Manila is a Joke is a visual satire capturing the contradictions, chaos, and dark humor embedded in the everyday life of Metro Manila. This series juxtaposes scenes of urban struggles—traffic, overcrowding, makeshift livelihoods—with elements of absurdity and play, using humor not as a form of escape but as a lens for critique.

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The works reflect the paradox of a city where resilience is often romanticized, even when survival feels like a punchline. Clowns, AR elements, and surreal imagery amplify the spectacle, echoing how the vibrant, noisy surface of Manila often masks deeper social tensions. The humor here isn't lighthearted—it reveals the discomfort of normalized struggles, where the absurdity becomes the reality.

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Through the merging of digital interventions with photographic storytelling, Manila is a Joke questions what it means to find joy in the midst of dysfunction. It highlights how humor, while a coping mechanism, can also be a powerful tool for reflection—reminding us that sometimes, the joke is on the system itself.