by Bricx Martillo Dumas
Act I: A Force Greater Than Ourselves
Souvenirs are often seen as mere objects, reminders of past journeys. But for me, they represent tangible and intangible connections, a nexus of meanings. My understanding of this concept deepened during the CBD COP 16 in Cali, Colombia, where I met Ms. Elvia Dagua Guatatuca, an Indigenous leader from Ecuador. As she blessed a bracelet I purchased, adorned with a striking pattern of the eyes of the jaguar, she spoke the word fuerza. Curious, I politely asked her, using a translation app, “What is the meaning of the word fuerza?” She explained, “It means strength, for you to be protected and to be strong.”
As we bid goodbye, I asked her name, wished her blessings, and hugged her. It’s not every day you meet someone from the other side of the hemisphere whom you connect with. This brief encounter resonated with me deeply and revealed a force greater than ourselves, a shared human experience of connection that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries.
This artwork, titled “Han Una”, explores that moment in Cali, a moment of discovery and connection.
Act II: Answers
Creating this artwork became a reflection of my journey in the field of conservation. As a communicator, my role often resides behind the scenes, but I am glad that the importance of communication in this field was highlighted during COP.
The artwork envisions a celebration of the natural world, a spiritual meditation on the complex interplay of forces of nature, and the concept of kinship.
We often ask people in conservation or advocacy work why they are doing that in the first place, and kinship is the answer to everything.
Kinship is a concept that emphasizes the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world, viewing them not as separate but as one.
Earlier this year I had a chance to talk with the frontliners of Tamaraw conservation in the Philippines, though I didn’t include the Tamaraw in the artwork because I believe it needs an artwork of its own. The Tamaraw rangers work in harmony with the local government, the scientists, the academe, and the indigenous peoples, and this kinship ensures that the Tamaraw is safeguarded for generations to come. This is not only seen in Tamaraw conservation efforts but also ideally in everyone who is connected in the conservation space around the world.
The sacred jaguar, which is the central motif of this work, embodies the concept of kinship. As a keystone species, it maintains ecological balance and mirrors our role as stewards of the environment. The jaguar’s strength, resilience, and balance serve as a powerful symbol of the harmony we must strive for with nature.
This work advocates for a shift in perspective, moving away from viewing nature as a resource for extraction and towards recognizing our interconnectedness within the web of life.
Act III: The Weight of the Crown, the Strength of Connection
My time in Cali impressed upon me the need to synthesize my learnings into a cohesive message: the pursuit of peace with nature and a sustainable future. Coincidentally, revisiting the series Arcane reinforced this message: “Joined together not by birth or dictum. But by all that we share. Our hope. Our curiosity. Our compulsion to leave behind us a world better than that before. These things we share make us one people.” This idea of shared purpose resonates with the weight of responsibility: the “heavy crown” of conservation. This work acknowledges that burden but finds strength in the connections we forge. Through these shared experiences, these moments of human connection, we find the fuerza to move forward, creating a force to be reckoned with in the pursuit of a harmonious relationship with the natural world.
Final Act : The True Peace with Nature
“Han una” is a shortened version of the Waray-Waray phrase ‘Han una nga mga panahon,’ which translates to ‘in the old days.’
Back in the day, I believed we truly coexisted with nature. I hope that someday, this ‘han una’ concept, this idea of viewing ourselves as one with nature, will become the norm for all of us.
And that’s what I believe is the key to true peace with nature.
