Xyza Cruz Bacani, a Filipina domestic worker-turned-street photographer, shared on Wednesday that has been included in the list of the BBC 100 Women of 2015.
“Very Honored to be one of the BBC 100 Women of 2015 from all corners of the world. Thank you so much Sarah Bukley and BBC. This is awesome! Yey! #100Women #MagnumFoundation #BBC #Pinay #Ofw Thanks to my Ma and Pa who always inspire me!” the 28 year old enthused on her Facebook account.
Bacani started working as a maid in Hong Kong at the age of 19 with her mother. To unwind, she began taking casual pictures which evolved into dramatic street photographs that gave a raw look into the lives of people from diverse backgrounds.
READ: ‘I don’t feel like an OFW, just a girl with a camera’ shooting HK’s street life | Xyza Bacani’s HK journey passed through SF
She is known for her remarkable black-and-white photos which have been featured in several international news sites, such as CNN and The New York Times.
“Having worked as a domestic worker in Hong Kong for almost a decade, Xyza tells the stories of the victims of human rights violations through photography,” BBC describes the Filipina on its website.
The BBC 100 Women of 2015 is a list “of the most inspirational women across the world” named by the British media outlet. The list features “30 entrepreneurs under the age of 30 and inspiring women over the age of 80,” as well as “nurses on the front line, young female film-makers documenting the pressures and expectations in their community and leaders in science, politics, education and the arts.”