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Photostory | Life of Wawa Lakes's Mamamante

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In the middle of the lake, at the very tender age of 10, "Mang Unyot" began to learn his lifelong craft. Taught by his father who himself made a living from the same endeavor, "Unyot," or Dominador Guinto, Jr., started what would be his most prized art: fishing. Fishing is his livelihood―a means to provide for his family, and also his art―a way to see the world, partake in its goodness, and, from time to time, enjoy the beauty of Laguna de Bay―his most precious canvas. 


Mang Unyot scouting the area, determined for today's catch.

A new day starts at Laguna de Bay.

"Tibog," the secondary process in "Pamamante."

In the middle of the lake, a fishermen's "pahingahan," ideal for quick naps, 
good stories, or just tranquil moments with the lake.

Preparing his fishing gear for the day's activity.

A thankful Mang Unyot, happy with the day's catch.

Mang Unyot is a "mamante" fisherman, one of the very few remaining ones in Barangay Wawa. A distinct kind of fishing, "Pamamante" requires a different kind of net, and involves "tibog," the process of waiting for a school of fish to be where the net has already been set at a certain part of the lake. The net Mang Unyot uses only traps medium-sized fish, mostly the local species of tilapia, or a variant they call "arroyos." 

Catching large fish in Laguna de Bay is prohibited by law. Only large fish that come from fish pens, "baklad," are allowed. 


Scooping the fishes 

Placid mornings.

Another location for yet another catch

Mang Unyot


Here, he is an artist, and the lake his canvas. Laguna de Bay is where he hopes for a better tomorrow for his family. The lake is not only his source of livelihood, it is also his symbol of hope for good things ahead. In the past, more than half of the residents in Barangay Wawa were fisherfolk, but the years have seen this number dwindling down. The few remaining ones, including Mang Unyot, fear that one day will come when their local art of fishing, their "Pamamante," will be forever lost. He hopes that he can pass it on to the younger ones; they may go on and pursue other jobs, but he hopes his art won't be forgotten. Yet he feels the tides of change in his time. 

Cleaning the day's catch.

Afternoon socials with fellow fisherfolk

A part of Manong Unyot's 
teenage years marks his arm.

Attending his son's needs


He sees himself in his son, but he doesn't want Bradley to take on the same or even more difficult circumstances in life when he grows up. And so Mang Unyot, despite all the struggles, all the drudgeries of the day-to-day, continues to give it his all for his son's future. 

Packing the fish to be peddled by his wife around the neighborhood.

Part of his catch for lunch.

When not fishing, you'd see Mang Unyot fixing parts of 
his boat for another day at the bay.

"This is how you do it, son."

Mang Unyot, his wife, and their relatives. Their quaint compound may be 
small but it houses 13 families, all related to each other.

A long day's rest with his son.

This is a story of struggle and hope, and one fisherman's resolve to do everything he can for his son and his family, the love of his life. 

 

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Elal of The Shades of Grey Travel and Photography
Elal is a traveler, student of life and photography enthusiast who wants to experience and capture what is raved and not raved about. For more about her travels, subscribe here, email at elal.lasola@gmail.com, or visit her portfolio.

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