Malapascua Fight Club
Waiting For The Ring.
A cockfight referee smokes in one corner of the arena as he wait for the next match to begin.
She Sells Sea Shells
Another day in the office.
I wish I was able to ask them questions. I want to know if they still go to school. If their parents send them to sell shells. If they like what they are doing. Local island life is not easy. Behind the beauty of the resorts are communities of locals trying to make it day by day. There is a gargantuan contrast to what the island offers to travelers with what the locals have to live with.
She Sells Sea Shells
Barefoot Entrepreneurs
Without footwear on these girls comb the beach for travelers who will show interest in what they are selling. Promised by a tourist they went to the resort asking if the guest is in the property. They did not make a sale that day. The guest was out. With their playful spirit they walked away, giggling as I took some more shots.
She Sells Sea Shells
Resting House
This afternoon we were visited by innocent familiar faces. They walk on the beach all day trying to make a living out of a few non living things. I see them talking to travelers often laughing even if the latter are not buying their merchandise. This is one of their products.
Bottoms Up
Stainless Harmony
It has been rainy in a couple of days and the tsunami warning after the devastating earthquake in Japan has not helped the gloomy mood in Malapascua. My sympathies and hope for a fast recovery goes to the people of the land of the rising sun.
Dock it in Dakit-dakit
Sunset Spotlights
The sun’s last hurrah is always magical. Here Dakit-dakit islets are highlighted by the rays of the sun sifted by the afternoon clouds.
Reachable Stars
Inedible Bounty
Bounty beach is littered with starfishes and the notorious sea urchins. You only have to swim a couple of meters into the sea to sea them. I always remind people to mind their feet as we have had a few casualties in the resort. The starfishes on the other hand are harmless, except for the crown of thorns which has corals on top of their diet, are there to be visually appreciated.
I wondered what this boy was going to do with the star fishes. I have not seen anybody eating them and I have not seen anyone drying them for ornamental purposes. I guess it will be my Star Quest.
Low Tide Rebels
Up in The Air
These kids are doing whatever it takes to catch fishes. Torpedoes underwater and bombs from the air, the earth friendly kind.
Low Tide Rebel
Fishing With Rocks
With the retreat of the tide
a hunter arms himself with rocks.
The catch will not be plenty
but it will fill a family’s empty tummy.
In an island stricken with poverty,
fingerlings are priced bounty.
Fishing for Dinner
Race to nourishment.
There are times when you see things and you think they are ordinary, however upon closer inspection you realize there’s more to them than what meets the eye.
I went to the beach this afternoon and saw 4 kids swimming. I thought they were just kids frolicking in the water. I was almost going to ignore then and walk to other way to look for better scenes to frame. When I gave them a second look I realized they were fishing in shallow water. A net was laid on the water effortlessly carried by rubber from old flip flops. From the other side of the beach these kids lure the fishes that they see with their goggles and masks by disturbing the water making big movements. Upon realizing this I sat on the beach between them and the net and waited for the right moment. As they made their move, I started snapping. Somewhere in between this image was captured.
Photo walking is good. But sometimes you just have to sit and open your eyes.
Please note that my lack of updates are brought about by internet service interruption. Yes, that was 2 weeks of real island life. It would have been complete had the power failed. We can now again say ahh…Malapascua.