Traditional Sugar Extractor

The late Nong Mario Eli of Barangay Tibolo, Sta.  Cruz, demonstrated to us during a familiarization tour a couple of years ago about how to extract juice from sugarcane plant. Showing some signs of creativity, he developed a manual extractor which his children and grandchildren still uses nowadays. Nong Mario was a good friend, a pure Bagobo-Tagabawa elder who had been helping us document some of the tribal practices of Bagobo-Tagabawa. The equipment he invented is part of the traditional simple machines of the dwellers in remote areas of Mt. Apo Natural Park. 

Into the Green and Blue

This is Tuban Bay, a spot in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur known for its being rich in marine diversity. The vast mangrove forest is being strictly preserved. Fisher folks have been enjoying daily catches for consumption and business. The area has form part of the long coastal stretch of Sta. Cruz and it is maximize not only for fishery but for eco-tourism purpose as well.

Scavengers

Members of Mt. Apo porters from Sibulan, Sta. Cruz are shown here carrying sacks of garbage collected from the summit of Mt. Apo via the boulders and sulfur vents of the volcano on June 11, 2014 as part of the simultaneous clean up drive as initiated by the Protected Area Management Board Ecotourism Committee.  

Highland Super Bike

Motorcycles are common transportation mode in remote places in the Philippines. This photo was taken in Tibolo, a barangay situated within the foothills of Mt. Apo. Residents in the area have been using this medium when transporting farm products and passengers. 

Ruralogy

I took this photo somewhere in General Santos City on May 18, 2014 when we were on our way home after attending the Sarangani Bay Festival. The common rural setting is spectacular while the rainbow also added some drama to this image. Indeed, rural life is peaceful and beautiful.  

Manual Alternates

This photo was taken in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, depicting town folks in struggle versus the present power shortage in majority of the places in Mindanao. With the crisis being felt today, firewood and trisikads can be alternative solutions to counter the problem, especially with oil and LPG prizes heavily increasing.      

Shell Fill

Farm laborers in Ayala Darong perform their daily routine of transporting coconut shell in a separate farm location for purposes of converting into charcoal. Charcoal manufacturing is one of the many farm activities where residents are doing as a main source of income.