Albino

A pure Manobo albino child from the countryside of Surigao del Sur.

Labor of Love

Datu Lando and Ging-ging Anlagan, a couple, both Mamanwa leaders, making bracelets while they were at the evacuation center in Brgy. Bangayan, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

They evacuated from their home in Zapanta Valley in Kitcharao last November 5, 2012 because of military operations in their community. Days after they evacuated, they went home only to be greeted by military personnel in their community.

Ginging is here in Manila as part of Mindanao's Manilakbayan, to demand respect for indigenous people's rights and immediate halt of large-scale mining operations in Mindanao.

Photo is a frame capture from a video I took last November 21, 2012.

Morning in Banaue

Early morning in Banaue, Ifugao. View from the People's Restaurant and Inn. This photo was taken last October 2012.

Kalesa Maker

Francisco Barbac, Jr, 77 years old, has been making kalesa (chariot) since he was 14 years old when his father taught him. He is the last kalesa maker in Brgy. Duljo, Cebu City. He can make a kalesa in one and a half month and sells them for P32,000 and P40,000 if the materials used is bronze. The volume of kalesa he makes in a year would depend on the orders he get. In more than 60 years of making kalesa, Tatay Francisco continues to live modestly.

In Brgy. Duljo, a kalesa ride costs P3 per person while in Carbon to Taboan, markets in Cebu, the ride costs P10 per head.

Tatay Francisco's children are all professionals, some are engineers, and no one will inherit his livelihood.

Tatay Francisco shows a kalesa wheel he repaired

He demonstrates how he makes a kalesa wheel

Sherwin Calong: Salute to a Hero

I met Sherwin last year when we frequented Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City while we were making the film Barikada and documenting their struggle against demolition. I wasn't able to get to know him well but whenever we go to Corazon de Jesus, he always greeted us with a smile, asked if we already ate, offer a cup of coffee and ask for a cigarette stick. 

After the demolition in Corazon de Jesus last January 25, 2011, I always saw him in front of the barricades whenever there's a demolition threat in their community.

Barely six months ago, he decided to join the New People's Army (NPA) because he believed that whatever defense he does in front of the barricades in their community, whether they win or lose in their struggle, the root causes of demolitions in different communities will still persist unless the system will be changed through armed revolution. He left his comfort zone and chose to live a life full of sacrifices as a revolutionary serving the broad masses in the countrysides.

Sherwin, a true hero of the people! His life will never be put to waste. We will live to see the fulfillment of the struggle for a better society, and if we work harder, that would be in a few years.

The photos below are during the tribute for Sherwin and funeral last July 15, 2012.

Magsasaka

The short time we lived and worked with farmers in Calaca and Lemery, Batangas, gave me a deeper understanding of the situation and struggle of farmers.  It strengthened my resolve to join their struggle to free themselves from the backward feudal system in the countrysides.

Rare times it'll get printed

They got printed on tarp.

Lost Home

The rotten system steals their home, their future. Will we just stand by and wait until there's nothing more left for them?

October 2011. During the demolition at Nuebe de Pebrero, Mandaluyong City