About the Location: The Philippines holds a special place in my heart. The people, with their remarkable kindness and hospitality, are my favorite thing about the 7,640-island nation. Here we were on our way to the trailhead leading to Mt. Pinatubo, an active volcano whose latest eruption in 1991 caused significant damage in this area, north of Manila.
About the Shot: Arman. Here he sits on a bench in the modified flatbed of an ancient 4×4 off-roading Jeep. For nearly an hour and a half of some of the most rugged terrain I’ve ever driven over, Arman sat stoically and seemingly comfortably despite the harsh conditions. For another hour we traversed boulders and streams by foot, me in my expensive Salomon Gortex trail shoes, Arman in a pair of toss-away beach flip-flops. I swear I would have lost 3 toes if our footwear were reversed. He has three children (surprisingly the oldest at 18) that he supports as a carpenter. But once a week he takes gringos like me up a volcano for a few snapshots. I am forever impressed with the kindness, generosity, and work ethic of the people I meet in my travels.
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