In a country where over 8 million are food-poor, food scavenging has sadly become a norm for many families.
Others call it trash, but for them, it’s their “meal of the day.”
Sautéed with a bit of oil, garlic, and a choice between patis or toyo, are various parts of fried chicken. However, what remains of the chicken are mostly just bones.
In the Philippines, these recycled meals are called “pagpag,” which roughly translates to “dusted off food.” Families scour dumpsites for what appears to be “still edible.”
The sound of garbage trucks, carrying leftovers from fast food chains, signals meal time.
Families clean the leftover food by dusting it off (pagpagin). To be extra sure, others wash the leftovers before boiling or frying – modifying someone’s dinner leftovers into someone else’s breakfast.
Pagpag is also a business. Some food scavengers sell their pagpag, sometimes giving discounts to neighbors and patrons.
Health professionals warn against the dangers of eating pagpag. They are at risk of getting salmonella and other illnesses. Eating nothing but pagpag can be detrimental to children’s health for they are not getting the nutrients needed for proper growth and development.
Despite these warnings, some families say they have no other choice. It’s either pagpag or nothing at all.

THIS IS A VIDEO THESIS PASSED AS A REQUIREMENT FOR FI102: FILIPINO SA IBA'T IBANG DISIPLINA