This ecosystem, to me, had a surreal, otherworldly quality that felt mysterious and primeval. Deafeningly silent, it was teeming with life, maybe even death.

They resemble worms but are actually saltwater clams with very small shells. Sometimes referred to as “termites of the sea”, they’re notorious for boring into and feasting on rotting wood submerged in sea water, such as dead mangrove roots, piers, even wooden ships.

Also known locally as samaral, taragbago, kitang, or tabago, danggit is a type of fish called Spinefoot or Rabbitfish in English. The term lamayo refers to a method of preparation where the fish, in this case danggit, is butterflied, soaked in vinegar with crushed garlic and black pepper, then partially dried before being packed and frozen.

A mysterious, secretive lake hidden amidst a series of towering limestone cliffs…