DAILY lives and culture of the Manobo and Talaandig tribes of Pangantucan, Bukidnon were featured in Xavier University's annual photo exhibit, “Lansad Onse” held at the ground floor of Centrio Ayala Mall last Wednesday, February 20.
Now in its 11th year, “Lansad Onse” showcased the stories of the people living in Pangantucan town through the photos taken by first year Development Community (DevCom) students of Xavier.
"More than applying the learning that they have about photography, it’s basically using photography to advocate for something which is, this time, is to showcase Pangantucan," Marvin Pamisa, photography laboratory instructor in Xavier University, said.
"We're also bringing the idea that every batch is a new batch of photographers. Another level up skill, determination, and passion to really use photography for development. Because in the DevCom program at Xavier, we always advocate for students to become socially aware and using photography for development is just one thing," he added.
The 54 first year DevCom students spent the three days of their immersion in Pangantucan learning the lives of its people while capturing them in their photographs to be presented in a wider audience in Cagayan de Oro City.
"We're really grateful that we're given this chance to showcase different communities every year because it is not usually people promote places that are unknown," said John Al Joshua Delos Reyes, the project head of Lansad.
"So this is a great chance for us not just to promote tourism but also a great chance to let people know the realities of different communities and I think that's what makes this project special," he added.
The photo exhibit, consists of more than 100 colored photographs, is divided into four chapters that depicted different kinds of stories of the community of Pangantucan: Glint, Tranquility, Resilience and Hope.
According to Pamisa, the best photo will be picked in each of the chapters through two voting systems: from the choices of the professors in their department and the people's choice for best photo.
"I really hope that people would really appreciate more what Philippines can offer. For instance, the Pangantucan, it really has so much to offer, the places, the people, the culture," Delos Reyes said.
"And I really believe that we should invest in travelling to those places that we haven't heard and to get to know their people, to get to know their stories and think of ways or interventions on what we can do to help them," he added.
“Lansad Onse” photo exhibit culminated last Friday, February 22.