GROWING up in the many islands of the Philippines, I used to be taken by my father to mountains, swamps, lakes, rivers and the countless wetlands found in our country. Thanks to my father, I became obsessed early in my childhood in exploring more of our country's natural wonders. As much as I fell in love with our mountains, I've grown to understand more deeply and connect with our misunderstood swamps and marshes. These critical wetlands that our cities have been built on, are often portrayed as grimy and filthy places looming with menacing ogres, magical engkantos and incurable diseases.
Yet, as I became more exposed and immersed in these realms of wetlands, I've come to realize that they are not filled with ogres and spirits, but with equally magical majestic birds, crocodiles and mystical trees - places of enchantment waiting to be discovered.
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