Standing Tall (50 Minutes)
Documentary - Post Production

Manila is a city of stark contrasts; abject poverty and obscene opulence live side by side. Death and disease stalk the under-classes whilst the rich and elite enjoy their privileged positions.

Violence is of a very personal nature, erupting at a moments notice fuelled by jealousy, greed and desperation.
A country where those who are lucky enough to have a relative working aboard sending money back, do not have to deal with the everyday struggle to survive.

Yet Renato a young man, severely handicapped from birth works six days a week selling Sweepstake tickets in MacDonald’s in order to help his family put his siblings through school.

Leaving in one of the hundreds of squatter areas in Manila, he shares a wood and tin house the size of most people's garage with 7 other members of his family.

One might think that Renato is a downtrodden soul, but he is, despite his handicap a cool dude who’s got attitude! He doesn’t let his handicap stop him from living.

He ‘Stands Tall’ in a country where begging is commonplace.

This is Renato's story.