The Road Report
Return to Navotas
January 31, 1999
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I went back to Navotas for a Sunday to celebrate Mass at the local Parish (in English, I have yet to master the Tagalog "NG" sound-- the dangers of growing up near "Longh Island") and to visit the families I stayed with back in October, 1998. A group of kids took me on a photography tour, warning we where the loose boards were as we walked along the stilt houses poised above Manila Bay and suggesting good pictures for me to take! People enjoyed having their pictures taken, especially the children. Showing them their photos at the back of the camera was especially amusing to them. Although the surroundings are "poor", you will see a great spirit in the eyes and smiles of these people. To live with them is also to share their heart and generosity too-- something that's a little difficulty to capture by camera. Though poor in many material things, these people are also rich in spirit and love.
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Here is a view of the homes built over Mania bay at Navotas. As you can see, one typhoon and they would all be wiped out. The bay is not particularly clean, as you will notice by the shoreline.
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Many of the inhabitants of Navotas were fishermen from the islands to the south of Luzon-- they brought their trade with them and continue to fish in Manila Bay.
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Another view of the shoreline. This is not a very healthful place to live-- out over the water affords a cool breeze and distance from the rotting trash.
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My guides brought me all the way out on the piers to this house with a great view of the bay. Rather than step to the edge of the platform I opted to try this artsy shot through the hanging laundry-- lest I go for an unexpected swim in the chocolate water!
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Many people, young and old, are employed as bicycle drivers in Navotas. One can eek by with the living but should one become sick or injured there is no security to help the family-- you live on daily wages. Child labor also prevents many young from gaining the education they need.
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The rooftops of the squatters area of Navotas-- note how close together the homes are in this area. Sanitation has improved but health problems remain, particularly in the rainy season when there is frequent flooding.
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Another view of the densely packed squatter's area-- this area is built on land.... you can even see the home I stayed in from here-- I was given my own room-- a truly generous act for a single home with two families. Of course I provided the entertainment like when I jumped after being hit by a flying cockroach (I thought it was a baseball!).
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Some of the children where I lived with my second family. Seeing a strange American was another source of curiosity for the young kids-- they loved to say "What's your name?" as I passed by and were astounded (and a bit shy) when I would stop and tell them and ask their names.
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Many people run small stores out of their homes. There is a lively penny economy in Navotas-- enough to manage day by day for many people but not enough to live securely-- adult working children and relatives help with that when necessary.
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One of the streets in Navotas-- the squatter's area is much more densely packed. Note the tricycles ready for riders. They are built for Philippino wide people so one American just about fills them-- I was always afraid that the driver would be suspended in the air once I got in!!!
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A family that came outside to pose for a picture.
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A young man posing for a picture. If folks saw my camera they often would ask to have a picture taken "for a memory". Most did not expect to see their pictures out the back of the camera and my little guides liked the surprise everyone got so much that after each picture they would shout "show him"!!!
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This young man was quite proud of the two hearts on his teeth. I'm not sure how he got them to stay there.
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A husband and wife watch the world go by on the streets of Navotas. People spend a large part of the time outside or looking out on the world-- very different from the suburbs where you rarely see anyone!!
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Some more young men (including the gentleman in the picture two rows above on the right)..... posing took a lot of time with this group-- they tried a few things and then gave me the signal to shoot when they were satisfied with the effect they had achieved!
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Another group of kids enjoying a chance to be photographed. I think the guy in the back is the reincarnation of Richard Nixon as he has the pose down just perfect!!! These kids cheered and giggled when they saw their own picture in the back of the camera.
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General Index of Travel Photographs
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