We Own the Sea is an evolving body of work that began in 2018, using the cyanotype process to engage with the sea as both a collaborator and a storyteller. This series captures the movement of waves and sunlight as they imprint unique patterns onto fabric coated with cyanotype chemistry, transforming the natural rhythms of the ocean into photographic art. Recent works were created in Pangasinan, a province cradled by the West Philippine Sea—a body of water at the heart of the Philippines' geography, identity, and struggle for sovereignty.

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The West Philippine Sea is more than a geopolitical space; it is a lifeline for Filipinos. It feeds communities, connects our thousands of islands, and carries the collective memory of generations who have lived and thrived along its shores. Through this project, the sea becomes a collaborator, creating imagery that reflects not only its aesthetic beauty but also its resilience and significance to Filipino life.

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The cyanotype process—with its deep, prussian blue hues—serves as a metaphor for the depths of the sea and the layered narratives tied to it. Each print is singular, shaped by the waves, sunlight, and time—a testament to the unpredictability and individuality of the ocean's movements. By working with the sea to create these images, We Own the Sea is both a celebration and a reclamation, asserting the Philippines' relationship to its waters in the face of external threats and disputes.

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In a time when the West Philippine Sea is contested, this project underscores the sea's role as a vital, life-giving force that defines our nation's culture and identity. It serves as a quiet resistance, an act of remembrance, and a creative assertion of ownership—not just over maritime territory, but over the stories, traditions, and connections that make the Philippines whole.

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Disclaimer: No marine life is harmed in this process; only the artistry of the sea is harnessed.