Inspiration for Project RICE

Rosa is the inspiration behind Project RICE - while photographing local folk in Manila, I found that some of the most expressive were the street kids, and I remember seeing Rosa’s Family from time to time, in late 2003 & early 2004.

It deeply affected me when I saw Rosa & Edison sleeping on the street in Jan. 2005, and I began taking them with me to occasional meals when I would see them while I was out & about.

In the image below, Rosa would take her breakfast on the sidewalk where she slept - that black plank of wood she’s sitting on was her bed.