michael rose - Manila

Manila

In 2016 I spent several months in Manila working on an animated series—an assignment that doubled as both a professional deep dive and a cultural initiation. Despite having traveled widely across Southeast Asia, it was my first time in the Philippines, and I arrived with the curiosity of a seasoned traveler who still knows when they’re out of their depth.

The project was set in Tondo, a densely populated bayside district known as much for its energy as its complexity. As art director, my brief extended beyond the studio: I was tasked with walking the neighborhood, camera in hand, gathering visual references to ground the animation in something authentic. In other words, less imagination, more observation—though Tondo hardly needed embellishment.

Quezon City

Tondo

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate

Tondo

Marikina

Quezon City

jeepney

Jeepney

Cabao

Quezon City

Cabao

Makati