AETA YOUTH
(Philippines)

Oil on Canvas - 40" x 32"

 

This little Aeta girl lives in a village in the Philippines called Pamulaklakin. This village is located in the hills by the Subic Bay Military Base, which was quite suddenly evacuated by the U.S. in 1991. Resourcefulness! The Aeta people here had come to rely on the military for employment, and suddenly it was gone. It is hot and there are numerous insects. This Aeta youth has used a shredded banana leaf to create a hat. This provides a bit of shade and keeps insects away. It was, however, the beauty of her face peaking through the leaf that drew me to her.