“In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught”
Late May 2015, I became a part of a group of nature and news photographers to capture images during a photo safari organized by Oceana Philippines. Each of us had our own styles and strengths ensuring we show different facets of the protected seascape, Tañon Strait. For six full days, traveling from Bantayan Islands of Northern Cebu to Dumaguete south of Negros Island, we visited beaches, island hopped, snorkeled, dived, strolled through historic towns, shopped at dry fish markets, went on a river cruise, walked on mangrove boardwalks, stayed a night at a reef station and chased dolphins in the wild. It was an exciting expedition where we were thankful for favorable weather conditions allowing us to easily capture the wonderful scenes during the trip. A set of carefully curated images were printed and became part of a travelling exhibit which includes the World Ocean’s Day exhibit in Libis and toured in parts of Cebu and Dumaguete. Half a year later, we got excited too hear that the planned coffee table book was already out, sooner than expected. The book “Images of Tañon Strait”, is like the culmination of this project.
The Cast
Completing the cast along with members from Oceana Philippines like Yas, Candeze and Danny, we had the pleasure of having Criselda Yabes, a freelance writer and journalist, join us through the trip. It is through her carefully crafted essays that enlivens the memorable and insightful moments of the expedition.
Putting everything together in a visually appealing form is book designer and layout artist, Jocas See.
Images of Tañon Strait Book
I was glad to finally have the book in my hands when we got word we can get a copy from the Oceana Philippines office. I was excited as the Images of Tañon Strait is officially my first book project where I have a significant amount of contribution and participation from the onset unlike having my work featured only as a stock photo in a book. I’m also aligned with the cause of the project which is to bring awareness and understanding of the importance of Tañon Strait. Echoing the the first quote from renowned conservationist, Baba Dioum, quoted by Oceana Philippines Vice President, Golly Ramos in the book. It is only through understanding we can truly appreciate and give substance to things or events around us.
Copy of the book, Images of Tañon Strait, may be requested from the publisher, Oceana Philippines International, at PO Box 255, UP Post Office, University of the Philippines Campus, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 or by email at [email protected]
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