VEEJAY VILLAFRANCA
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    • Marked: The Gangs of Baseco
    • A race divided: Chin migrants in search for identity and life of peace
    • Barrio Sagrado
    • Against the dying of the light
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UPDATES COMING SOON!

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MONKEY AND A FRAME

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ENTER THE WOODEN HORSE

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30 JANUARY 2013


GONG HEY FAT CHOY!!

The last few weeks has been hectic, traveling through the Visayas to continue my project on climate refugees. More updates on that later. For now good things are up on the horizon, new website, new stories, collaborations with amazing people and books!!!! 

For everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year, may you all be blessed with good fortune and happiness. 



Cheers!!!

-VEEJAY-

Displaced earth - a month after typhoon haiyan

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A day after Typhoon Ondoy ©Veejay Villafranca 2009
5 DECEMBER 2013

It's been almost a month since Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) brought the most terrifying message in the Leyte and Samar provinces leaving more than 5000 people dead and almost the whole province displaced and struggling for aid. 

I have followed the lives of people displaced due to the drastic change in weather patterns since 2009. Documenting how they cope and how they are pushed from one end to the other. I believe there is a huge lack on emphasis on the state of the displaced after they are buried by other news headlines. 

They are almost forgotten and left to survive after being uprooted from their native lands because lack of government support. Moreover, much debate has been going on regarding the debate on climate change but very little effort in discussing what will happen to the climate refugees. 

My project 'Displaced Earth: the state of the climate refugees in the Philippines' is ongoing and will be tackling several issues such as health problems in temporary shelters and relocation sites, children's rights and protection against abuse, and then move on to the wake up call of this 'new norm' which is heightened weather disturbances that endangers everyone most specially those dwelling in marginalized communities. 
Follow me as I continue this timely project which needs all the attention it can get as the safety of millions of Filipinos are at stake. The government needs a firm and visual reminder of how it is to lose everything to mother nature if not properly addressed and acted upon. 

I will be mainly working on issues of health, children's rights, food security and safety but will be open to collaborations.  

There are several organizations to send donations and support please click on the links below. There is no such thing as enough help most specially for a tragedy of this proportion: 


HELP YOLANDA VICTIMS


ART Relief - Mobile Kitchen 


Fundraising Auction for victims of Typhoon Yolanda on December 14
 


-VEEJAY-

 20th edition of the joop swart masterclass 

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Next#03 cover photo by Arnau Blanch - www.arnaublanch.com
27/10/2013

A week from now, I will be joining 11 brilliant participants from different parts of the world and 6 masters for the 20th edition of the Joop Swart Masterclass program by the World Press Photo Foundation. It is indeed an honor to be working with such talented and dedicated individuals in the field of visual storytelling, but also, there is an immense pressure as this one-week endeavor comes with a great responsibility afterwards. 


As a Latin phrase goes aut viam inveniam aut faciam (I will either find a way or make one). 


Please follow vphotoblog.tumblr.com or in this page for updates as the workshop progresses. 

Cheers!


Veejay

Displaced earth on gma news online

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25/10/2013

Huge thanks to GMA news online for featuring a part of of my project Displaced Earth. I'm really happy that this project has been getting a lot of press and exposure lately (online and exhibitions). I'm looking forward to pursue the next phase of the project that will tackle the issue of food security and how the drastic change in climate patterns affect food producers of the country. 

Cheers!

- Veejay -

mANILART 2013

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Hi everyone!

Some of my prints will be shown at this year's ManilaArt exposition at SMX Aura in The Fort starting tomorrow. I would be happy to see everyone there! Thanks to VMeme Contemporary Art Gallery for hosting my work 2nd year in a row. 



You may also visit IMPRENTA to purchase limited edition prints for those who cannot visit ManilaArt. 

Cheers everyone and enjoy the rest of the week! 

-Veejay-


IMPRENTA IS HERE!

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Imprenta Manila is here. We are still on our dry-run so please bear with us. As we polish our operations and fine tune some minor details, you can visit our Facebook page or email us at [email protected] to be able to receive a catalog of the prints on hand. 

Better yet, see you at Fred's Revolucion in CubaoX soon!

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P-NOISE show in Denmark

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06/08/2013


P-NOISE features different artists and photographers from all over the world will be opening on the 7th of September 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark. 


My work alongside with fellow Filipino photographers will be one of the highlights of the festival. For those who are fortunate to be on that side of the planet, please support the Filipino artists and our exhibition!


-Veejay-

IPA PHOTO CAMP MANILA

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25/05/2013

IPA IS COMING TO MANILA


Hey Philippines, we’re finally coming over for a visit! Join us for IPA PHOTO CAMP MANILA, taking place in the capital city of Philippines from 16th to 19th August 2013. Held over 4 solid days, the photo camp program includes a street photography workshop, a documentary photography seminar and one public night of photography slideshows.

IPA PHOTO CAMP MANILA is produced by Invisible Photographer Asia (IPA) in partnership with Pioneer Studios. - from the IPA webiste

I will also be part of this amazing event as I alongside with renowned photojournalist Jes Aznar will be tackling different techniques on how to pave a career as a photojournalist and documentary photography. 

REGISTER NOW AND HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE IN AUGUST!!



-veejay-




THE CLIMATE IMPERATIVE ON SHOW

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25/05/2013

Extreme weather events is the new normal in the Philippines.
 

In the past few years, the country and its people have borne the brunt of some of the deadliest and most expensive typhoons.

My project Displaced Earth tackles the burden of those who are displaced due to the shift in weather conditions. I'm inviting everyone to the CLIMATE IMPERATIVE photo exhibition in collaboration with Greenpeace. Alongside with fellow photographers Athit Perawongmetha (Thailand) and Kemal Jufri (Indonesia) we will tackle the burgeoning issues on climate and environment and how to survive this new norm. 

The exhibition will be held at the Atrium of the Eastwood Citymall on June 3, 2013 at 5pm. 



Hope to see you all there!

-VEEJ-

FEARLESS EXHIBIT THIS MAY 

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10/05/2013


A selection of images from a new project entitled 'Endagered Abundance' will be on show at the The Art Prints Alley in Makati City starting on the 15th of May. The show also features renowned Filipino photographers Alex Baluyut, Luis Liwanag and Claro Cortes IV.  Show runs until 30th of May. 


See you all there!


-VEEJ-

2013 joop swart masterclass

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08/05/2013

I have been privileged to be selected as one of the participating photographers in the 20th edition of the Joop Swart Masterclass program in Amsterdam. Still at a loss for words on how happy and grateful I am but already pretty stoked to be working with the industry's finest professionals and also my other 11 colleagues. 



With 'hope' as our theme for this year, the process will definitely be challenging but a definite eye opener for me as I go on and pursue a new height in photography.


Cheers and good vibes!


-VEEJ-

LIMITED EDITION POSTERS

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04/19/2013

Had some materials done for my print marketing. