Philippines: Diving for Gold | ARTE.tv Documentary

The Philippines has the fifth largest gold reserves in the world. 500,000 local people, often very poorest, dig into the swamps and dive down under the sea every day in the hope of finding the precious metal. Many of them are children who are sent into tight spaces to reach the gold.
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Philippines: Diving for Gold | ARTE.tv Documentary
🗓 Available until the 19/12/2026
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[@mikemessina6710]

I went to the PH 10 years ago and Be-friended a family, I built them a nice house, cost me $25,000. I still send $200 to $600 every 3 to 4 months. I've never told anyone I did this until now, hoping to set an example. These kids break my heart. Pay it forward my friends.

[@MysteryMan404]

You set them up for the basics of their life. That’s an awesome thing you did

[@ejoybangaoil7501]

Thank you. I pray they'll pay it forward since you gave them the chance...

[@dalewinter8227]

Blessings to you for I have and currently still do this not on the scale of building a house but I bought a filipina woman and her son a new Honda moped, rent for a store and $ to stock with goods to sell so she can be more self reliant...I also send about $300 per month and this helps this poor widow and her 7 year old son tremendously because there are no jobs there, most people are VERY VERY POOR and no opportunities for a 37 year old woman with no degree. I don't make much myself but what I do make is more than enough so I'm happy to make a positive difference in another's life.

[@nestoragda3255]

have more blessings for u sir.

[@KoKo-22.3.6.9]

what else have you done over there you never told anyone about?!?

[@darreno9874]

These children and their families work to survive, they work very hard. God bless them

[@ZaharaImole]

Real survivors smh

[@mouzanashraff407]

Now this is what called A TRUE DOCUMENTARY. Nice work team arte.

[@josephmedina6403]

“Dark side of chocolate” documentary is about child workers in chocolate industry it’s interesting

[@teamap78]

12:19 broke my heart. The kid said “at least I can buy some rice & meat” 😢

[@josephmedina6403]

He can’t read or write but he knows how to make money HANDS DOWN! Most others don’t know how to smelt, pan , or even don’t know what to look for when it comes to gold BIG RESPECT to this kid

[@patrickp8315]

Not only that Hato helps his family making money, he also loves going to school. This video should be shown to American kids who take everything for granted.

[@joelawrence56]

exactly...but every Western country!

[@brad2548]

When I was a child I worked hard . My father taught us many things and how to work for everything. I grew up learning to appreciate what we had and it was a humbling reward . We didn't have video games. Electronics. Or the latest designer clothes. We never questioned our gender. Never sat in front of a television all day. Americans are spoilt rotten. These children and their families deserve what an American could sell their gold for. 😢

[@MATI-by2dl]

💯

[@KoDeMondo]

Yep Especially for them that they need more cobalt than gold

[@LaboyMoto]

Respect to that kid who help his family and risking his life

[@evolionbot]

He's getting brain damage from the mercury

[@LaboyMoto]

@@evolionbot Hope not

[@user-wo7rp6bc6t]

I strongly agree 👍

[@Larrytalls]

👀 just don't sound right but I think I understand?

[@notyou000]

Standing against what your own people think is right doesn't mean your people will respect you . 💯 everyone has to ride a car to work like for real that's the problem America has do u all travel across state lines to get to work I don't think so lol .😅

[@morgan1719]

I'm a gold prospector myself. I target isolated locations deep in the desert, far from water or even shade. There's cougars, rattlesnakes, gila monsters, a dozen poisonous insects to avoid, the occasional pack of rabid coyotes, and what not. There's no cell signal, so if things go south, you're on your own. Needless to say, I outfit myself with the best equipment. After watching a little boy wearing 2 dollar slippers on his feet, lugging 200 pounds of gravel 60 meters under water with a an aquarium hose in his mouth, I realize I'm a punk.

[@eXKeRv]

A tough pill to swallow 😅

[@scottpetersen2964]

😂

[@mamasimoneau]

Well said

[@robertlund5694]

Economic differences

[@brucegenerous2211]

Lmao

[@masterk5372]

Wish these kids found a jackpot of gold that be awesome

[@stevenhull5025]

The trouble is it is the "middleman" who makes most profit not the kids who risk everything.

