The Manila Bulletin’s annual Earth + Lens photo exhibit returned this year with fresh images and renewed purpose, once again proving that a photograph can carry both artistry and advocacy.
With the theme “Through the Filipino Eyes,” a gallery of striking images for Earth + Lens 2025 was on display at the Maynila Ballroom of the Manila Hotel in August 28, 2025. Mounted by Manila Bulletin in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Huawei, the exhibit highlighted iconic landscapes and landmarks, as well as heritage, traditions, and daily lives that shape Filipino identity.
“Our goal [for launching this event] is simple yet profound: to remind everyone of the beauty of our environment and why it is worth protecting. Through the powerful combination of photography and storytelling, we hope to inspire a deeper love for our country and a stronger commitment to safeguard it for generations to come,” Manila Bulletin president Emil Yap III, who opened the evening.
Storytelling through images
Every photograph displayed was taken using Huawei’s latest flagship phones, the Pura 80 Series. Among the featured photographers were conservationist and National Geographic Explorer Gab Mejia, Jim De Ramos, and Manila Bulletin content producers John Louie Abrina, Jaime Misalucha Jr., and Santi San Juan.
A special highlight was a set of works from acclaimed Filipino artist Kublai Millan, whose overseas images added another layer of perspective to the showcase.
Mejia, who has spent years documenting the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss, spoke about his campaign journey in Zamboanga del Sur and Rizal. His talk touched on his personal connection to nature and how he sought to reframe the Filipino story through his images.
“I always remember how lucky I am to be a Filipino who realizes how rich our natural and cultural heritage is right here,” Mejia said. “Using the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra allowed me to be really versatile and dynamic in how it just integrates and flows with the craft I have as a photographer.”
Advocacy and pride
The DOT has been a consistent supporter of Earth + Lens, seeing in the exhibit not just art but also a platform to champion local tourism. In her message, tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco underscored the event’s deeper resonance.
“Earth + Lens invites all of us to see the Philippines from the lens of pride and patriotism,” Frasco said during the event. “Featuring not only our beautiful landscapes, but also our rich heritage, our proud culture, and the beauty and resilience of our people.”
She went on to emphasize how exhibits like these remind Filipinos of what unites them. “It reminds us that despite the things that we may hold in opposition, there is and will always be that which brings us together and unites us as Filipinos—our love of country, our rich heritage, our deep wealth of culture, and our pride as Filipinos.”
The night also marked the exclusive Philippine launch of the Huawei Pura 80 base model. Ernest Ortega, product expert of Huawei Philippines, introduced the new device, which features the industry’s first Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera and a powerful 50MP 1-inch Ultra Lighting HDR main camera. The Pura 80 Series was the official tool for all the participating photographers, demonstrating how mobile technology has become a credible medium for professional-level work.
As Manila Bulletin positions Earth + Lens as a platform for advocacy as much as art, the photographs on display reminded guests of the country’s fragile beauty and the importance of preserving it.
For Yap, that message is central. He said: “The amazing exhibit inspired us all to see, to hear, and to act so that future generations may continue to enjoy the beauty we celebrate here.”
