The countdown to one of the most significant milestones in Asian photography has officially begun.
On June 6, the Camera Club of the Philippines hosted a by-invitation-only launch for “Landscapes, Your Land, Our Land: A Prelude to the Camera Club of the Philippines Centennial.” This exclusive exhibition serves as the opening chapter of a curated series leading up to the historic society’s one 100th anniversary in 2028.
Founded in 1928, the Camera Club of the Philippines holds the distinction of being the oldest photography society in the country and stands as one of the most enduring, continuously operating photographic organizations globally.
For nearly a century, its roster of visual storytellers has chronicled the changing topography, evolving culture and soul of the archipelago.
In his address marking the opening, Camera Club of the Philippines President Paul Resurreccion issued a call to renewed energy, purpose and pride within the local photography community. He emphasized that the exhibition bridges the club’s storied past with its modern role in the visual arts, serving as both a public statement and a communal milestone.
“As the Camera Club of the Philippines moves toward its centennial in 2028, Your Land, Our Land stands as one of our early public-facing exhibitions reflecting both our history and our continuing relevance in contemporary photography,” Resurreccion stated. “Landscape photography has always occupied a special place within the Club’s tradition, allowing photographers not only to document place, but also to express memory, identity and a sense of belonging through the image.”
He further noted that the collection functions as a “shared visual conversation about land, environment, culture, and perspective.”
According to Resurreccion, the exhibition serves as “a celebration of the enduring power of photography to connect people through images that are deeply personal yet universally understood.”
He concluded his opening remarks by stating, “We thank our members, partners, and guests for supporting this important moment for the Club as we begin the road to our centennial.”
Expanding on this vision of unity and artistic pride, the president’s speech heavily centered on gratitude and the quiet stewardship that brings such monumental cultural endeavors to life.
The landscape exhibition is currently open to the public at the Antonio Gallery, located on the fourth floor of Century City Mall in Makati City.
Adding deeper artistic context, exhibition curator and print director Red Ognita, a professionally certified studio partner and former Ilford Master, explained that the selection reflects both personal and collective visions of place, memory and environment.
Ognita stated that the show explores the enduring power of landscape photography as both document and interpretation, moving seamlessly between the natural and urban, as well as the intimate and the monumental. He underscored that the exhibition serves as a vital reflection on the continuing role of photography in shaping cultural memory and visual identity across the Philippines.
While landscape photography is often associated with static panoramic vistas, the club’s curation reframes the genre entirely. The organizers deliberately selected landscapes as the theme for this premier exhibition because they represent beginnings.
For generations of image makers, the landscape has served as the ultimate proving ground. It showcases how the craft teaches patience, environmental observation, composition, and timing while challenging photographers to see beyond the obvious to discover meaning within light, weather, terrain and space.
This dedication is reflected in the club’s long standing tradition of exploration where members have traveled across the Philippines through On The Spot competitions, documenting the nation’s landscapes and preserving geological moments in time for future generations.
As an opening statement for the upcoming 2028 centennial, the exhibition bridges the gap between historic foundations and modern artistic expression, bringing together photographers from diverse backgrounds united by a singular passion for visual storytelling to actively shape how the nation will remember and see itself in the years to come.