Maya Valentine

Photo Editor

The Washington Post

On National Geographic: The world's wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.

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About 60 percent of the 15,000 ... like palm oil, rice, and corn.

1 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

About 60 percent of the 15,000 people living in the Agusan Marsh are Agusan Manobos, a local Indigenous group. Seen here, fog and smoke from nearby fires pollutes the air over a Manobo village. Fires have become more common as wetlands fall prey to drought or are manually drained to make room for crops like palm oil, rice, and corn.

About 60 percent of the 15,000 ... like palm oil, rice, and corn.

2 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

About 60 percent of the 15,000 people living in the Agusan Marsh are Agusan Manobos, a local Indigenous group. Seen here, fog and smoke from nearby fires pollutes the air over a Manobo village. Fires have become more common as wetlands fall prey to drought or are manually drained to make room for crops like palm oil, rice, and corn.

In the Agusan Marshlands, the r..., Emmilie Ibonia, describes it.

3 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

In the Agusan Marshlands, the rainy season begins in December and ends around February, transforming the region's vast complex of rivers, lakes, and swamps into a convergent "waterworld" as the park's superintendent, Emmilie Ibonia, describes it.

A Manobo child sits on the remn...fresh water and plentiful fish.

4 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

A Manobo child sits on the remnants of highway construction built to transport palm oil from the plantations in Agusan Marsh. Some Manobo have been forced inland to escape pollution flowing into the marsh from tributaries. The wetland was once pristine, full of 59 lakes and swamps that provided fresh water and plentiful fish.

Agricultural companies and palm...arsh complex partially extends.

5 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

Agricultural companies and palm oil producers drain peatlands in Talacogon, a Philippine municipality into which the Agusan Marsh complex partially extends.

Left: A pig is slaughtered for ...nd animals of the Agusan Marsh.

6 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

Left: A pig is slaughtered for a sacrificial ritual. Before being killed, the tribal chieftan or "Datu" blesses the animal. It's then roasted and the blessed meat is shared among the community. Sacrifices are done to ask for blessings and protection from the "original" inhabitants of the marsh, the spirits and animals who live there.

Right:The blood of a slain chicken, collected on a plate after a sacrificial ritual. Droplets of blood are smeared on palms and soles of the feet as a sign of reverence for the spirits and animals of the Agusan Marsh.

Apo Francisco is a tribal elder...ter crocodiles, in high regard.

7 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

Apo Francisco is a tribal elder, living in the Agusan Marsh's Lake Benuni. Using a spear passed down by previous generations, he conducts ritual animal sacrifies. The Manobos hold living creatures, especially the marsh's saltwater crocodiles, in high regard.

A palm oil plantation grows in ...leading cause of deforestation.

8 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

A palm oil plantation grows in the Caimpugan Peatswamp. Around the world, there's a high demand for palm oil, made from the fruit of oil palm trees. The versatile oil can be used in everything from cooking to shampoo, but it's also a leading cause of deforestation.

Ricky Reyes, a Manobo tribe mem...e Manobos face food insecurity.

9 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

Ricky Reyes, a Manobo tribe member, hauls his morning catch from Lake Panlabuhan. The community shares their hauls with neighbors and family. Wetlands are a vital source of fisheries, and when these ecosystems are compromised, residents like the Manobos face food insecurity.

Left: Newly lit candles light u... the struggles they have faced.

10 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

Left: Newly lit candles light up the floating chapel in Lake Panlabuhanafter. Catholicism has reached the Manobo community, mixing with their native religion, which draws on reverence for animals and nature.

Right: Marites Babanto is a Manobo tribal leader. Inside the floating chapel, she prays for the wellbeing and security of the marsh, her culture, and the struggles they have faced.

Marites Babanto manouvers a can...ountries for environmentalists.

11 of 11 © 2024 Maya Valentine

Marites Babanto manouvers a canoe through a flowering wetland field. For 30 years, Babanto has worked to protect her home from corporations who would see it used for palm oil or agriculture. The Philippines is a dangerous place to defend the environment and around the world, and is one of the deadliest countries for environmentalists.

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On National Geographic: The world's wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.

Copyright Maya Valentine 2024

Updated Feb 2021

Topics Media

It was very special working with the young and talented photographer, Gab Mejia, on this visually led piece for National Geographic's Environment desk. It is important that the stories we tell invite others in, and bring a strong sense of awareness, while also offering comfort and peace. I hope our teamwork created this for this story. Many thanks to the team.

The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.

It’s been 50 years since an international treaty to protect wetlands was created but, around the world, wetlands are still disappearing three times faster than forests. View Full Article

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