the last LETTER

Why does the world tell Geloy Concepcion their secrets? Vogue Philippines sits down with the photographer to talk about a project that will last as long as people trust him with their thoughts.

- PATRICIA VILLORIA

IN MANILA, EVERYONE TALKS TO YOU LIKE THEY’VE KNOWN YOU FOR AGES. Weaving through the busy alleys of the Dangwa flower market, it’s apparent. Linger at a stall a second too long and its owner might convince you to bring a small bouquet home (or maybe more if they’re really good).

That is how Geloy Concepcion finds himself looking at tulips inside a florist’s cold room tucked in one of the flower shops in the area. After casually chatting with a florist along Dimasalang street, their conversation somehow led them to a detour to see the flowers hidden in a huge cooler. Walking out with nothing in hand, Geloy laughs. “At least nakita na natin kung ano nasa loob ng mga ito, ’di ba!” (“At least we got to see what’s inside these things, right?”) He’s used to situations like this.

Growing up in Manila, surrounded by carefree, blunt, but hospitable talkers of all kinds molded Geloy’s work as a portrait photographer and an artist for many years. His online persona always feels familiar, even to strangers. It’s also why so many people from around the world trust him with their closely kept secrets.

After migrating to the United States in 2017, he began a project to dispose of old film photos that had been piling up from his work as a photographer. Feeling lonely and struggling with his family to adjust to a new country so far away from home, he was thinking of ways to reach out to the world from his small room. On his social media account he posted one question for his friends to see: What are things you wanted to say but never did?