One would think that telling stories is an easy thing. As a photographer,it is not always easy. I know that context is also important in telling the story. It also matters what stories you want to tell.
Last year in December 2009, friends and I went to an island near Coron, Palawan for a break. I had heard also that the Tagbanua people lived nearby. After snorkeling and generally just taking it easy, I asked to go with Mina, the non-Tagbanua lady who was teaching the Tagbanua community LITNUM (Literacy and Numerals). She and her husband brought a friend and myself on a banca to the nearest Tagbanua community. After meeting with the children and their parents, I realized how dire the situation was for them. They were constantly cheated by lowlanders when they tried to sell their fish catch or some other products they had because they could not count.They were discriminated against like many of the indigenous communities around the Philippines because they were dark, had kinky hair, and were so extremely shy around other people. I took pictures and asked their names. It seemed it was all I could do at that time. When we left, I thought about it and then had a chance to talk about it with someone I met in Coron who was running a tour guiding company. He said to me that the Tagbanuas should just be left alone. I thought hard about that and I dont think I agree.One day with the Tagbanua was not enough for me to be able to say what is going on with them in their community. Did they want to tell me their stories? What were their stories? I still think about them and what education can do for their survival. 
Mangrove (bakawan) roots serve as platform for these Tagbanua teenagers near Coron, Palawan.
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