[@adrielburned6924]

Tough life, tough family. Respect

[@ZaharaImole]

Most definitely respect😢

[@S2KPHD]

every kid in the US should see this documentary and stop the whining about how "hard" life is in the US.

[@user-bm1kz2zc9x]

You're right..

[@Brandon-305]

Yup kids are ungrateful these days. Parent are to blame also..😕

[@sherlocklourembam1903]

Bro casually said 'of you are lucky, you will come up or else you will die underwater' .. that's something chilling to hear.

[@sherlocklourembam1903]

'if'

[@josephmedina6403]

that’s the keyword “ if”

[@crogers3783]

this broke my heart, children working so young

[@MysteryMan404]

Yeah they have no other choice, just the way life goes

[@DDVVJJRR]

Very strong people , mentally and psychically 💯

[@jaribg.romero-bp2yf]

Proud of that young man 101%.

[@gooooooootooooooo3825]

As a father to a 9 yo boy I can’t even imagine letting him do something like that and just watching day by day..

[@bradi5050]

Exactly putting him in that kinda dangerous situation and putting responsibility on a 9 year old to thats dads responsibility not his son's it's sickening

[@kawrss31]

can u imagine not eating for 3 days straight till someone mines? try...with no pills or aids...try not eating for 3 days straight.

[@samuelbarrientos5757]

@@bradi5050You’re looking at the situation with privilege goggles on. The dad is not lazy.. for the dad to do it the hole has to be bigger, which means more time and more work… which means less gold. They’re splitting 5 bucks a day! Can you really afford to make less? These are hard decisions that we cannot fathom. You cannot vilify the father.

[@cmpremlap]

Watching and waiting for a tragedy to unfold. I wonder how often these children succumb to the diver bends? Breathing that compressed air has an entirely different set of dangers.

[@chairlesnicol672]

​@@cmpremlapLike what dangers?

[@SilverStrategist]

I am a school teacher in Australia. How can I support this family?

[@artetvdocumentary]

Unfortunately, as a public broadcaster, we cannot give information about making a donation. However, you are free to search for the relevant party online.

[@yvetteagatep855]

Pls comment back here if you do find them, I am from the Philippines but living abroad at the moment. I can alsto try to contact them.

[@thegiftofthemagi4316]

please avoid scammer. theres plenty here in comment section

[@mpat100]

Blessings and Gods protection over all these children and other mine workers

[@Whistiling_in_the_Wind]

Poor kids

[@trevorsloan2047]

They would have been better off without christianity. Our gods caused these conditions. Don't be blind

[@EricBurke-uu4lw]

Every kid in the US and canada should spend a week with these kids.

[@randyvillacin5562]

😂😂

[@kbengson9163]

I will bet the 3 other families who are allowed to buy gold in Paracale were also former or current council\town officials, funny coincidence eh?

[@MADmosche]

The Philippines is unfortunately full of government corruption.

[@phage1232]

Breaks my heart watching what these kids go through

[@Phillyfan1999]

The way I see it hato is the golden nugget he’s going to be somebody great and help his family over come poverty 💪🏼🙏🏻

[@TroubleMedia1]

wow. awesome doc! never seen nothing like it. love and respect

[@tawnikitari]

Wow… all I have to say. We take so much for granted here in the US.

[@seanronayne3654]

God Bless these little soldiers! So brave and wonderful are these sweet kind souls.

[@Jisoe22]

great doku. really touching images... we should be aware that we are blessed to not have to struggle like this every day.

[@ShutDFckOff]

We should not look down on these kids helping their family and themselves in order to provide for daily living. In America most of the black kids lifespan is @ 22 years trying to make a living being involved in gangster's activity and the gov't ignores it and love's it.

[@garettdegenhardt722]

Honestly that one kid who was mineing for gold early in the video and went to school. I wish i could pay his transportation to school. Id do that in a heart beat. It would give me such satisfaction to help that poor kid out.

[@youradhere1217]

7am I’m the morning showering outside. What a little man. Respect

[@CizarPaul]

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God❤

[@stevenhull5025]

In the meantime enjoy the present kingdom of hunger and poverty whilst the rich enjoy a kingdom of plenty.

[@LocaJBiggs]

Someone give me this kids contact I’d love to help him, I don’t make much but I’m sure anything will help him with an easier life ❤

[@artetvdocumentary]

Unfortunately, as a public broadcaster, we cannot give information about making a donation. However, you are free to search for the relevant party online.

