Equation of State unfolds amid Bantayan Island’s uncertain future, following the removal of its Wilderness status—a decision that reveals how law, politics, and economics determine who controls land and livelihood. The loss of protection opens more than 13,000 hectares to private ownership and development, exposing the fragility of policies meant to balance growth and sustainability.

Atienza grounds her work within this shifting legal and ecological landscape. Through video documentation of Bantayan’s periphery, she bears witness to the visible effects of policy: churches, boats, and homes slowly eroding along the coast. Her film Panangatan (2019) traces the decaying shoreline and the fisherfolk who resist relocation despite government pressure and rising tides.

By combining these moving images with relocated mangrove plants, Atienza’s installation reflects on human interference, resilience, and belonging. Equation of State ultimately asks:

Who owns the coast?
Who decides its future?