Blind Beggar: Cebu Philippines

April 30, 2004: Cebu City, Philippines

A blind beggar approaches the taxi cab I'm riding in.

Initially I was startled as I heard a noise on the rear passenger window - but I immediately understood this man to be blind, and begging at the intersection...I wasn't startled anymore; I was touched.

I had my Olympus E10 SLR with me that entire day, and it was still on from previous shooting that day - so I quickly hit the power button & got two quick images of this poor man, who was very frail and missing his right eye.

He felt gently with his hands as I turned my window down to give him the food I had with me in my bag - I wanted to give him more, and then put some Pesos into his hands.

The light quickly turned green, and as we pulled away I heard him say softly 'Salamat...' ('thank you')

I never again saw him after that day, but I always remembered him.
...I remembered how terrible it is just to be poor - but even moreso to be blind and poor together.

PJAMES