Manila

I arrived in Manila in 2016 to gather reference material for an anime series I was art directing, which was set in a neighborhood along Manila Bay known as Tondo. I was escorted to this densely populated district, and at first, it echoed the familiar sights and sounds of other under-resourced communities I had visited around the world—lively streets, the layered scent of sea air and city life, vibrant shanties painted in primary colors, and children weaving through the alleys in patched clothes and worn flip-flops.What quickly set Tondo apart was the remarkable intensity with which its children approached play. Basketball, in particular, was more than a pastime—it was a passion. Their focus, seriousness, and joy on the court left a lasting impression.

This series is an attempt to capture the raw, rhythmic energy of Manila through its people—their games, their friendships, and the vivid world they move through every day.

Tondo

jeepney

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