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