The main inspiration for this series comes from the Philippine myth of the sea goddess Bakunawa. There are several version of the story that appear throughout the islands of the archipelago. The version I found most interesting comes from the Visayan region. It tells the story of a beautiful sea goddess who looked up and saw the seven moon bothers. Her infatuation led her to rise from the water and devour six of the seven brothers. Bathala, the god creator of all things, punishes her by turning her into a sea dragon, banished to the depths of the ocean as the guardian of the passage between worlds.
Bakunawa A Legend from the Philippine Seas © 2022 Francisco Guerrero
The sea has always been a rich source of myths and legends for coastal dwelling peoples of the Philippines and these stories show a deep connection to the natural world. In recent years the costal waters of the Philippines have been named the center of the coral triangle and the epicenter of marine biodiversity. And yet we struggle with illegal fishing, water pollution and plastic waste. Maybe it is through a re-telling of these ancient myths that our co communities can reimagine a more sustainable and balanced relationship with the sea.
Bakunawa A Legend from the Philippine Seas © 2022 Francisco Guerrero
The original plan for this series was to shoot in open water in Anilao, Batangas. This is one of the top dive sites in the country and has been so for over three decades. For underwater photographers it is a playground of nudibranchs and blackwater dives.
Bakunawa A Legend from the Philippine Seas © 2022 Francisco Guerrero
During the three days we had planned for the shoot weather was not on our side. A storm the previous week had turned the water to milk, as we confirmed on our pre-shoot dive on the first day. So we had to fall back on plan-b which was the resort’s pool. We spent two nights shooting and since this was a working resort we had to wait for guests to finish dinner and drinks at the restaurant which is around the pool.
Bakunawa A Legend from the Philippine Seas © 2022 Francisco Guerrero
Bakunawa A Legend from the Philippine Seas © 2022 Francisco Guerrero
The model for the shoot, Cat Trivino, is an Advanced Open Water diver and an Aida certified freediver. I wanted to make sure that whoever had to work under the cloth was very comfortable in the water. Just to make sure, I tried swimming underneath the cloth myself and it is quite a disturbing sensation to come up for air and have your airway blocked by a wet cloth. Cat figured out that the trick was to surface with an extended hand to create a cavity so she could easily catch her breath. We also had two other divers in the water for safety.
Bakunawa A Legend from the Philippine Seas © 2022 Francisco Guerrero
Bakunawa A Legend from the Philippine Seas © 2022 Francisco Guerrero
The scene is lit with one Forza 250 on a c-stand behind the model. A large black background and several yards of cloth completed the set. To get the effect I was looking for I shot at slow shutter speeds. The challenge was finding the combination of shutter speed and the model’s movements to create the effect you see in the images. I hope to continue the series by shooting in open water in various locations around the Philippines as travel slowly opens up again.
Bakunawa A Legend from the Philippine Seas © 2022 Francisco Guerrero
Technical Information
Camera: Sony A7Rii
Lens: Sony 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss, Sony 16-35 f/4 Zeiss
Housing: Ikelite DL Sony A7R II with an Ikelite DL 8” Dome Port
Lighting: Forza 150, Forza 250
Location: Destino Resort, Anilao, Batangas, Philippines
Crew: Cat Trivino – Model, JC Valencia – Gaffer, Casty Pambid – Safety Diver
About Francisco Guerrero I am a freelance photographer and director creating commercial and editorial images based in the Philippines. My first contact with photography was at the age of 12, taking pictures of chickens in the backyard with my father’s camera. I specialize in telling small stories in a big way. By combining both stills and video into cohesive storytelling, brands can communicate who they are in an authentic and insightful way. I did spend some time in school learning a few things. I attended the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California and I hold a degree in Anthropology and Communications from Goldsmiths College, London. On the editorial side of things I am the co-founder and Executive Editor of Grid Magazine, an independent travel publication focusing on cultural, travel and adventure content about The Philippines. You can learn more about Francisco and his work on his website and Instagram @studioguerrero.Additional Reading
What Makes the Philippines Unique?
Every Little Stretch of Coast is Dying, We Need to Act Now!
An Insider's Guide to Blackwater Photography
Customer Photos | Charlotte Bories Dreaming Underwater
Beyond the Lens with Underwater Surrealist Conor Culver
Protecting the Natural Resources of the Bahamas with Bahamas Girl
