awomenan is a longterm documentary project initiated by the Marinduque Indymedia. With the primary lens of gender and development in the province of Marinduque, Kawomenan seeks to look at the contribution of women in their respective communities. Marinduque, considered to be the center of the Philippines, has only six towns (Sta. Cruz, Buenavista, Mogpog, Boac, Gasan and Torrijos). The idea is, gender concerns and issuers are also human, not only women's. Therefore, from the stereotype that women only does the domestic chores and contribute little, kawomenan hopes to demystify and clarify. Marinduque is known for its lenten rites which in the last 30 years or so become a tourist destination.
ender and Development (GAD) has its roots with the grants and aids system since the aftermath of the Second World War. GAD is a particular way of looking at development: from what type, who does what, how and why it is necessary. During the first development decade in the 1960s, the particular view that was taken is that women should be more involved in economic development. In the next wave in the 1970s, the view was revised and not only looked at women's contribution but also their participation. Yet another transformation was undertaken during the 1980s, that took the view that both men and women should assert their rights and participate in the total development.
n 1999, Independent Media Centers (IMCs or Indymedia) were instrumental in stopping the millenium Wolrd Trade Organization negotiations in Seattle. It was a confluence of a deep mistrust of the neoliberal world order, open source technologies, alter globalization movements and end of century spirit. By 2004, after the 9-11 attacks in the United States and the declaration of war against terrorism, Indymedia remained relevant. It was committed to create radical, accurate and passionate telling of truth. In the Philippines, Indymedia Pilipinas was organized by local anarchists, NGO workers, student activists, LGBT advocates,etc. The local indymedia grew and remained active before splitting into Quezon City and Manila Indymedia. The offshoot, after 5 years is yet another local indymedia in the heart of the Philippines, in Marinduque by 2009.
The man shapes and figures. Salvador Liwanagan (49) with his wife crafts yet another traditional morion mask for the annual lenten rights, moriones (Boac)/ moryonan (Mogpog).
Our Lady of Biglang Awa replica. Mang Buddy keeps various replica of Our Lady of Prompt Succor believed to have saved the coastal towns of Marinduque from pirates and slave hunters.
Ati-atihan and Sinulog in Marinduque. It is also during the 3rd Sunday of January, a festive dancing mood takes the streets of Sta. Cruz.
With mouths wide open. A child inspects the insides of a gruoper to represent the largest contingent of Brgy. Lapu-Lapu in Sta. Cruz.
Keeping the spirit alive. In the 1980s, a group of Visayan migrants kept their faith intact and decided to carry on with their religious practices whereever they are on the map.
The search for Mairnduque's mutya. At least 17 young ladies from the 6 towns of the province vied for the title and crown of becoming the first ever Mutya ng Marinduque.
Bring it all in. The rest of the province placed their own bets who would get the beauty title and a chance to represent Marinduque in other competitions such as Binibinbing Pilipinas.
Like a black peacock. A hopeful flaunts her night gown before the talent competion in Boac covered court.
Miss Kultura. Evangeline Ranosa (19) an Engineering student from Marinduque State College, also a member of the college's theatre group takes home the title of Mutya ng Kultura.
4 out of 17. Not all cadidates are given a chance to be called Mutya in their respective fields: culture, tourism and environment. Jean Saguid (20) from Gasan got the title of Muya ng Kalikasan, Gil Nica Sadiwa (21) from Buenavista got the title of Mutya ng Turismo and the crowned Mutya ng Marinduque is Jeanalyn Mendoza (20) from Sta. Cruz.
Old artisan art. Sutera Parreno (76) from Brgy. Kasily, Sta. Cruz uses a hand driven potter's wheel to make clay pots.
Rugged tools. Manang Terang usually alternates the use of a small wooden paddle, sea shell and stone to shape and finish earthen wares from pots, jars, food containers and kitchen utensils.
Red earth. Manang Terang also applies red mud to the earthen products to achieve a distinct color.
Improvised Kiln. Leonisa Abela (60) arranges the raw clay pots in order to be brazed in fire.
Finish products. Sorio Reynoso sells the finish product at the town market.
Buntal loomweaving. A buntal loomweaver from Brgy. Bonliw, Torrijos repititively calibrates the handloom to produce fiber products.
Julie Anne's handicraft. Before, when they started the business about three years ago, they only had 3 handlooms. Nowadays, they have more than 15 handlooms and workers who produces buntal products 5 times a week.
Buri Palm. Brgy. Bonliw with the rest of Torrijos is blessed with buri palms, according to the Fiber Industry Development Authority, every year the province produces at least 2 tons of buntal products.
Torrijos Loomweavers. In the 1980s, the Torrijos Loomweaving Cooperative was established in Brgy. Matuyatuya, but in the 1990s orders declined and by 2005 they closed down. The old loomweavers from Brgy. Matuyatuya were absorbed and continue to work at Julie Anne's.
Young Butterfly raisers. May Sotto (22) replaces dried flowers with fresh ones to keep the butterflies coming.
Egg-laying. Jefferson Sotto (19) guides the cultured butterfly to the laying station.
Live Butterfly release. John Rommel Supleo (19) catches a butterfly for selling live butterflies to be used in different occaions, from birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and even death.
Improvised kiln. Ludovico Fabella (63) takes a breather after setting up an improvised kiln for their coconut sugar production.
SIKAP. Most residents of Brgy. Bicasbicas, Buenavista are part of the people's organization, Sa Ikakauunlad ng Pamayanan (SIKAP). They are engaged in community development and their most recent venture is in coconut sugar production.
Mother and daughter. Alicia (60) and Jasmine (25) Fabella stir the coconut toddy syrup consistently to make coco sugar granules.
½ kilogram package. Coco sugar is packed into ½ kilo bags to be sold for P250.
Abaca that binds. The newly formed association, Tanikala ng Pagkakaisa (chain of unity) in Brgy. Tugos, Boac produces high quality abaca products, their specialty are slippers.
SM orders. Not even reaching one year yet, Tanikala ng Pagkakaisa has already got orders from established stores such as Shoe Mart.
Falling short. Despite the initial help of the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Fiber Industry Development Authority, Tanikala ng Pagkakaisa is yet to produce the SM orders. But steadily it builds on its name.
Since in the beginning, I was always fascinated with images. I learned how to appreciate images even befre I learned how to talk and walk straight, I grew up looking at images from various media. I adore my father telling stories with lots of images. Even in school, I enjoyed more graphic exmaples rathern than plain words. Now I come full circle in the last 10 years, in 2002 I got accepted to a certificate course in creative writing. Ten years after, I also had the opportunity to complete a diploma course in photojournalism.
Creative Commons