Earlier Photographs from the Philippines
My journey into photography began as a simple hobby. I was curious about the world around me and wanted a way to preserve the people, places, and everyday moments that caught my attention.
My first camera was a Fujifilm point-and-shoot. It was simple, but it taught me that photography was not only about the camera—it was about learning to notice. Later, I moved to a Canon and eventually experimented with different digital and film cameras. Each one gave me a new way to work with light, composition, colour, and timing.
The streets of Manila and Marikina became some of my earliest subjects. I photographed ordinary life: busy roads, quiet neighbourhoods, local shops, familiar faces, and scenes that most people might pass without noticing. Looking back, these photographs remind me how much beauty and meaning can be found in everyday surroundings.
Photography also travelled with me to other parts of the Philippines—from Bohol and Cebu to Bicol and beyond. Every place had its own character, from the landscapes and architecture to the people and rhythms of daily life. I was not simply documenting destinations; I was learning to see my own country more closely.
These earlier photographs may not always be technically perfect, but they remain meaningful to me. They capture the beginning of a lifelong interest and a time when I was still discovering what photography could be.
More than anything, they remind me that every photographer starts somewhere—with curiosity, a camera, and the desire to hold on to a moment before it disappears.
