It was an event only a multimillion-dollar Hollywood film could have created. But the cataclysmic images broadcast worldwide are real. Much more the numbers. More than 5,000 casualties. Over 25,000 injured. Nearly 2,000 still missing. And almost 250,000 left homeless. The most recent estimates pegged the total loss to property and agriculture at P24.5 billion.
For all those who survived, it was a deep trauma.
While most purged their closets, raided supermarket shelves or wrote out checks, and still others gave their time to pack relief goods, or used their talent to raise funds, PHOTOGRA.PH—a camera club of avid amateurs and prominent professional photographers—decided, in a snap, to mount “Kisapmata para sa Pag-asa,” a photo exhibit that opens tomorrow at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall Atrium.
“Kisapmata para sa Pag-asa” features rare photographs from private collections of the who’s who in Philippine photography—Ben Nollora, Bien Bautista, Edwin Tuyay, George Tapan, Ibarra Deri, Jun Barrameda, Rene Ner, Romy Vitug, Wig Tysmans and the late Dick Baldovino, recognized as the dean of Philippine photography.
The exhibit is also dedicated to one of this project’s original prime movers, veteran photographer Bobot Meru, who passed away two weeks ago and whose works are included in the gallery.
“Kisapmata para sa Pag-asa” is supported as well by a talented lineup of amateur photographers: Adel Samson, Alex Lichaytoo, Alan Dacanay, Fr. Basil Apostol, Bob Colombo, Boy Rotea, Derick Gamboa, Dominic Velasco, Emy Arcilla, Enchong Formoso, Mario Hernandez, Raul Bautista, Roy del Valle, Tony Alunan and guest photographers Ed de Guzman, Little Wing Luna, Oliver Zapa and Romel Velasco.
The event is presented by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. with Canon Philippines and Duty Free Philippines. All proceeds will be used to fund rehabilitation projects in typhoon-affected areas.
