The Diving Boys of Quezon Bridge

I believe I can fly

The old Quezon Bridge (built in the early 1930s) over the Pasig River section in Quiapo, Manila became the diving board for another batch of intrepid youngsters swimming in the polluted Pasig River. The daredevil boys are not contented just swimming and taking a bath in the Pasig. The need to show off for peer admiration and the combined excitement of an adrenaline rush are what makes some of them dive from the 40-foot high bridge--unto the polluted waters below. It makes for a fascinating sight--but yet something that is deeply disturbing.

Some of the boys are aged ten to seventeen and they admit ingesting the dirty waters every time they dive. I found some of them are already coughing blood--which may already be a sign of tuberculosis or even lead poisoning. And again no amount of health warnings can prevent these boys from enjoying the only game they can afford. Each of them take turns diving from the dizzying height amidst their peers' shouting, clapping, laughing, and coughing.

An Olympian somersault dive









A huge splash

The old Quezon Bridge in Quiapo, Manila Philippines

*This humble post of mine has recently been awarded one of the Top 10 Blog Posts for 2009 by the Philippine Blog Awards. Thank you for your support and encouragement.