Like his old and small boat, this meek and aged man speaks a lot of how life is in Balicasag island. Similar to every person in this place, people here make a hard earned living through eco-tourism. Some of them sell delicacies, pearls and shell key chains. Others, like this man use their small boats to bring tourist in the snorkeling area.
I asked Mr. Claudio how long has he been living in Bohol and said that since he was a little boy. He uses the rich marine life of this place to acquire his daily bread. I never asked him if he was a fisherman once but from his skin color and physique, one can easily tell how much he knows the definition of hard labor.
Seeing him reminded me how blessed I am in my life and how the things I experience were not as hard as it was for him. I never failed to ask for his picture having in mind that this is the only way I can help him and his family to have a constant income through tourist referral. As I continue Project Rembrandt, I hope to meet more people like him, trying my best to express them through pictures and short stories.
