My first travel to Myanmar a few years ago was rather serendipitous. I had felt this urgency to go back to my Southeast Asian roots, and had a window of a few months to explore. As I was searching online randomly, images of the ancient city of Bagan came onto the screen. Visually, I was intrigued by the beauty instantly, and as I continued researching, I began to appreciate and comprehend the country known as Burma. Complex in history, and amidst all the controversy surrounding its past and present, I still felt a calling. Fast forward to my recent travels there, and the Cause & Effect exhibition, I am proud to have the privilege of showcasing photos and tales from various parts of the country. What started from acting upon an instinct, and following through with my consciousness, I am pleased to share my personal experiences.

Layers of labor, fragile mountains of hope. Yearly struggles, granules of predicament restored. Monsoons pound, Typhoons destroy. Faith reminds us, and circumstances move on. When the season blinks, re-sing the songs, of altered lives within uncertain structures. Photographed in Tondo, Manila Philippines, just days before Typhoon Ondoy struck. Once known as the "Kingdom of Tondo" it is one of the oldest and historic areas of country. The township also has the highest density of generational poverty in the capital city.

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