A college class on photography and photojournalism opened my eyes to depicting different views of people, places and events through the lens of a camera.
I started to learn photojournalism at a small newspaper called The Gold Ore in northern Philippines. After a few years, in 1984, I was hired by United Press International.
In 1983, after opposition leader Benigno Aquino was assassinated, there were lots of protests in the Philippines. That’s where I learnt, through the mentoring of the chief photographer at UPI.
I believe there is always a best picture for each individual story, but because of the technology now we can show more pictures than we could back in the 1980s.
I get inspiration from the story itself, my family, and my loved ones.
I love to cook and watch the sunset from my beach house.
The biggest frustration of the job is missing pictures for reasons beyond your control.
I respect my fellow photojournalists. We have a common feeling when we triumph and get good pictures that are published.
Photography, photojournalism and my cameras have been my passion and my life. I think I will be a photographer to the end.
