Sonrisa de los Ninos

Another image here of some kids residing at Barangay Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. I caught them bathing at the downstream portion of Sibulan River in Astorga portion.

Highland Carriers

Locally called "Karyada", this is a transportation method employed by residents of Colan, Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur in transporting agricultural products to the Barrio Center.  I took this photo in one of my climbs to Mt. Apo using the Sta. Cruz Trail. Sitio Colan is the jump off point to Mt. Apo and is inhabited by the Bagobo tribe. "Karyada" operators are also members of the Mt. Apo Porter Association. 

Hagdaw

I took this photo in Bansalan, Davao del Sur; a very popular rice-producing town in the province. In my effort to take a good photo with a farmer and rice as subjects, I chanced upon this old woman doing her own harvest of rice residues, a practice called "hagdaw". This photo explains how abundant Bansalan is in terms of agriculture, while the old woman's gesture speaks about it's people's hardwork. 

In Sharp Focus

This photo was taken in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur during a live comedy show in time for the town's anniversary celebration.  In rural areas where nightly entertainment seldom happens, children are the best audience for a comedy entertainment show such as this one. 

Silip

It took me several clicks before I got the smiles that I wanted from these kids. This is perhaps the best angle that I could get, and to add drama to the picture, I added several light enhancement through photoshop. This was taken last September 2013 at sitio Loay, Sta. Cruz.

Catchers Caught Up

I saw these children in one of the resorts in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and found it very interesting to photograph as they tried to catch fishes in the sea, without knowing that I was right beside them trying to capture their moment.

Badjao Kid

I took this photo during my visit to the Badjao community in Sta. Cruz. This kid is one of of my new-found friends and somehow allowed me to keep coming back to their place. Badjaos are true epitome of simplicity, kindness and survival, that's why they don't mind being regarded to as "street people". Get to know them and I'm sure you will not regret it.  

Buyok

In a recent climb to one of Sta. Cruz's mountainous barangays, I met these girls cooking rice using the traditional method called "Buyok". This practice is applied whenever there are big occasions in the barrio such as weddings, birthdays, baptism and the likes. It is also familiar during lusong or bayanihan where a collective voluntary labor is provided by majority of the barrio folks for a specific purpose.  

Cebulan Kids

I saw these kids while I was documenting a tree planting activity of the San Miguel Brewery in Darong, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. They resided just beside Sibulan River which they consider part of their daily lives. The river, according to them, plays an important role as they eek out a living from it. From washing, fishing, bathing etc., Sibulan River has formed part of Sta. Cruz's natural wonders. Indeed, this river is home to happy children. 

The Fisher Folk

This photo was taken at Ceboley Beach, Zone 3, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Ceboley Beach has been identified as one of the rich fishing grounds of Sta. Cruz. Situated within the Davao Gulf, the shores of Sta. Cruz is also the longest coastal stretch of the entire Province of Davao del Sur. THE FISHER FOLK will be the maiden post of this blog. It shows a fisher man waving its "traya" with the hope to catch fish for breakfast to be presented to his family waiting at home.