Coffee & Geography 6x04 Marvee Sambajon (Philippines) documentary producer, marine sci-comm, crochet

In this uplifting and heartfelt episode, Kit is joined by Marvee Sambajon, a documentary producer and marine science communicator from the Philippines. What follows is a warm, generous conversation about place, respect, culture, creativity, and the small moments that reveal who we are. Marvee reflects on growing up across several Philippine provinces, moving between communities as a “blank slate” ready to listen. She shares the profound experience of being welcomed by Ifugao Indigenous peoples in the famed rice terraces — a moment of deep humility and gratitude that still resonates years later. The episode travels through her remarkable years documenting marine scientific expeditions: three summers at sea aboard military ships, navigating storms, isolation, hunger, exhaustion — and even the occasional shark. These raw, vivid stories show the human side of science: the patience, courage, improvisation and humour that research crews rarely talk about. Marvee also explains why marine science communication is crucial in an archipelagic nation. From algal blooms to plastic pollution, she highlights the gap between public perception and ecological reality — and why awareness, respect and context‑specific solutions matter. Finally, she shares the comfort she finds in crochet: the counting, the repetition, the making and remaking of garments as both creative outlet and sustainable practice. Connect with Marvee over on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marveeambi.bsky.social Links to explore further: 🔗 Ifugao Rice Terraces (UNESCO World Heritage Site): https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/722/ 🔗 Philippine Marine Science Institute (UP MSI): https://msi.upd.edu.ph/ 🔗 Philippine Rise (Benham Rise) Expedition: https://ph.oceana.org/expeditions/benham-expedition/ 🔗 Plastic Pollution in Philippine Coastal Waters: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1251582 🔗 Treasures from the Deep: West Philippine Sea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3timSPMtWYY 🔗 Treasures from the Deep: Verde Island Passage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp6CArgEWOk #CoffeeGeogPod #Philippines #MarineScience #PlasticPollution #IndigenousKnowledge #HumanGeography #NarrativeGeography #ScienceCommunication #RiceTerraces #DocumentaryStorytelling Theme music: "Spark of Inspiration" by Shane Ivers (silvermansound.com)