Maid-Turned-Photographer in ‘BBC 100 Women of 2015’ list
MANILA – Xyza Cruz Bacani, a former domestic helper in Hong Kong whose photography skills earned her the prestigious Magnum Foundation fellowship, received another global recognition.
Bacani is included in the 100 Women of 2015 list of UK-based broadcast company BBC.
In 2006, when she was 19, Bacani dropped out of college and moved to Hong Kong to join her mother and work as a nanny for a well-off Chinese-Australian family.
In her spare time, she explored the streets of Hong Kong with a camera she bought, thanks to a loan from her employer.
Bacani received much attention after the New York Times did a feature on her street photography on its Lens Blog.
In January, she was named a Human Rights fellow by the prestigious Magnum Foundation, where she participated in an intensive, six-week program at New York University (NYU) in New York City.
READ: Pinay domestic helper gets prestigious fellowship in NYC
In a Facebook post, Bacani said she is honored to be one of the BBC 100 Women of 2015. She also thanked her parents who have always inspired her.
The BBC 100 Women list features the most inspirational women in the world.
For its 2015 list , the British media outlet focused on “octogenarians sharing life lessons; ‘good girl’ film-makers discussing expectations; nursing; five high-profile women; and ’30 under 30′ entrepreneurs.”