The Mataw fishermen of Batanes

"The Japanese term "Shokunin," does not stop at defining their craftsman, but also implies utmost knowledge, intelligence, and social consciousness. In the final video we put together for Madrid Fusion Manila 2017, we traveled to the northern most tip of the Philippines to meet a man we consider to be our version of a local shokunin. A village of Mataw fishermen in Batanes go out to sea everyday, for two months of the year, in order to fish for Dorado. The short timespan is a decision dictated by tradition, admirably resulting in the prevention of overfishing. The Dorado is dried then smoked, allowing it to last a year on average. It is a practice as old as memory, and one that will continue for as long as there are Mataw. It is people like Jhun that keep us proud of the craftsmanship of the Filipino."

Written by Michelle Ayuyao
Filmed and edited by Lyka Gonzalez
Music produced by Thrones

Mahatao fishermen start their day hours before the break of dawn.

Mahatao fishermen start their day hours before the break of dawn.

Smoked dorados are hung inside the fishermen's homes. Mahataos practice smoking as a curing method to have a supply of fish throughout the year.

Smoked dorados are hung inside the fishermen's homes. Mahataos practice smoking as a curing method to have a supply of fish throughout the year.

A closer look at a sliced dorado.

A closer look at a sliced dorado.

At 3AM, fishermen forage nearby springs for wild shrimp.

At 3AM, fishermen forage nearby springs for wild shrimp.

Wild shrimp is used as bait for small fish. The small fish then becomes the bait for large dorados.

Wild shrimp is used as bait for small fish. The small fish then becomes the bait for large dorados.

By 5AM, fishermen have paddled out into the Philippine Sea.

By 5AM, fishermen have paddled out into the Philippine Sea.

Batanes is the northernmost province in the Philippines.

Batanes is the northernmost province in the Philippines.

Water buffalos or carabaos graze freely on Marlboro Hills, Batanes.

Water buffalos or carabaos graze freely on Marlboro Hills, Batanes.

Delia harvests her vegetables while her son is out on the sea.

Delia harvests her vegetables while her son is out on the sea.

Large cabbages, among other vegetables, grow on fertile Batanes soil.

Large cabbages, among other vegetables, grow on fertile Batanes soil.

By 11AM Mahatao fishermen paddle back to the shore.

By 11AM Mahatao fishermen paddle back to the shore.

Fellow fishermen help carry other boats.

Fellow fishermen help carry other boats.

Children welcome their father as he returns.

Children welcome their father as he returns.

Coconut leaves are used to protect the boats from rain.

Coconut leaves are used to protect the boats from rain.

Residents of Diura Beach experience erratic weather changes.

Residents of Diura Beach experience erratic weather changes.

The sun shines on a toppled boat.

The sun shines on a toppled boat.

A fisherman slices and cures his morning catch. The dorados are hung outside his home to dry.

A fisherman slices and cures his morning catch. The dorados are hung outside his home to dry.

A typical home in Diura Beach is covered with leaves to protect their homes from strong rain and winds.

A typical home in Diura Beach is covered with leaves to protect their homes from strong rain and winds.

Dorados drying out in the sun is a typical site in Diura Fishing Village after a morning catch.

Dorados drying out in the sun is a typical site in Diura Fishing Village after a morning catch.

Video presented at the Madrid Fusión Manila 2017.