It's in Our Blood

In the heart of the Philippines, water is more than a necessity; it is the lifeblood of culture and tradition. The shimmering streams, bustling canals, and verdant rice paddies are not just part of the landscape—they are woven into the very fabric of Filipino life. From the rhythmic planting of rice to the communal gathering at waterways by indigenous groups, water shapes every aspect of existence here.

Yet, this deep connection to water carries a hidden peril. The very sources of life and sustenance also harbour the risk of schistosomiasis, a disease born from freshwater contaminated with the helminth, Schistosoma japonicum. This worm burrows through one’s skin to settle in to a life inside one’s veins. For many Filipinos, especially those whose lives are intertwined with rice farming, the threat of this disease is a daily reality. The fields where they toil, the streams they cross, and the canals they rely on for irrigation are potential reservoirs of infection.

This photo-essay journeys through the vibrant yet vulnerable world of Filipino water culture. It captures the resilience and spirit of a people for whom water is both a gift and a gamble. Through these images, we see the beauty and the burden of a way of life that is inseparable from the water that sustains it. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Filipino people, who navigate these waters with grace and grit, ever aware of the delicate balance between their cherished traditions and the silent threat of disease.