[@sean13]

Let me know if you find info. Let’s do a gofundme or I’ll go and make a video and ask for donations

[@LocaJBiggs]

@@sean13 looks like the only people they provide the info of is the user and they suggest giving donations to the filmmakers which I don’t trust

[@LocaJBiggs]

@@sean13 let me know if u find anything as well

[@mr.not.so.perfect.666]

I agree. If the 88,000 people (as of the 21st March 2024) that viewed this video even just gave 1 cent each, that is still $880, more than the kid would make in 540 days of work.

[@joeyl6911]

OMG as a Filipino American, this hurts to see but also makes me feel proud that many Filipino's work hard and strive not be be bums. Unlike here is the USA they are contempt to get the help from the government. Sad just to buy rice and meat with all the hard work. When I visit the PI I make sure I tip the less fortunate well and to see their true appreciation it makes me feel good. God Bless you all in PI

[@Sandlin22]

There are plenty of bums in every country. Don't pretend every Filipino is represented by the people working in this video.

[@chrisnathan7686]

As a Filipino who lives here in US and showing this to my kids it breaks my heart. I live close to that mining place in pracale and always heard news of miners dying.

[@raspybob9905]

And we all buy the gold and forget it 😢 what a world

[@stevenhull5025]

and don't forget the "blood" diamonds from Africa.

[@FrEeWaY7k]

terrifying, and what a crazy operation they got going under water.

[@ggie5195]

Its illegal tbh

[@dennismacwilliams196]

Might be, but it's how they servive.

[@josephfriedrich9792]

23:49 that auntie knows damn well shes buying bloodgold

[@bctpcp9546]

Ever since we as humans placed a value upon gold then we have done crazy and at many times dangerous things to obtain it. Nothing changes.

[@gullybull5568]

Gold is not the main currency and US IS BANKRUPT.

[@josephmedina6403]

Native Americans called it “ yellow iron”

[@joebudi5136]

Thats crazy what they do under water. Wow.

[@knan75]

Heartbreaking to see children exposed to such danger. 😢

[@RRRRR5202]

And we have everything .... and thats not enough for us ....

[@missy183]

God bless you all. 🙏❤❤❤

[@user-jn4lq1gv9c]

Inspirational video

[@mikehuddleston8875]

I was gutting fish making making 100 bucks a day back in 1986 when I was 6 so I could afford to buy all my fishing gear and some cloths from Fields a knick of Zellers store, I have so much respect for these kids.

[@vansiang9146]

God bless their family🙏

[@simontempler3239]

May God bless and watch over these people .

[@bulufish8208]

May the Lord Jesus Christ protect 🙏 these kids.

[@SA-pj6tu]

Just breaking heart 😢such a injustice in the world 😭

[@brad2548]

Why does the gold they mine sell for so much less than the world markets pay. Here in the USA it sells for over $2000 per ounce. 28 grams. $71.42 per gram. Its absolutely criminal. Unfair. Unjust to pay these people such small amounts. If they hold there gold for a fair buyer the thieves giving them such small amounts per gram will find out whats fair. 😢God bless these poor people

[@oceanchaser]

that kid is awesome what a strong young man he is. I have so much respect for him. A lot of young people i know could not anywhere near do something like that that kid got some serious courage walking along the bottom of the ocean and do hard labor incredible. But so he can eat some rice he should get so much more than that.

[@DejaVuDejaVuDejaVu]

1 grain of rice is worth 4,175 dollars or 3,85 Euro, so that woman should share much more if she had a warm heart to those poor children who risk everything, and do every step of the job.

[@drinksum1000]

How can I find this family please somebody let me know I wanna give them something to help

[@STELIN_DSOUZA]

We must be grateful to God because we atleast have a job and food

[@stevenhull5025]

Why is it all about GOD??? Did you know the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenatan was the one who banned worship to all other "GODS"?? He was the Pharaoh who brought in the practice of worshiping only ONE God. So my question is this. Whose GOD are you referring too??

[@STELIN_DSOUZA]

@stevenhull5025 fyki god has no name nor face but we worship in different names and faces

[@chrishan9138]

8 hours hauling 450kg of rocks off the ocean floor by hand for an average of 1g of gold split 10 ways and worth only 50% of the spot price in takehome, presumably after operating costs and discounts of selling to middlemen. That works out at 0.05g of gold for an 8 hour underwater shift on oily compressor air.

