Thirty-five-year-old fisher Paolo E. Quitaneg comes from a family that casts their nets and hopes into the sea. From an early age, he witnessed how the bountiful waters of Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea — locally known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal — sustained their livelihood and nourished generations before him. But in 2012, the tides turned. Due to escalating geopolitical tensions, access to the traditional fishing ground, which Paolo described as a “true paradise,” was restricted.

Resilience beyond the shoal: Zambales fisher turns the tide by casting new net of hope. (2025, June 11). DailyGuardian, p. 7.