The Philippines, and especially it’s capital Manila, have witnessed an unprecedented population explosion  in recent years. There are unfortunately too few resources to support the ever-growing population. In the poor neighborhoods of the city, the unemployment rate is sky high and the infrastructure enormously poor. Forced by these circumstances, different families live together in small improvised houses.

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One of these areas in Manila is Barangay 803, where I spent a few weeks. Barangay is the philippine word for neighborhood.  Local families welcomed me in their living space. Some sheets in the corner of their small room would be my bed for one night. For a brief moment I was part of the intimate contacts that take place behind closed doors.

 

"Barangay" is an exploration on how people find joy, peace and quietness in an otherwhise claustrophobic and overpopulated area. It is this contrast that is the focus point of this photo documentary

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Pieter J. Meuwissen, 2019