Manila Lights

by Low Bandwidth Dreams

Manila is a city defined by contradictions—a capital that dazzles with relentless neon and commercial glow, yet frequently hides its deepest struggles in the shadows.

This project invites artists to engage with Lino Brocka’s seminal film, Manila: In the Claws of Light (Manila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag), using its stark portrayal of urban life as a lens to explore the city's complex layers of past, present, and future.

By examining Manila through the perspectives of four artists, the project reveals how the city’s artificial brilliance often serves as a backdrop to its most profound human experiences:

• Rhaz Oriente explores the streets of Poblacion, Makati, through modular light boxes, juxtaposing the district’s vibrant nightlife with the darker realities of exploitation featured in the film.

• Roan Alvarez creates DIY light signage inspired by the streets of Ongpin and Binondo, as well as the resourceful, survivalist tech culture of Recto, while drawing on the haunting cultural legacy of the fictional Chua Tek Trading Company to examine the city’s history of exploitation.

• Christina Lopez draws inspiration from the towering EDSA billboards, specifically around the Guadalupe area. She will create generative videos that highlight the overwhelming saturation of commercial light and advertising.

• Shara Francisco crafts a video installation inspired by the storied, complex streets of Escolta, connecting historical memory with the contemporary urban experience.