While this picture illustrates the concept of motherhood, the depth in her young daughter's eyes communicates a sense of self-confidence, wisdom and maturity, offering a contradictory interpretation about children's role in Nepal.

The black shade of her eyes is called Kohl, and most mothers use it in their infant's eyes, soon after birth, as cosmetics and to prevent them from being cursed by the evil eye.

Kathmandu, Nepal.

More than one million colorfully painted and bloodlessly pierced believers walk from KL´s city center, to Batu Cave´s temple, during Thaipusam. This religious festival is the time for Hindus, of all castes and cultures, to thank Lord Murugan, son of Shiva, for having defeated the Azuras.

Most extreme devotees carry fruits and milk for the Gods, under spiritual and devotional trance, which brings them closer to their Lord

 Batu Caves - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Working tough at the streets to help their families, these ageless kids extend their hands begging for a greater purpose... hoping to be seen and feel real.

Kathmandu, Nepal.

Old lady sheltering from the freezing temperatures of the Himalayas. Extreme weather dries and cracks her skin, precluding the use of time as a reliable measure to guess her age.

Manang, Annapurna´s Circuit, Nepal.

Blessed by living with a Philippine family, infants play around the house, and invite me to be part of their game.

El Nido, Palawan Island, Philippines.

Friendly old woman making fun of me, when she realized that I was trying to portrait her. By placing both hands right in front of her eyes, as wearing some kind of binoculars, we communicate speechlessly through the lens.

Manang (3.540mts alt.), Annapurna Circuit, Nepal.

High in the Himalayas, young girl awaits for school to start. Outside temperature slightly exceeds zero, but her will to pursue a different future keeps her warm inside.

Manang (3.540mts altitude), Annapurna´s Circuit, Nepal.

As many wrinkles, as stories to be told, this aged man stared at the camera, right before smiling gently after seeing his own image.

Yangshuo, China.

Once I heard that eyes are supposed to be the window to the soul. Not many studies can prove this yet, but for sure she has something to tell us, wordlessly.

Maybe It's better not to give more details, but just leave each of you to hear her story, in the way she wants to share it with you, in private.

Bakkot Village, Cambodia.

Hindu monk who follows the path of penance and austerity to attain enlightenment. The sadhu tradition is to renounce all ties that bind them to the earthly or material on the search for the true values of life. They mimic Shiva's mythological life, master of all ascetics - search of purifying the spirit, by denying material pleasures and human pain.

They carry a symbolic trident and three stripes are painted on his forehead, to represent the three aspects of Shiva, in his quest to destroy the three impurities: selfishness, desire and action maya. They wear saffron color robes, signifying that have been blessed with fertile blood of Parvati, spouse of Shiva. They spend most of their time in meditation.

Kathmandu, Nepal.

One image, two different stories.

This children's hard land-work portrait, even during school break time, may hide dark times of the Cambodian history. A story of genocide.

Not far from today, Pol Pot - cambodian revolutionary and leader of the Khmer Rouge - set up an army, under a radical form of agrarian socialism, killing three, out of eight million, innocent people. Knives, hammers, sticks, even spiny plants, became elements to give death... a bullet was a privilege just for few.

A story that must be told, never to be forgotten.

Bakkot village, Cambodia.

Brothers must remain together, 
Cause that's the first law. 
Be true union, 
at any time, whatsoever. 
Because if they fight amongst themselves,
outsiders may devour them.

   -  José Hernández. "Martin Fierro", 1872. Argentina

Pokhara, Nepal.

These 108 symbolic hands gestures are used in Hindu and Buddhist rituals and dances.

In Buddhism, mudras are associated with spiritual and energetic Buddha's poses, and how the hand is held can represent different meanings.

Jnana Mudra (lower hand of the picture), sign of knowledge, peace and meditation. The circle formed allows the energy to re-circulate from the heart center out to the fingers and back.

Kartarimukha (upper hand), represent the scissors, with different meanings.

Kathmandu, Nepal.

Naked children, dressed up with innocence, play under the daily suffocating sun of the thousands Philippine islands.

Soon after school, fenceless backyards invite young neighbours to play. Slopes become mountains; fresh huge water baskets, lakes; balconies, bridges; and every encounter, a new adventure ruled only by imagination. 

But if nudity is what still surprises you, you should see beyond. Regardless of their age, Philippines will share their uncovered beauty and happiness to everyone who can see right into their eyes.

El Nido, Palawan island, Philippines.