Museo sa Konsulado Balintataw: Sulyap sa mga Alon
A Reflection on My Solo Photo Exhibit at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai
In September 2025, I had the privilege of presenting my solo photo exhibit, “Balintataw: Sulyap sa mga Alon,” at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai -the 8th installment of its cultural diplomacy initiative, Museo sa Konsulado. Held at Rizal Hall from September 12 to October 2, 2025, the exhibit formed part of the celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo), themed “Nagkakaisang Kapuluan, Panatag na Karagatan.”
It was an unforgettable milestone, one that filled me with deep gratitude and pride. Through this exhibition, I hoped to share my perspective as a photographer whose roots and inspiration are bound to the sea. Balintataw: Sulyap sa mga Alon which translates to “Through the Eye: A Glimpse of the Waves”, emerged from my desire to capture the beauty and spirit of my hometown, Puerto Galera. Each image became a portal to the stories of the ocean-its calm, rhythm, and vitality.
The collection was not merely a display of photographs but a visual narrative told through light, motion, and texture. Every frame carried the essence of home, golden mornings that touched the shore, boats gently rocking on the tide, and the vivid dance of life beneath the water’s surface. Watching visitors pause before each piece, I felt a quiet sense of fulfilment, hoping they, too, could sense the same reverence and connection that I experience each time I look through my lens.
Beyond its artistic purpose, It’s also an invitation to awareness -a call to cherish and protect our oceans. The sea has long sustained lives and livelihoods, especially for coastal communities like ours in Puerto Galera. Through my work, I aspired to evoke both admiration for nature’s beauty and mindfulness of our shared responsibility to preserve it for generations to come.
Looking back, the exhibit stands as a meaningful chapter in my journey as an artist. It allowed me to represent both my homeland and my advocacy for marine conservation within the Filipino community in Dubai. I remain profoundly thankful to the Philippine Consulate General for their trust and support, and to every visitor who took time to reflect and connect with the stories woven into my photographs.
Balintataw: Sulyap sa mga Alon will always be a celebration of art, memory, and the enduring bond between people and the sea. A gentle reminder that wherever we may be, the rhythm of the waves continues to echo the spirit of home.
