THROWBACK: Artist’s trash-filled Manila walkway photo asks: Is it still the same five years later?

Buds Convocar called it an “accidental conceptual art installation”

A walkway near an LRT station in Manila was once so covered in plastic bottles, styrofoam, and other trash that it was difficult to imagine people using it.

Artist Buds Convocar resurfaced the photo on Facebook on Sept. 11, captioning it, “Look!!! ACCIDENTAL CONCEPTUAL ART INSTALLATION w/ PUBLIC PARTICIPATION!!! As viewed from a Manila LRT Station…”

“CLASSIC ARCHITECTURE + HUMAN DISCARDS ACCUMULATION = ART, ART, ART!!! BRAVO!!!” he added.

In the comments, Convocar clarified that the photo was taken more than five years ago.

“Matagal ko nang shot yan, more than 5 years na for sure!!!” he wrote in response to a commenter, adding that he would try to check the area the next time he is in Manila and takes the LRT.

The Philippines continues to deal with a massive waste problem. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the country generated an estimated 60.76 thousand tons of waste per day in 2025, up 0.9% from the previous year.

If and when Convocar takes the LRT again, perhaps the real test is waiting on that same walkway: what does it look like now?

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