[@LordGovernor420]

High quality content, all I have to say is wow

[@DarronSmithBahamianMillionaire]

Wow what a life that some live and we have kids that are not appreciative when they have a car and can choose what to eat every day and some who can only have hard rice and coffee to get back to work. May God protect these little children and preserve them for when his Kingdom comes. These are the kids and families that really need help and so little can go so far for them.

[@Svg784p]

This breaks my heart 😢

[@Prankco06]

I feel more blessed for myself after watching this 🙂

[@jamesg5001]

why does the Dad not do all the mercury part? Guy is using the kid

[@Itzkoatl]

Probably they did themselves to make the documentary more interesting, and also they may be learning to do it in case the father is not longer there, but yes... hopefully the father is doing it too.

[@gregnicolaas2770]

God bless and protect them

[@MysteryMan404]

Long live the Philippino people

[@alexromero6577]

Wow great doc ❤

[@user-ib5mx8ro4k]

If they can run a compressor they can just as easily run a pump. Probably easier to run a pump to keep the water level down to a level that allows them to avoid digging under water.

[@existentialnihil]

Thinking like this is what we need more of

[@BIasterXD]

tbf, they made $1.80 a day. the fuel probably cost more than that.

[@CheezburgerBrown]

cheaper to run the compressor. the pump will consume too much fuel, and it'll lose a lot of the gold, too.

[@mikemessina6710]

I wish they would start a go-fund for these poor kids so they could go to school and be a kid. :(

[@antlou123]

I feel sorry for these kids. They shouldn't have to go through these hardships. I really hope that the higher power will always guide them and bring them luck in finding the big one.

[@sopamarucha2388]

I look at these videos and see how fortunate i am to have a beautiful family, 3 meals a day, health, a roof over us and a job. God forgive me for being ungrateful!!

[@pwrman5000]

Wild documentary.

[@jasonrich9249]

I’m praying for you Dennis 🫡🫶🏾🙏🏾

[@jupiterlegaspi7528]

Tough decision by the 2 families. Work or starve. I hope new opportunities come their way ❤

[@yl1896]

❤ I'm having a hard time finding the words to express what I feel. I send my love to this beautiful brave child.❤❤❤❤❤

[@kpbizzle_gaming]

Philippine gov should take notes on this documentary. Food and transpiration should be free for school!! I grew up in the Philippines and I know how hard it is. Shout out to my peoples! Stay strong!

[@dean4817]

Yep puts thing's into perspective.

[@RocketDog73]

Fascinating - the ingenuity of mankind is truly remarkable.

[@seunojerinde]

This is mind-blowing ❤😮

[@khayelihlezungu7623]

Do the people filming these stories leave something for these families

[@edonisi]

2 grams 6 euro ,wow. In global market price for 1 gram is aroun 70$

[@PhotoStoryChannel]

This is supercool documentary

[@ruizegot2766]

Air compressor can make a person with decompression sickness and this is really dangerous... Once am one of the financier for this small scale mining in the area,but I stood to stop it because of various reasons, unfair trading for gold was the first reason... Middle men usually has the biggest profits and didn't care about the affairs of the small and poor people that risk their life for the hand to mouth survival in the area...😢😢😢 Seeing this documentary reminds us how this precious yellow metal is all about between the Rich and Famous, and the Poor and Less Fortunate People... it's an EYE OPENER to all of us....

[@simoneaton1977]

These children are working hard for their families but I don’t see this as pure child labor as they are trying to do what their fathers, grandfathers did, and more that they believe they should support their families. However still a very tough life.

[@quintenharding4388]

Lol I bet your satanic ass has a gold ring an necklaces, the reality is your happy luxurious existence is built off the backs of modern day slavery, weather you want to admit it or not wearing these Slave made products makes you a border line slave owner.

[@alreadythen1]

That’s so impressive.

[@kathymcgirt8944]

And at the center of it all, the people who live rich off those kids’ suffering.

[@charmaineartigo5731]

Nice documentary

[@thegroove2000]

Thank you and I am sending positive energy for them to be able to one day grab the haul of a lifetime.

