Jeff Balsamo

In a world where words and colors collide, two souls find solace in their shared passion for art, embarking on a journey of self-discovery that illuminates the beauty of their own narratives.

At low tide, just near the water line on a quiet beach, two boys build a sandcastle together. They take turns tamping the sand, creating tension against the rising tide that gradually dismantles their creation. What began as simple play has drifted into a haunting allegory about power, labor, and the illusion of safety – who are the people that keep these systems afloat?

A handmade spear, oval mask, and single makeshift fin is all that a Sama Dilaut diver needs to brave the waters—scouting seafloors bare with breaths held. Eksmen entails the extraordinary diving ability of Badjaos (Sama Dilaut) in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, in which a similar case has sparked inspiration in biological and physio-ecological research. The sea is their home and source of livelihood, but as they voyage to the open waters, bits of their culture is swept by the passing tides of time. A question lingers: should the Sama Dilaut cling to their ways of life, or should their adaptive nature be utilized to instead keep up with the fast-paced society? Uncover the hidden, revolutionary potential of indigenous breath hold diving, and plunge into the abyss where culture and science intertwine.

In a city drowning in campaign posters and noise, a madman believes the coming election will bring the end of the world. He sees signs everywhere from rituals, strange dancers, and the blind excitement of the crowd. As people cheer for their leaders, he tries to warn them. No one listens. The election ends. Nothing changes. The poor stay poor. Was he wrong, orr was he the only one who saw the truth?