Growing up in the Philippine Islands and sailing both the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, I pride myself on the people and the places that have taught me about the currents, and have instilled in me the value of fostering mutual relationships within the waters that we swim.
At a time where anthropocentrism is the root of the exploitation and supposed disposability of the land and its species, it is integral to lobby for coexistence and multiplicity. As a creative and a frequent ocean-goer with a passion for marine conservation, I aim to capture these moments of peace, wonder, and mutual respect.
My Water Teachers
2021-2026My Water Teachers is a collection of photographs that pay homage to the land and the people of coastal communities. From under to above, My Water Teachers explores the ways in which we humans live within the land and ocean rather than upon it, imposed. The collection is inspired by topophilia, the study of bonds of affect between people and place, the experiencers and the experienced. As author Mishuana Goeman reflects, “We do not act upon a stagnant landscape, but instead are a part of it”.
This collection was exhibited at the Gallatin Arts Festival (GAF) in 2026.