Smoke Signals
2023 - ongoingWhat truths does each day hold,
for those who dwell where smoke unfolds?
In close proximity, how do they fare,
Amidst veils of haze, what burdens do they bear?
Kaingin has been traditionally employed by communities for subsistence farming. Its extensive use and improper management have led to environmental concerns.
One of the primary contributors to pollution in Manila stems from vehicle emissions.
Waste burning is a common practice in Filipino households especially in areas without proper waste management systems.
In the slums of Catmon, a community earns its living from the charcoal industry. Families for generations have lived in these conditions transforming scraps into charcoal from makeshift earth pits.
Manila’s skyline is consistently veiled by haze.
Even with existing policies regarding burning, it remains common in both rural and urban areas.
In Valenzuela City, inhabitants attribute pungent odors and respiratory ailments to melted plastics from recycling factories.
Smoke Signals
2023 - ongoingSmoke Signals delves into the everyday realities of individuals who live in close proximity to pervasive smoke, documenting its profound impact on their health, well-being, and the immediate and enduring consequences they face as a result of this environmental hazard. In a broader context, the rapid effects of smoke offer a symbolic representation of climate change. Much like the impact of smoke on air quality and visibility, climate change manifests in rapid alterations to global weather patterns, ecosystems, and human societies. The visible and tangible consequences of smoke, such as respiratory issues and environmental degradation, mirror the observable impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss.