Navotas, a City Like No Other in Metro Manila

Navotas is located along the fringes of the north of Metro Manila. Its elongated land area lines the Manila Bay on one side. It is dubbed the "Fishing Capital of the Philippines" since many of its residents derive their livelihood directly or indirectly from fishing and related industries.

The city boasts a modern container port, city hospital, and city hall. Businesses, modern warehouses, container terminals, and container parks dot the area. Unlike bustling cities with towering buildings in the Metro, Navotas, with its roadside stores and commuters on bicycles and decorated tricycles, has a character and charm uniquely its own.

That said, however, what left a lasting impression on me is the residents living in extreme poverty. Poverty encompasses age, sex, and physical appearance. In Metro Manila, the urban poor live in idle or neglected property (both private and public), streets, embankments, and under bridges. They are referred to as informal settlers or squatters. Normally, I'm used to the nicer side of the Metro, even if I do see these communities behind a car's windshield. Seeing them up close and really observing, even for a moment, however, can still put one in silent disbelief.

Here’s an impromptu shoot of what I’ve witnessed during a trip to the area for a meeting. It was a dreary overcast day.​​​​​​​

Many of the land areas are covered by water.