The Pinatubo Aetas

The sight of Aetas—most of them from Pinatubo— begging in the streets of Manila is a tragic reminder of a cultural crisis. They are believed to be the Philippines’ earliest inhabitants and their descendants are the country’s biggest ethnic minority group. Among its many branches scattered across the archipelago—such as the Bataan Aetas, the Agtas of Eastern Sierra Madre, and the Dumagats who’ve settled in Bulacan, Aurora, etc.— the Pinatubo Aetas, so-named after the great volcano where they once lived, form the largest group.

Their idyllic existence would take a dramatic turn with Mount Pinatubo’s massive eruption in 1991. Forced to flee to live in resettlements, the Pinatubo Aetas faced the consequences of displacement, such as the loss of their spiritual and cultural connection. Living closer to non-Aetas also exposed them to harsh social realities—discrimination and exploitation.

This portrait series is a reminder of their presence. Johann Bona witnessed the Pinatubo Aetas’ struggles after several visits in resettlements in Porac, Pampanga. The experience prompted his last project before going back to Canada last October after 4 years as a commercial photographer in Manila.

Using a makeshift studio, he photographed some of the Pinatubo Aetas in their community over a period of 3 months. In contrast to Bona’s highly stylized or idealized images from his fashion work, he chose to portray his subjects in stark close-up shots to define their unique physical qualities.

The tight crop leaves no room for elements that would otherwise distract or evoke an artificial mood. The focal points are the subjects’ eyes, glistening black pools that speak directly to the viewer, in the hope that they would look closer to discover the Aeta’s pains as well their hopes.

There is a lot of work ahead to address the threats that are starting to erode the Aeta consciousness.The Pinatubo Aetas is a humble attempt at steering discourse towards their cause.

by Devi De Veyra