Beyond the lush greenery and calming ocean waves, the 2025 edition of the Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens highlights iconic sights that reflect not only the country’s visual beauty but also the Filipino spirit and identity associated with each, championing the preservation of natural and cultural landmarks while promoting responsible tourism in both urban and rural areas. Previously, the theme revolved around the movements in nature, both its natural flow and elements’ motion, revealing nature’s rhythm that tells compelling stories.

This year, the Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens will display the majestic wonders of the Philippines through the eyes of those who know it best — its people. The 2025 edition will feature thrilling images of iconic landmarks, an energizing Filipino crowd and events, places that reflect Filipino identity, and the country after sunset, becoming an avenue to further brighten the spotlight that the narratives already have. The exhibit also aims to amplify the initiatives on empowering and raising awareness on preserving historical and cultural landmarks and echoing the call for responsible urban and rural tourism.

To be displayed on August 28, 2025, at the Maynila Ballroom of the monumental Manila Hotel, the exhibit underscores the power of the Filipino crowd through immortalized stage energy with a zoomed-in gaze. It will also highlight the people and places that truly define Filipinos, which are the essence of home and identity. A feature on stunning nighttime photos, proof that the country’s brightness even after the sun sets, is also not to be missed.

The new roster of photographers was invited to take astounding photos across the country to share new eyes and perspectives this year. Gabriel Mejia, a Filipino National Geographic explorer and environmental engineer, uses his photography skills to tell stories that address climate change and biodiversity loss. His works have moved different audiences after being widely published in outlets like Vogue and National Geographic.

Also joining this year’s Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens is Jim De Ramos, a professional sports photographer who specializes in taking dynamic moments from a wide range of sports, including e-sports and high-contract games. Aside from capturing defining sports events, De Ramos features the talents of young Filipino athletes through his works as a photographer and videographer.

Manila Bulletin photojournalists also brought in new insights with Santi San Juan, John Louie Abrina, and Jaime Misalucha Jr.’s fresh takes on documenting the Philippines’ identity. The exhibit’s partner photographers captured diverse landscapes, tournaments, sceneries, and the people’s daily lives, reflecting the spirit and heritage of being a Filipino, crafted into visual narratives that captures its audiences with its enthralling stories.

To put the event forward, the Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens 2025 collaborated with different organizations that share the same vision. The Department of Tourism (DOT) continues its unwavering support of this campaign, not only to showcase the beauty of the Philippines and promote eco-tourism, but to join the call for the committed preservation of natural and cultural landmarks of the country.

Together with the DOT, the Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens’ long-standing official smartphone photography partner, HUAWEI, joins this year’s exhibit to fuel the lineup of content producers. Using their latest flagship smartphone, HUAWEI Pura 80 Series, the partner photographers were able to capture detailed shots of night scenes, intricate elements of landscapes, and fast-moving action shots.

This newest smartphone innovation from HUAWEI introduces the industry’s first Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera combined with a rear 50MP 1-inch Ultra Lighting HDR main camera, a 40MP, f/2.2 Ultra-Wide Angle camera, and an Ultra Chroma camera. With this year’s exhibit, HUAWEI Pura 80 Series’ Ultra Lighting Macro Telephoto, Ultra-Wide Angle, 100x digital zoom, 3.7x, and 9.4x optical zoom features were put to test, demonstrating HUAWEI’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of mobile photography.

Through the years, the Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens exhibit has been powered by HUAWEI and its continuous advancement of flagship smartphones that elevate mobile photography. Since the launch of the HUAWEI P20 Series in 2018, Manila Bulletin has partnered with HUAWEI in showcasing stories through the lens of a camera and encouraging individuals to capture the treasures of the country without limitations.

Get a first-hand feel of the power of mobile photography with HUAWEI Pura 80 Series available in all leading stores nationwide and on HUAWEI’s official Shopee and Lazada platforms.