In the Spotlight

Internationally renowned photographer Fernando Manso veers away from his distinct tranquil and romantic photography to capture a sector of society that deserves much more recognition

- Franz Sorilla IV and Anton San Diego

Acclaimed Spanish photographer Fernando Manso has been widely praised for elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary in his distinct photography without being too surrealistic. Marked by his masterful command of light, Manso’s photos (taken using a large format analog camera) offer a romantic, nostalgic and even poetic outlook on reality.

About five years ago, his partner Bea Zobel, Jr asked him: “Fer, why don’t you try to get some different pictures for your career? Everything seems so romantic and peaceful, with quiet landscapes and architecture. Why don’t you try something with [big] production and [avant-garde] concept?”

This propelled Manso to fly again to the Philippines and capture several Filipinos in their places of work. From north to south, he shot men working at the pier, farm, market, and more. But perhaps the most striking in this series was his photographs in Cebu, featuring transwomen wearing campy couture made by esteemed fashion designer Cary Santiago while at public locations.

Bold, daring, and showstopping. Indeed, the on-location shoot, which spanned one week, has made time stop. Manso’s juxtapositions have become more prominent, while the pop of colours from Santiago’s creations gave the photographs vibrancy. But most importantly, the ladies who posed for hours have added a new meaning to Cebu’s moniker, “the Queen City of the South”. With much pride and joy, Manso highlighted the diversity and social realities in the country’s population with his Filipinas series.