Storytelling pulsates in the veins of young photographer

Photographs? I do love them! They invariably evoke feel-good emotions and forever-treasured memories. My home is curatorially littered — though by no means a gallery — by photos, all in various frames — from antique sterling silver to intricately woven fabrics. These are family milestones and sibling travel images, usually artistically captured by our youngest sister Honey, sans any professional training or course, yet reminds every one of the awesome works of Richard Avedon and Annie Leibovitz.

An exception is a special personalized and autographed photo by my dear old friend Joe Rosenthal, who gifted it to me over half a century ago during my days in Los Angeles.

For several decades, he was affiliated with the San Francisco Chronicle, founded in 1865 — a newspaper with top class journalism and reporters with in-depth views, investigative summaries, and trustworthy columnists — where he contributed thousands of pictures.

However, he is best remembered for Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, which is a never-to-be-forgotten image of five marines and a navy corpsman forcibly hoisting the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi. This represented the victory of the United States Armed Forces in the Battle of Iwo Jima, during the final moments of World War II.

This has been reprinted in thousands of publications and is one of the most recognizable images of the last global war. In 1945, the 33-year-old young photographer won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography for this historic shot. A single photograph captured the imagination and admiration of the world! This is storytelling at its very best.

So here I was, pondering, will the next generation, with all the new technologies at their disposal — though perhaps in less historic times — come up with photos that could still tell stories?

Then it came to mind: De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, an institution offering pioneer courses relevant today and tomorrow, offers the full-fledged Bachelor of Arts in Photography Program at the School of New Media Arts. I tapped professor Vik Peñas, who shared with me eight outstanding student-photographers and emerging talents, each with their own tales.

Let them tell their own narratives:

Hallvard Villa Cano

“Mahñi a Unayen is a photography series which examines the functional representation of the traditional clothing of the Ivatan people, an indigenous group from the northernmost islands of Batanes. Mahñi a Unayen is an Ivatan term that translates to resilient or adaptive Ivatan clothing. It not only refers to the attire itself but also reflects the broader concept of Ivatan resiliency — how the community adapts to the environmental conditions of the island. This single photo titled Mahñi du Mayet a Añin (Protective against strong typhoons) depicts tactile sturdiness of the vakul (Ivatan head gear and protection) and opens an intimate window into the Ivatan way of life.

“By replicating environmental situations within a studio setup, this study navigates how the garments respond to various environmental situations such as the punishing rain, strong winds, and harsh heat. Thus, the image provides the viewer an understanding of their functional design, adaptability, and purpose rather than just extending beyond mere aesthetic representation.”

Jillian Sy

“Looking back, there was one encounter which has stayed at the back of my mind. It was an old woman I came across during Undas at the far end of the Manila North Cemetery, while I was involved on both a personal project and a work assignment. Each time I passed her by, her heavy sighs and distant gaze spoke of a silent grief, seeking comfort alone before the tomb of a loved one. It was a vulnerable space, with the gust of wind as gentle as the rustling of the leaves, as if it was trying to console the grieving — though I suspected it might not have been the case. In that moment, it wasn’t just the act of taking a picture, but preserving that person’s presence and feeling in that space.”

Amiel Argosino

“My inspiration for this photo was my friend Elijah. He advised me to go for a different angle rather than from the usual, which is typically straight-on and top-down photos of the basketball players. I thought, why not emulate the NBA photos — low and wide angle. The shot came out great — as expected — knowing how explosive the players get near the ring.”

Elijah Lopez

“This photo is one of my all-time favorites from a shoot I had the privilege to be part of with Harvard WorldMUN. The anticipation leading up to this project was great; it was my first time doing a photo shoot at a high-end venue. The experience did not disappoint. This project now marks a significant part of my journey as a creative. It opened new opportunities for me and helped my potential, even in settings outside of my comfort zone.”

Josh Corbillon

“This photograph features Denisse Carla L. Almaden, a Benildean student in the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program. She is seen wearing a dress inspired by her late grandmother, Zenaida A. Laguinday, a seamstress who sparked Denisse’s passion for fashion. Taking the silhouette and pleating of Lola Zeny’s usual home attire and then beading it with her sewing materials and accessories, the dress serves as an archival piece filled with memorabilia. The photograph was shot in Lola Zeny’s apartment, showing the garments she made herself, the scattered leftover fabrics, her old sewing machine, and her framed photograph in the background. This piece of work serves as a memoir, honoring and celebrating the grandmother’s legacy and the impact she left on her family and friends.”

KC Batino

“The photograph captures a vibrant moment from the Higantes Festival in Angono, Rizal. These larger-than-life figures, dressed in colorful attires, are paraded through the streets, embodying cultural heritage and festivity. The image reflects my interest in capturing events that offer unique, fleeting moments — both spontaneous and full of energy — preserving the essence of the celebration.”

Keiron Tan

“This experimental analog film project is part of a work-in-progress series on being left behind in time, where a person cannot let go of the past when the rest of the world is continuously changing. The use of desaturation alludes to the subject existing as a relic — where he would interact with the decaying buildings as if they were in their prime condition. This idea was a loose experience of the artist’s losing memorable places in his youth, such as the demolition of his earliest school and the closure of his favorite eateries.”

Ruthlaine Tan

“This photograph captures a serene forest trail with autumn leaves, where deep greens contrast with warm reds and oranges. It remains one of my favorite works because it played an important role in my journey as a photographer. It was through this image that I realized the power of photography — to preserve fleeting moments of beauty that might otherwise go unnoticed by other people. Looking back, this piece continues to remind me why I chose to pursue photography professionally.”

¡Enhorabuena! to all the young photographers!

Note: Special thanks to OIC Photography chairperson Brian Bravo.