Tuberculosis Ward of San Lazaro Hospital Manila, Philippines. By Melchizedek Maquiso

When I moved to Canada four years ago, the only obvious reason that I could think of why I left the Philippines, a third-world country, is because of the opportunity of what the first world can offer. And with that comes the chance to leave behind what might be perceived as inconveniences here – simple, overlooked things back home such as long lines in a fast food counter and standing room only in trains and buses for the whole duration of your trip.

So when I came back, it should have been a vacation. It should have been a pattern like most Filipino-Canadians do – work hard, earn money and use their hard-earned Canadian dollars to have a well-deserved vacation and to be able to visit their families. I did the same, however, as an added bonus, I went to explore the things I’ve overlooked growing up there.

In the three days I’ve visited the hospital, I toured the children’s ward where they are treating children for dengue fever. I visited the adult ward where various illnesses can be found & in my last day, I took pictures of the tuberculosis ward.