Banca

The banca is the quintessential Filipino boat. It is immediately recognized by its silhouette: a narrow and elongated hull, framed by two long bamboo outriggers which give it remarkable stability and such a particular look. We come across them everywhere, from the most modest fishing boats to larger versions equipped with engines to transport travelers from island to island.
We caught a lot of it during our stay, and it’s really one of the great discoveries of our stay in the Philippines. Each journey had its charm: the outriggers cutting through the turquoise water, the sound of the engine, the splashing, and this feeling of gliding along the sea between islands, each more beautiful than the next.
Beyond the means of transport, the banca is an integral part of Filipino life. It is used to fish, to travel, to organize excursions, to connect entire communities scattered across thousands of islands. For us, it will remain one of the symbols of this stay, inseparable from all these crossings between lagoons and beaches.