The annual Earth+Lens photo exhibit by Manila Bulletin has become more than just a showcase of stunning images — it’s a visual advocacy. Now on its latest edition, the exhibit continues its mission of telling powerful stories through photography, all while celebrating the beauty of nature and promoting awareness around its preservation.

Held on August 28 at the Manila Hotel’s elegant Maynila Ballroom, this year’s unveiling brought together key partners including the Department of Tourism (DOT) and HUAWEI. The event highlighted a curated collection of photographs that reflect the rich cultural and natural landscapes of the Philippines.

With the theme “Through the Filipino Eyes,” Earth+Lens 2025 puts the spotlight on how Filipinos see and experience their own country — authentic, vibrant, and deeply rooted in heritage. Each image speaks volumes about the country’s diverse beauty and the importance of protecting both its ecological treasures and cultural landmarks.

More than an art exhibit, Earth+Lens serves as a call to action — promoting responsible tourism and encouraging everyone to see the Philippines not just as a destination, but as a home worth preserving.

“This event would not be possible without the support of our partners. To Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco of the Department of Tourism, thank you for championing our country’s natural wonders. And to HUAWEI Philippines, we are grateful for your innovation that empowers artists and storytellers to capture and share these powerful images,” says Dr. Emil Yap III, president of Manila Bulletin.

All images displayed were taken using a smartphone, captured by the new roster of esteemed partner photographers including Gab Mejia, Jim De Ramos, and Manila Bulletin content producers, John Louie Abrina, Jaime Misalucha Jr., and Santi San Juan. A special feature on the enthralling images taken overseas by world-renowned Filipino artist Kublai Millan was also presented, adding depth and prestige to the event.

By sharing his campaign journey in Zamboanga del Sur and Rizal province, professional photographer and multimedia artist Gab Mejia, made the event more meaningful and discussed how his experiences reflect the vision of the project. He also shared how the latest flagship smartphone from HUAWEI allowed him to capture the intricate beauty of the country and what makes it,  in exceptional detail.

National Geographic Explorer Gab Mejia

“I always remember how lucky I am to be a Filipino who realizes how rich our natural and cultural heritage is right here, that there are just so much stories that we can discover. 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,” Mejia shared during his talk.

United by a shared vision of promoting the country’s natural wonders, the MB Earth+Lens 2025 continues its long-standing partnership with DOT. In line with this collaboration, the DOT reaffirms its commitment to supporting the exhibit—a campaign that strongly echoes the “Love the Philippines” message, inspiring Filipinos to honor their heritage while looking ahead to the future, guided by the enduring virtues and values of being Filipino.

Long time  brand partner HUAWEI, the official smartphone photography partner,  the roster of content producers throughout their photo sessions in the country. With its latest flagship smartphone — the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series, the brand continues its hallmark in terms of  advancement in smartphone technologies. The HUAWEI Pura 80 Series enabled the featured photographers to capture striking images with stunning clarity and detail.

Photo by John Louie Abrina using HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro

Photo by Jaime Misalucha Jr. using HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro

Ernest Ortega, product expert of HUAWEI Philippines, shares details of the all new HUAWEI Pura80, marking its official product launch in the country

An exclusive launch for the HUAWEI Pura 80 was also the highlight of the evening where Ernest Ortega, product expert of HUAWEI Philippines, introduced the base version of the Pura 80 series with preorder that starts August 29. This newest smartphone innovation from HUAWEI Pura 80 Series 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. Its Ultra Lighting Macro Telephoto, Ultra-Wide Angle, 100x digital zoom, 3.7x, and 9.4x optical zoom features were put to test with this year’s exhibit.

HUAWEI’s XMAGE Awards also welcomes participants to showcase their unique perspectives on a global stage. Learn more by visiting https://consumer.huawei.com/en/campaign/xmage/

Earth+Lens 2025 invites everyone to explore the country’s treasures with no boundaries in creativity and continue to pursue its beauty with purpose and responsibility.