Tanglag, Northern Luzon / by KARIN-BAM STOWE

Working with Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA) in the remote northern hills of Luzon, I started to come across western mining companies corruption against the indigenous communities. The people of Tanglag village had fought against the Spanish invaders in the 17th century. They had strip naked in the 1980’s to protest against the Dam projects and now they fight against the corrupt army (working for the mining agencies) who stalk them in the jungle, picking them off slowly.  Immersing into their village and lifestyle, one becomes aware of the great divide between the powers that be and their disdain for those that are aligned against them, trying to preserve their way of life. This is the universal story that persist, driven by desire to obtain more than is needed by exploiting the environment and those that would live harmoniously with it.

Read article on mining in Northern Luzon - open HERE

The community are pinned in by the relentless pressure from the army, who hide in the darkness. People from the village travel in groups to try and resit being apprehended and vanished.

The journey to Tanglag takes one into the cloud mountains, then a trek of a day into forests that hide away this community.

The jungle is claiming back the village, slowly encroaching on the villagers whom are weary of the monsters that lurk just beyond.

Slowly one becomes part of the cause, you start to live as they do, fear, dream and care as they do. The camera often is the barrier that keeps your emotions at bay, but once put down you start to understand the stories more. My water buffalo buddies soon became my best confidants.

The village is a haven of wonder and beauty, surrounded by lush pristine jungle, paradise going to be lost to those that would strip the forest and its lands.

I often dream of what has happened to those I encountered, befriended, supported. One tries to keep contact, promise a return, but time and space moves the past further out of reach. Do they ever find peace?

The elders, look at the camera, knowing the story will not save them. They have that calmness that comes from tolerance, born from maintaining patience which is cherished as and held onto as the weapon that they can control.