Spot Shelf: Riza Babaran's Tinagong Dagat Is a Revelation About Women Fishers in Aklan

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(SPOT.ph) With the fishing industry primarily dominated by men, the topic of women fisherfolk is often overlooked in terms of literature. The image that emerges is that while men venture out to sea, women remain at home, tending to domestic responsibilities.

Riza G. Babaran, the author of Tinagong Dagat, hopes to dispel this stereotype through a collection of 10 stories featuring female, young fishers living in a coastal community. It captures the intricate interplay between the unwavering dreams that these young women ardently strive for and the harsh realities they confront, brought about by the actions and decisions of the adults in their lives.

If one were to look at the map, Tinagong Dagat is nestled between the municipalities of Altavas and Batan in Aklan. Commonly referred to as "Tinago Lake," this picturesque body of water merges with the Sibuyan Sea and finds itself guarded by two islands, Pandan and Tabon. It is due to this unique geographical setting that the name "Tinagong Dagat" (hidden sea) has been bestowed upon it. Renowned for its rugged coastlines and dense mangrove forests and thriving undergrowth, this hidden gem offers a captivating natural haven.

Although fiction, the stories featured in the book are a result of the author's immersion within the coastal communities of Tinagong Dagat as a researcher in fisheries. Babaran is a fishery graduate and has been involved in community-based coastal resource management projects.

Her dream of becoming both a fisher and a creative writer came true with the publication of this book. Its recognition further soared when it was hailed as a finalist in the 2022 Madrigal-Gonzales Best First Book Awards and the 40th National Book Award.

Social and Gender Issues in Tinagong Dagat

The majority of the stories in Tinagong Dagat highlights social and gender issues, not only because the main characters are female but also because they are still children and therefore perceived as incapable of fulfilling their tasks and responsibilities.

In "Katig," Mariel is a young boat operator (bangkero) who faces bullying from a male and much older colleague. Despite her skill and capability, she becomes a target as her male counterpart attempts to assert his dominance by intentionally capsizing her outrigger boat when a customer chose to ride with her. This incident is fueled by a misguided belief that being physically stronger makes him a superior boat operator, undermining Mariel's ability, and determination.

In Philippine society, women are primarily expected to be confined to the home, attending to the household chores.  Meanwhile, men’s domain is tantamount to paid work and therefore, highly valued more than women’s domestic tasks.

In "Ang Babeng Mangingisda," Rio’s mother assumed the role of providing for the family when her husband died of cancer. With a daughter and father-in-law to feed, she joined a cooperative to avail of financial assistance so that she can buy a motor boat that will her improve their way of living. However, her ability as a fisher was questioned because she is a woman.

A similar situation unfolds in "Kupapha" when Fely's mother assumes the role of the family head after her husband is unjustly accused of theft for refusing to sell their fishing area. The fishpond owner underestimates her because she is a woman, expecting her to accept the injustice without taking action to seek justice for her husband.

Women, even though they are directly involved in fishing, are likely to be referred to as helpers or auxiliary fishers They are more associated with the home rather than working alongside men in the fishery.

In "Balsa," Elsa, who is only 16 years old, is married off by her father to his boss, an elderly single man, in the hope of securing a better life. His father was disappointed by his eldest son who promised to help their family when he got a job in the city. Instead, he found a wife and got married early. Marrying Elsa to his affluent boss becomes the father's final attempt to uplift their social and economic standing.

Government’s Interventions in Fishery Management

A significant aspect portrayed in the book is the impact of government interventions on the lives of the coastal community. It exposes the common attitude among the fishers when a government program is introduced to them, exhibiting immediate opposition and cynicism.

The stories in the collection feature research assistants who deeply immerse themselves in coastal communities. Their purpose extends beyond studying the status of marine life and fishery resources; they also investigate the socio-economic conditions. This comprehensive approach allows the government to identify and implement the most fitting interventions to address the community's needs effectively.

Such dynamic interaction is fully explored in "Tag-ulan sa Tinagong Dagat" where three research assistants (RAs) befriended Maila and her older brother during their research. Maila serves as the student assistant while her brother, a motor-boat operator, serves as their guide during sampling.

The negative sentiment among fishers towards government programs is often influenced by the political dynamics and relationship between the community and their local leader. In “Ang Parada sa Tinagong Dagat,” Ruth’s father was opposed to her involvement with the two RAs claiming that the mayor is just using them for corruption. His attitude towards any government assistance is reflected by such socio-political dynamics within the community.

"Ang Kantor sa Tinagong Dagat" explores the same sentiment when the father of Ikay, who works as a porter at the pier, was unfairly laid off because of the new governor. They fought for their rights by going through a hunger strike only to end up crippled after an encounter with the authorities. 

Fighting for Their Dreams 

Young as they are and despite being subjected to harsh realities, all the characters in Babaran's collection exhibit resilience and tenacity by refusing to give up on their dreams. 

Paulina ("Batang Isla") demonstrates her unwavering perseverance and a strong sense of self-belief when her playmates are teasing her about not being born on the island. Her love for Tinagong Dagat goes deeper than her birthplace. Similarly, all Ruth ("Ang Parada Sa Tinagong Dagat") ever wanted was to own a drum so that she can join the community parade and found her way out of it by accepting several jobs to earn money and achieve her dream. 

As these young women overcome obstacles and setbacks, they also develop an appreciation for the beauty of Tinagong Dagat and the long-term benefits it can provide to them and the next generations. 

Readers are educated on the importance of mangrove forests in coastal resource management in the story of Julia ("Papay Binong") and the importance of mountains that nestle the sea in the story of Bebing ("Ang Diwata sa Bundok Pinamawhan").

In the pursuit of progress at the expense of preserving our natural resources, the story of Bebing and Iya exemplifies how nature is often the first to suffer when people destroy it in the name of greed.

Tinagong Dagat: Kuwento ng mga Batang Mangingisda (University of the Philippines Press, 2021) by Riza Babaran is available on Lazada and Shopee for P470.

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