Félix-Antoine Morin
The "Bulwang Cathedrals of Mabinay" project aims to highlight the acoustic richness of the vast Bulwang cave system, located in Mabinay, Philippines. With over 400 recorded caverns, this site, known as the caving capital of the Philippines, provides an ideal backdrop for exploring and capturing precious soundscapes.
The primary goal of this project is to raise public awareness about the acoustic diversity and ecological importance of this protected area. By recording and sharing the natural sounds of the caves, the project seeks to raise awareness about the need to preserve these unique ecosystems, which are often threatened by human activities.
The Bulwang caves boast exceptional acoustics, with immense chambers that I like to call "cathedrals," which resonate spectacularly. The echoes that propagate through them contrast with the more intimate sounds of the many nocturnal creatures that inhabit them. Pseudoscorpions, snakes, and crickets crawl along the walls, while colonies of bats find refuge in these dark cavities. The sound waves emitted by these bats are so high-pitched that most humans can only perceive the low frequencies.
However, the acoustic exploration of these caves goes far beyond the sounds emitted by the fauna. The caves themselves live and breathe, their passages contracting and dilating, absorbing organic matter that slowly traverses their systems. These constantly evolving caverns harbor biological secrets that are still little known, isolated from the outside world, just as the Philippines is from the Asian continent.
To capture this natural symphony, specialized recording equipment will be used. LOM devices, including a pair of basicUcho, will record the nearby soundscapes and the acoustics of the caves' galleries and corridors. A DIY hydrophone will capture the sounds of underground rivers and streams, while Geofón devices will record seismic activities and other vibrations.