Coming from a series of photo walks and coverages, Emman Capones’s photo essay, entitled “Piling Plights,” depicts the enormous and continuing struggles of the Filipino masses. From the detrimental effects of skyrocketing inflation to the social polarization tantamount to political turmoil, the people have always been on the receiving end of suffering due to causes not within their control. In turn, the photo essay showcases the hardships of the citizens while enduring the plights that persistently plague their daily lives.
The photo essay made its way to the finals of the Philippine Journalism Research Conference 2023 - Photo Essay category. It was presented to jury members comprising media practitioners from the Photojournalists Center of the Philippines and ABS-CBN on May 5, 2023, at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
PILING PLIGHTS
Over a decade ago, the Philippines began to take pride in its status as a euphoric haven with the catchphrase, "It's more fun in the Philippines!" Evidently, the mesmerizing fortitude of Filipinos to withstand and smile amidst hardships has been a long-standing cultural identity pillar. However, at the core of this tenacity are pervasive malaises that persistently burden the masses to this day.
Recently, as the country started to recover from the heavy blows dealt by the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, drastic changes occurred—unleashing a disastrous storm that has relentlessly ravaged the population ever since.
Now, more than ever, the world-renowned Filipino resiliency is being put to the test through the unseemly, unending onslaught of adversities that continue to pile up and plague the lives of millions of Juans and Marias.
BARGAINING SPREE | Amidst increasing prices due to inflation and demand, shoppers flood Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, Manila, in search of budget-friendly Christmas gifts, December 18, 2022.
Shallow pockets amidst skyrocketing prices
Since September 2022, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has recorded an upward and detrimental trend of inflation in the country, peaking at 8.7 percent in January 2023, the highest in 14 years. This economic phenomenon has caused drastic increments in price tags over major commodities such as food, transportation, and accommodation. In turn, inflation had tremendously unveiled socioeconomic shockwaves afflicting the welfare of millions of people.
Amid the continuing escalation of prices, workers' wages remained stagnant at the bare minimum, falling short of the market demands necessary to obtain a sustainable living. Left with shallow pockets, the persistent skyrocketing price hikes have stolen rice grains and bread crumbs from the tables of the Filipinos—affronting their right to live. All of this only exacerbates the chronic issue of poverty, including the yawning inequality gap among the social hierarchy.
HARD WORK | Despite the heat during high noon, a man continues to work by pushing off a trolley cart in Escolta Street, Manila, January 18, 2023.
INFLATING PRICES | Baguio City Public Market goers deal with a heavy blow to their pockets with the skyrocketing increase in prices of food commodities as inflation accelerated to 8.6 percent, February 5, 2023.
Stalling transportation landscape
Even before COVID-19 had set foot on Philippine shores, mobility across the bustling streets of economic centers had been an intricate puzzle waiting to be solved. However, only stopgap measures, such as the public utility vehicle modernization program, have been in place—only fanning the flames that burn the road to a better transportation system. In turn, the turtle-paced and futile actions only further stall the already ailing mass transit network. Yet again, the masses have been on the receiving end of the burdensome commuting crisis—compromising their lives to the hilt, such as sacrificing rest just to arrive at their destination in time.
TWO-SIDED CONGESTION | Amid congested traffic flow on Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City, commuters force themselves to cram into a small tricycle to reach their destination, October 9, 2022.
HANGING BY A THREAD | Passengers hang onto a jeepney’s ledge as public utility vehicles quickly fill up during the after-work rush hours on Marcos Highway, Antipolo, October 9, 2022.
Caging of press freedom
Journalism, as the bastion of truth, empowers the masses to have the voice and knowledge to make informed decisions and govern themselves. However, the discipline has suffered from state repression under the authoritarian rule of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte weaponized laws and threatened journalists to suppress them—undermining and tarnishing the freedom of the press. Now that another strongman has followed suit in the form of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the chilling effect remains, and the press is still under siege. As its truthful information stronghold is being slowly devoured, many Filipinos continue to traverse the social and political landscape unaware of contexts that could liberate the country from prolonged ill-governance—eventually attaining a better, inclusive, and mass-centric Philippines.
Different sectors of the University of the Philippines (UP) community gather at Quezon Hall, UP Diliman, to voice their demands amid the selection of the 22nd UP President, December 9, 2022.
Ghosts of Political Turmoil
Despite being restored over 30 years ago, democracy in the Philippines is facing an immense threat under the rule of a familiar, grim leader occupying the top seat in Malacañang. However, more concerning than the deterrent threats brought upon by the son of the late dictator is the persistent dark cloud of disinformation looming over the archipelago, exacerbating the dire polarization within the democratic society.
In a world where the truth is like a diminishing candle flame, and false narratives are spreading like a widespread forest fire, journalism is persistently being threatened with being burned to ashes. This has paved the way for disinformation to haunt the masses' perspective of truth—fueling an injurious culture of prejudiced reality. In turn, the people have been entrapped in an echo chamber of deceitful and propaganda-driven information. This prevalent spread of lies, along with another Marcos calling the shots as the country's chief executive, haunts the social and political landscape to a downward spiral—leading to yet another period of political turmoil.
NEVER FORGETTING | Catholic clergy pay tribute to their fallen comrades who were victims of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s oppressive ruling, during the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law protest at the University of the Philippines Diliman, September 21, 2022.
HOLDING THE LINE | Religious activists march and voice their political opinions during the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law at the University of the Philippines Diliman, September 21, 2022.
Now, burdened with the dragging of a heavy pile of social, economic, and political woes, the masses have been crippled into a state of limbo—traversing a harrowing dark path leading to an uncertain future. However, it is about time to let the masses endure the stockpile of strenuous suffering. To firmly resist the whims of those who pawn above is to attain the long-overdue change that the Philippines deserves.
Multi-sectoral groups and human rights abuse survivors hold protests in several places in Metro Manila to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law, September 21, 2022.
Multi-sectoral groups and human rights abuse survivors hold protests in several places in Metro Manila to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law, September 21, 2022.
