Art of Recto

In a notorious street in Manila characterised by forgery and petty crimes, an artist revels in the chaos that shapes what he calls home. Having been around Recto for most of his life, Levy is shaped by the culture, and in turn, his work is derived from it. In his humble workspace at the heart of the Central Market, he thrives with the help of his wife who facilitates the transactions between him and clients. For Levy, what matters is the kind of legacy he leaves: to be remembered not by his clients or his peers, but by the grandkids he spends time with – so that he can hang a portrait that can never be replicated.