Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens 2025 Showcases Stunning Photography with HUAWEI Pura 80 Series

Earth + Lens 2025 Photographers are joined on stage by Dr. Emil Yap III - President of Manila Bulletin, Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco - Department of Tourism, Ms. Irish Lorenzo - Manila Bulletin MBrand Group Head, and Huawei Executives.

• Cultural Showcase: The Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens 2025 brought together Filipino photographers whose works reflected the country’s beauty, heritage, and environmental richness through compelling images.
• Smartphone Innovation: All featured photos were captured using the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series, proving how advanced mobile photography has become in delivering clarity, versatility, and storytelling depth.
• Shared Vision: The event highlighted the long-standing partnership of Manila Bulletin, Department of Tourism, and HUAWEI in promoting responsible tourism, national pride, and creative empowerment.

The Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens 2025 photo exhibit was a celebration of the country’s natural wonders and cultural treasures through the lens of Filipino photographers and HUAWEI Pura 80 Series cameraphones.

This year’s exhibit, unveiled on August 28, 2025 at the Maynila Ballroom of the Manila Hotel, carried the theme Through the Filipino Eyes. It emphasized the idea that no one can capture the Philippines quite like the people who live and breathe its beauty every day.

Manila Bulletin President Emil Yap III delivering opening remarks

In his opening message, Dr. Emil Yap III, President of Manila Bulletin, expressed deep appreciation for the event’s partners. 

“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,” he said.

Filipino Creativity on Display

This year’s Earth+Lens lineup featured works from both acclaimed and emerging names in Philippine photography. Among them were Gab Mejia, Jim De Ramos, and Manila Bulletin content producers John Louie Abrina, Jaime Misalucha Jr., and Santi San Juan. Adding global prestige was the participation of internationally renowned Filipino artist Kublai Millan, who contributed a collection of photos taken overseas.

Each photo, whether of majestic landscapes, vibrant communities, or rare wildlife, told a story of Filipino identity and pride. What made the exhibit even more remarkable was that all the images were taken using a smartphone—the new HUAWEI Pura 80 Series.

Capturing the Country with Precision

National Geographic Explorer Gab Mejia shared his personal journey as part of the exhibit, recalling his campaigns in Zamboanga del Sur and Rizal province. For him, the Pura 80 Ultra was more than just a tool; it became an extension of his craft. “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,” he said.

National Geographic Explorer Gab Mejia during his talk

His statement highlighted the exhibit’s core message: technology, when paired with passion, can amplify the ability to tell authentic stories that matter.

Technology Meets Advocacy

HUAWEI, as the official smartphone photography partner, reinforced its reputation for pushing mobile imaging to greater heights. The HUAWEI Pura 80 Series comes with groundbreaking features such as the industry’s first Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera, a 50MP 1-inch Ultra Lighting HDR main camera, a 40MP ultra-wide camera, and enhanced macro capabilities. Its 100x digital zoom and dedicated optical zoom levels at 3.7x and 9.4x gave photographers unmatched flexibility during their shoots.

Photo by Gab Mejia using HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra

Photo by John Louie Abrina using HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro

Photo by Kublai Millan using HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra

Photo by Jim De Ramos using HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro

Photo by Santi San Juan using HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro

Photo by Jaime Misalucha Jr. using HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro

These tools allowed the participating photographers to capture vivid details, striking contrasts, and true-to-life colors. For visitors of the exhibit, it was proof that professional-grade photography is no longer limited to bulky cameras but can now be achieved with a device that fits in one’s pocket.

Official Launch of HUAWEI Pura 80

The exhibit also doubled as the official Philippine launch of the base model HUAWEI Pura 80. Ernest Ortega, product expert of HUAWEI Philippines, presented the smartphone and announced that preorders would begin on August 29. This announcement was another highlight of the evening, as guests got a first-hand look at the model that introduces many of the advanced imaging technologies of the series at a more accessible price point.

Ernest Ortega of HUAWEI Philippines presenting the all-new Huawei Pura 80

Watch the full Huawei Pura 80 official launch presentation at Earth + Lens 2025 here:

Continuing the Movement

Beyond the stunning visuals, Earth+Lens 2025 continued its mission of raising awareness about the importance of preserving the Philippines’ natural and cultural heritage. Its partnership with the Department of Tourism aligns with the national “Love the Philippines” campaign, reinforcing the role of photography in shaping how Filipinos see and protect their homeland.

The exhibit also invited budding photographers to join HUAWEI’s XMAGE Awards, an international competition that gives creators the opportunity to showcase their perspectives on a global stage.

Looking Ahead

The Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens 2025 reminded everyone that when creativity, technology, and advocacy come together, the results can inspire generations. With Filipino photographers leading the way, the exhibit underscored a hopeful message: the Philippines is rich with stories waiting to be told, and tools like the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series are here to help amplify those narratives.

Earth + Lens 2025 Exhibit at the Maynila Ballroom of The Manila Hotel

Additionally, Manila Bulletin Earth+Lens 2025 highlights a movement that inspires pride, responsibility, and creativity. With the support of its partners and the innovation of HUAWEI, the journey of telling the Filipino story through images continues.

Watch my full Manila Bulletin MBrand Earth + Lens 2025 Photo Exhibit Event experience: