SAN ANTONIO, Zambales (PIA) — The Ghost Ships exhibit at Casa San Miguel in San Antonio town highlights the stories of Zambales fisherfolk, shedding light on their struggles and resilience at sea.
This exhibition is part of Zambulat 2025, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
“Ghost Ships” is an artistic collaboration between Casa San Miguel 2025 Artist-in-Residence William Matawaran and Zambulat 2025 Environmental Cluster Mentor Joanna Aglibot that focuses on the lived experiences of Zambales fisherfolk who navigate not only the unpredictable forces of nature but also the geopolitical tension in the West Philippine Sea.
Matawaran said “Ghost Ships” is a multimedia and multi-sensory work that narrates the real-life experiences of Zambaleño fisherfolk out in the open seas.
“It is important that this is presented within a local context here at Casa San Miguel, specifically in Zambales, to inform people about our hydro-social and geopolitical issues—topics that are rarely covered by national media and even less so at the local level,” Matawaran said.
He further explained that the exhibit encourages visitors to reflect on how personal stories connect to global issues.
“By amplifying the voices of those often overshadowed by political discourse, the exhibit fosters dialogue on resilience, vulnerability, and the ongoing fight for survival in contested waters,” he added.
Using a combination of mixed-media installations and immersive soundscapes, “Ghost Ships” creates a multi-sensory experience that brings visitors into the physical and emotional landscapes these fisherfolk inhabit.
As visitors enter the exhibition, they are first met with illuminated acrylic engravings depicting driftwood, frayed ropes, rusted metal, and fishing scenes—symbolizing both the fragility and resilience of their vessels.
The glowing images evoke the ghostly presence of abandoned or destroyed boats.
Accompanying this visual display is an immersive soundscape featuring recorded interviews with local fisherfolk, sharing their firsthand accounts of displacement, survival, and perseverance.
Meanwhile, Aglibot emphasized the importance of hearing the fisherfolk’s stories firsthand.
“We invite you to visit Casa San Miguel, where ‘Ghost Ships’ is currently on display. The fisherfolk themselves are the ones telling their stories through this exhibit, so if you have time, feel free to drop by,” she said.
The exhibit runs until the end of March and is open to the public from Friday to Sunday. (CLJD/RGP, PIA Region 3-Zambales
