Tigpanalipod (The Protectors) emerged from the fisherfolk communities of Bantayan Island and its surrounding islets, including Mambacayao Dako—home to generations of fisherfolk now being displaced from their coastal homes due to tourism and private development.

Amid forced relocations and the loss of access to their fishing grounds, the community continues to resist through acts of remembrance, solidarity, and participation. During the annual San Juan Festival, more than forty fishing boats joined the Fisherfolk Day parade, each serving as both a source of livelihood and a symbol of defiance.

The work highlights the ingenuity and resilience of the fisherfolk, transforming their boats, tools, and island-made technologies into sculptural forms that reflect self-reliance and care for their environment.

Tigpanalipod stands as both a document and a declaration—protecting memory, place, and the community’s right to remain.