After last year’s highlight on the beauty of Philippine Forests, the Manila Bulletin’s annual Earth+Lens photo exhibit returns this year to unfold ethereal images of landscapes, wildlife, and sceneries. Previously raising awareness for forest protection through the micro and macro elements of the Philippine forests, this year’s exhibit will not only showcase the majestic nature the country has, but also the scenes that tell stories on how life forms sway with nature.
With its continuing goal in raising public awareness and understanding of the featured environmental-related issues, Manila Bulletin’s Earth+Lens features the earth’s best and captivating moments through the lens of a camera. This year’s theme, Motions in Nature, will showcase the movements in nature both its natural flow and element’s motion.
Partnering stakeholders aligned with Manila Bulletin’s mission, the Earth+Lens 2024 will be mounted on a larger venue, longer display duration and more enthralling photos. Since 2019, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has strongly supported this campaign in sharing the beauty of the Philippines and eco-tourism. Along with the DOT is the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to help put forward the campaign through the art form of photography. The National Museum of the Philippines will also be this year’s official venue partner to host the exhibit, and HUAWEI, the long-time and the official smartphone photography partner for this year.
Similar to the previous partnerships, HUAWEI powered the roster of content producers with tools to showcase new and fresh nature photos using its latest flagship phone, HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra and Pura 70 Pro. The innovative Pura 70 Series continues the brand’s exceptional photography feature where advanced camera capabilities were put to test in creating stunning visual storytelling.
Staying true to the campaign’s core mission, the promising photos captured by the partner photographers are printed on fabric canvas using eco-solvent ink similar to last year, to promote sustainability as part of its campaign.
The partner photographers traversed through various stunning locations across the Philippines to take breathtaking images.
Jan Mayo, a new partner this year and a professional portrait photographer, explored the lush greenery and diverse flora of the UP Arboretum in Quezon City. He also ventured through Bohol, capturing its unique wildlife. His works show a wide-ranging fauna, from a turtle gliding underwater to a tarsier perched upright on a tree. Silver Belen, a partner photographer since 2022, delved into the hidden beauty of Banaue, Ifugao. Silver’s keen eye captured both the minute details of movements in nature and the sweeping landscapes found in the community, providing a glimpse into Banaue’s lesser-discovered wonders.
The enchanting centuries-old stone houses, white sandy beaches, and green mountains of Batanes were artfully captured by Noel Pabalate, Manila Bulletin’s photojournalist and a longtime partner photographer of the exhibit. Pabalate has crafted a visual narrative that highlights the magnificent life and stillness in the island. Keith Bacongco, also one of the longest partners of the exhibit, journeyed into the landscapes, skies, and waters of Burauen, Leyte, and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. The images he has taken provide a vivid representation of the magnificence of the flora and fauna in the lesser-explored destinations in the region.
Catch more of their breathtaking works, captured through the newest HUAWEI Pura 70 series, which will be displayed at the Hyundai Philippines Entrance Hall of the National Museum of Natural History in Manila.
The on-ground activity comes back on August 20 which will run until September 1, with Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens and partner organizations to officially launch the event.
Discover the motions of nature in the country’s hidden gems through the photo displays. Visitors can explore these breathtaking images, open to the public from Tuesdays to Sundays.