I captured this beautiful child from an indigenous community called Panay Bukidnon in the remote Barangay San Agustin in Valderrama, Province of Antique. She was cradling two baby monkeys by the window.

The small town is so remote, we had to traverse on motorcyles to a narrow winding path uphill, overlooking breathtaking rivers and rice terraces before descending down a valley where the town is nestled peacefully in Mother Nature’s bosoms.

The long, picturesque ride was worth meeting the gentle locals who are more than willing to share their traditional ways and culture, and offering delicious native delicacies.

My portraits and landscapes are part of my travel journey in documenting for a series of coffee table books about the hundred and ten tribes of the Philippines, a project and legacy initiated by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) Chairperson Allen Arat Capuyan.

The National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) is an agency of the government tasked to formulate and implement programs and policies for the indigenous people, with a primary concern on protecting ancestral domains, beliefs, customs, and traditions.

October is the National Indigenous Peoples month, a celebration which aims to support and raise awareness of our indigenous cultural communities.

Below are screen shots from my cellphone video clips, to give you an idea of how much effort it takes to get there. 🙂