Cover A wooden plank inscribed with “We love Pag-asa Island,” featuring a heart symbol with the Philippine flag inside, set against a sunset backdrop (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
A wooden plank inscribed with “We love Pag-asa Island,” featuring a heart symbol with the Philippine flag inside, set against a sunset backdrop (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
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Through his lens, Paul Quiambao tells the stories of resilience and hope on Pag-asa Island amidst the geopolitical waves and serene shores of a contested sea
Seas and other waterways have long been used as both lifelines and battlegrounds, their immense size brimming with natural beauty and geopolitical significance. From ancient seafarers navigating by the stars to modern-day nations staking territorial claims, these waters have seen the ebb and flow of ambition and chaos. A contested area in the Pacific Ocean that’s rich in resources and strategic importance best illustrates this dual nature.
Spanning over 370 kilometres, this is not just a sea of stunning natural beauty—its coral reefs, rich fisheries and potential oil and gas reserves make it a focal point of international attention. This body of water—known as the West Philippine Sea for the Philippines, while a part of South China Sea for China—also harbours tensions. Intricate dynamics are at play due to the presence of competing national interests.
Fishermen aboard a boat with a Chinese ship in the background (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
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In such seemingly never-ending waves of diplomatic tensions, the people who live in these regions often find themselves caught in the crossfire. And when words can endanger lives and voices are stifled by fear of repercussions, visual documentation becomes crucial. Among photographers and documentarians courageous enough to capture the essence of life amid the turbulence is Paul Quiambao.
Quiambao’s recent series of images, showcased in the “Pag-asa sa Gitna ng Kalayaan” exhibit, does more than capture the natural beauty of the disputed sea. It illuminates the human stories and national pride that are intertwined with this contested waterway. Through his lens, Quiambao brings to light the quiet dignity and unspoken struggles of a community caught between the tides of history and conflict.
The expedition
Quiambao’s quest began with a simple yet important goal: to shine light upon the lives of the Filipinos living on Pag-asa Island, the Philippines’ largest outpost in the Spratly Islands and the only one with a civilian community. “I wanted to share their stories,” he explains. “I wanted to raise awareness and portray their daily living conditions in the remotest part of our country.”
Setting out on this expedition was akin to playing high-stakes chess. One example is Quiambao’s voyage to Sandy Cay, a small sandbar in the disputed waters, which revealed both the political and physical threats of documenting life in such a volatile area.
“We disguised ourselves as fishermen to avoid raising suspicion from military forces just to land on Sandy Cay for two minutes,” Quiambao recounts. “Pressed for time, we seized the opportunity and proudly waved the Philippine flag.” Quiambao was able to capture the image of the flag waving bravely in the breeze.
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Above The Philippine flag waved on Sandy Cay, a small sandbar, with a fleet of China Coast Guard ships nearby (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
The Philippine flag waved on Sandy Cay, a small sandbar, with a fleet of China Coast Guard ships nearby (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
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The heart of Pag-asa Island
Among the many moments and landscapes he captured, it is the personal stories of the island’s residents that resonate with Quiambao most deeply. One such encounter was with Heart, a Grade 3 student on the island, whose innocence and bravery are a glimpse into the Pag-asa’s spirit.
Above Heart is one of over 400 residents of Pag-asa Island (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
Heart is one of over 400 residents of Pag-asa Island (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
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“I found her sitting on a tree root, illuminated by her cellphone’s dim light,” Quiambao narrates. “I sat beside her and I asked if she's [afraid of the situation], she replied boldly: ‘Hindi ako natatakot, kasi kapag pinakita kong natatakot ako, mas lalo silang lalakas [I'm not afraid, because if I show that I'm afraid, they'll get more powerful].’”
Pag-asa Island, the focus of Quiambao’s recent work, is home to around 400 residents. It serves as the seat of local governance for the municipality of Kalayaan group of islands. People there get essential services like food, housing, basic utilities such as solar power from the Philippine government due to the island’s limited agricultural capacity. The residents primarily rely on fishing and raising livestock to supplement their food supply.
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Life on the island is described as simple and laidback, characterised by a strong sense of community spirit. Children like Heart receive their education from an integrated public school while the elders engage in social activities, including enjoying karaoke sessions. They hold community events, which often reinforce a sense of belonging and resilience among the residents.
On the backdrop of its idyllic setting is the presence of foreign military vessels in nearby waters that has led to incidents of harassment, yet many residents remain resolute in their commitment to their home. Because for them, Pag-asa Island is more than just a place to live; it’s a symbol of national sovereignty.
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Above A fisherman hunts for food using a spear (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
A fisherman hunts for food using a spear (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
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Above A Filipino boat, adorned with flowers and proudly flying the Philippine flag, sails with a China Coast Guard ship looming in the background (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
Above Residents of Pag-asa Island rely on fishing to supplement their food supply (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
A Filipino boat, adorned with flowers and proudly flying the Philippine flag, sails with a China Coast Guard ship looming in the background (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
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Art as advocacy
For Quiambao, it’s important to provide a humanistic dimension to geopolitical tensions. “The stories emphasise that amidst the tension between ‘giants', innocent lives are at risk.” Aside from this, he believes that art forms help catch attention and spread awareness about the maritime sensation. “It evokes a stronger sense of patriotism for Filipinos – potentially moving them to voice their sentiments and convictions.”
The region is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and fisheries, which the Philippines asserts its rights over, especially following a favourable ruling from an international tribunal in 2016.
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Residents of Pag-asa Island hold a flag-raising ceremony (Photo: Courtesy of Paul Quiambao)
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“Art forms are imperative in our society today,” Quiambao asserts. “Through these images, I hope to urge policymakers to act towards improving the lives of residents on the island. I also wish for the exhibit to be an eye-opener for the public to voice their sentiments regarding the West Philippine Sea.”
Through his lens, the silent waves and contested sands of the West Philippine Sea become a canvas of the human spirit, a call for greater empathy, and a reflection on the shared experiences of those caught in the currents of history.
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Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
