Happiness Beyond E-Gadgets

Here is another shot taken at Tibolo, this time I had the chance to commune with the kids of Tibolo Elementary School while they're having a break from their classroom. The kids there have been doing this kind of recreation because majority of them don't have the luxury to buy electronic gadgets like tablets, laptops and even cellular phones.     

Cabbage Invasion

A farmer is shown here busy harvesting his cabbage in sitio Marawer, Barangay Kapatagan in Digos City. These cabbages will then be transported to Davao City for retail purposes. As a main source of income in the mountainous part of Davao del Sur particularly in Kapatagan, Digos and Barangay Sibulan in Sta. Cruz, farming of high value vegetables is one of the most viable enterprises being employed by local residents. This photo was taken on July 22, 2014.  

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.