Children of Payatas Photo Gallery by Bobby Wong Jr. at pbase.com

Children of Payatas

The children of Payatas, they live in the slum areas surrounding the largest garbage dump in Metro Manila. They belong to families that are from "the poorest of the poor". They don't have running water in their homes. On the average each family share a single toilet with three other families. And they live under the shadow of an inescapable stench.

Looking at the photos, you can hardly tell their sorry plight. Like all children, they will peer into a stranger's camera, pose and laugh with gusto, oblivious to the uncertain future they all share. But the truth is that nutrition and sanitation in Payatas communities are so bad they are shocking. How long can you stand, much less eat, around your garbage can? These children have to live there. Now you know. (Please help. Contact me at bobby@wong.com.ph or SMS to +63-917-896-6976.)

comment |

fr. greg		25-Jul-2009 21:42
The eyes of a Christian must not only see and the heart must not only feel the pain of poverty, this is the proper time to make our Faith really Christian. Go on to challenge people to come out from the bondage of greediness!

GeneWard		31-Mar-2009 23:11
I like this gallery. The shots are so immediate.

Bartosz Kotulski		21-Feb-2009 01:13
fantastic series and very good idea. great work Bobby Bartosz

markllego		30-Jan-2009 11:49
Good Evening.. Can I get a permission to use the pictures of street children for our case presentation? Hoping for your kind consideration.. Thank You Very Much... Mark email: mllego11@yahoo.com

Lorie		27-Nov-2008 04:00
Actually, although I feel sad for the children, even those who live far away from the Payatas dumpsite, but living in equally poor conditions, I feel more sorry for those who clamor to govern our country. Let us grieve for those who promise food, education, medical services and employment for every household they court for a vote in favor of them. Let us grieve for their incompetence, selfishness and corruption. After all, these children have the Lord on their side. Who knows what is standing beside these low-life, high-class scum bags...

Marl Garcia		25-Jan-2008 03:47
Appreciation of pictures does not get anyone anywhere. What is important is something must be done to change the course of destiny for these children. How in the world this condition happened in the midst of affluent people whose lifestyles are comparable to kings and queen of this world. It's sad state to live a good life while others live in a life of monotonous misery. -

Fritzie Anne S. Jimenez, RN		11-Dec-2007 04:11
Your photos are moving! i never expected that a man can capture God's lowliest children, the way your eyes did! im borrowing your photos on my report on INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESS for my masteral class. Im currently working at Hospicio de San Jose, and indeed my children are luckier! thank you for sharing your giftedness to the world, indeed you change people's lives one life at a time!

Mats		26-Oct-2007 13:15
The pictures are perfect. Truth is, I see happy faces of children in general instead of appearances that clearly show their plight in Payatas. These images are common in high-density areas but knowing that they live around a dumpsite makes me feel really sorry for them. This is their reality and they can't do anything about it, not even their parents... I surely hope I have the means to help now... Maybe later, hopefully sooner....

Guest		16-May-2007 21:43
Bobby, Thanks for the emphatic pictures. I thought that you and your audience might apreciate this independent documentary on the Payatas and the plight of those that live there. The film can be found here: http://www.vbs.tv/player.php?bctid=894534518&bccl=MTQ0MTg4N19fVE9EQVk=

RinoTan		30-Aug-2006 17:07
Hi Bobby! I hope you don't mind but I chose #3 & #4 because these two images tell us you actually "go-in" and not only smell the stinky odors BUT also enjoyed their company. You caught actual sense as your eyes see it and even those 3 flies on the boy arm and legs have no chance to get away. I really mean "sense" and not scene because you've actually experienced it, saw them with your own eyes and cameras, hearing them, touch, smell, taste, and most especially you've the special feeling in your heart. If you're wearing doctor's mask with an ultra modern x-ray camera machine - the children really thanks you - even the smallest of them all are exposed to that condition or trained to look for coins. Next time don't just put your gargage BUT also put some coins in the gargage cans and only God knows that they can find it. Believe me that boy on image #3 found 2 fancy rings and he is happy for now. Great pictures! Ciao!

Mama Pels		18-Aug-2006 10:22
Dear Bobby, used to seeing the beauty of nature through your lens, with this insight into the harsh existence of innocent, beautiful children I have been touched deeply. Yes, we should all be ashamed that such misery is allowed to exist in today's world. God bless your call for help! Yours Mama Pels.

Joseph Uy		17-Aug-2006 23:52
Bob, as usual...drooling all over your leica lens. very sharp and nice DOF. Voted.

thea		10-Aug-2006 12:00
uhm.http://www.pbase.com/bobbyw/image/64630823 :D

thea		10-Aug-2006 11:59
I love this one A LOT.

Manuel Libres Librodo Jr.		05-Aug-2006 03:12
Great works Bobby. I am not surprised though. You're the quietest among the 3 of us but your pictures speak the loudest.

thea		04-Aug-2006 23:38
Hi, uncle bobby! i was very excited to see your pictures and as usual they are very very good! I love this set, every picture is perfect. I'm impressed with the quality of color here, how'd you get their skin tones so right? i like that these portraits actually say something - thanks for sharing this!

Guest		04-Aug-2006 13:21
Excellent set of images, Bobby. I like the last image the most :-) V

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