[@AS-xi9df]

Hi this was filmed last year and the cousin of the kid in this video found over 4 thousand euros worth of gold in a day and he has bought a much better house with two floors and ot has tv with DVD payer etc and many other items they normally would not have loke kettle a big generator etc im glad for the family all that hard work has paid off literally 👍

[@thegroove2000]

WOW.@@AS-xi9df

[@PTQ4Q4Q4Q4]

This is nuts, poor kids, that looks so bloody scary.

[@stevenhull5025]

and in the West kids wet the bed when they see a shadow on the wall.

[@aminahforever4277]

May God Almighty protect these poor children as their parents do not know how to protect them!

[@Hitman28o7]

lol What? Did you even watch the same video? Its not their parents do not know how to protect them. Its because they live in poverty. Its sad. If they do not go to the mines and help, their family goes with out food.

[@aminahforever4277]

@@Hitman28o7 I watched the whole video! I grew up in a gold mining company. Our parents worked so hard to feed, clothed and sent us to school. Child abuse is so rampant amongst the poor! It is not right!

[@kicunghartono1]

despite this is documentary, the picture quality is good

[@mrsseasea]

19:20 omg….this mom …she needs to go find that nugget…..and support her kids! Good god

[@wandamiller4473]

I feel so bad for that whole family to all of them. It's sad that kind of life we are so blessed

[@techibabe]

all that work $6 euros x 2..wow. I'm grateful for my life. Thank you for making us aware of other humans. God bless everyone.

[@Troyyy1993]

These buyers are making a killing robbing these people blind… a gram of gold goes for 69 dollars..

[@Shoop...]

Every rich person gets there by robbing others blind. There are very few exceptions.

[@jclc4201]

Its so easy for these channels to have documentaries and say that things should be stopped here and there, but in reality these channels does not know how hard things are in these areas. Why not make a documentary and have foreign help come and help these children not just film these encounters and leave.

[@mikethomas3069]

Why foreign help ???? People need to help people in there own community first.. no different than me chucking hay at 13 years old in 100°heat.

[@blackpanther788]

That’s because the agencies that receive donations keep most of the money and donate only to political groups- not the actual things in need!

[@user-fs3bd1ls5k]

​@mikethomas3069 this guy who made this documentary will get money from this video

[@mikethomas3069]

I'm talking about these people who live there asking for foreign help. We need to help our vets and protect our borders and help our Allies before we help them

[@r.ccustomtruckingsydneyaus4632]

um because then people will exploit them worse then em selfs. thats how big business takes over your land your profit your life. . a little unorthodoxed at using a air compressor for their air supply tho. sucking on fumes flowing through that air line from the oil used to lubricate the pump. but ahy he making money an more important food for his mother and father. over there its different to how you grew up or i for that matter . so just go back to being queen key board warrior o.k 😂😂

[@ricksticksgaming]

Going down into the mud hole. Hell no. Scarey stuff. I thought the mum was very smart when she said she hoped to find a enough gold to buy a motor for their boat to collect nipa palm faster to weave and sell. That seems so much safer, profitable and reliable. Great video all in all.

[@Crackitify]

the scale may be rigged look how it's slightly shifted

[@zeddy7458]

That was really interesting

[@ryanhenro7649]

That was way heavier than the gold itself...thankyou for sharing

[@rigorfiangrayan]

I think the value of gold now is not based on how precious it is but how hard to dig in for it.

[@miguelrage6810]

real documentary

[@victorfigueroa973]

The lady and her scale gave shady vibes. Super easy for her to set the scale to say in her favor. Bet she is winning.

[@nakimushi_jira]

Also, why is there so much f**king income disparity between her and the people who actually dive for gold ? She seems shady and probably has some insider deal with the gov…funny coincidence.

[@Sutsyvlog]

They are advantage they have good camera📷 under water very much advantages! Respect for their work

[@virtualdrudgery]

That lady's license was labeled "small-scale miner" but she doesn't even do mining!!! she's a trader, not a miner!

[@user-or4oj8bc1b]

Surely the camera man could have helped them!

[@Lil-D3]

Great show but very sad for the children

[@bonkersblock]

This kids also goes to school ! This is a right of passage! No social media! No TikTok! Only gold and schools!

[@stevenhull5025]

and no computer games either