 56. Society has been degrading those who are in these miuntains are struggling to keep theirselves alive. 12-year old Pepe told me that he had no money to go to school, the Himalayan-like mountains have been his playground and work ground. These people plead of one thing, that is to have a decent job; to support their  families. Having witnessed how they risk their lives, dancing in the steep sides to collect scraps. Trying to live up with the awful stench of garbage around them, it's common knowledge to have been awareof this but, steps haven't been taken.

Unemployment leads to poverty and people would do anything to survive and as for you? It's up to your choice. You make your future and theirs.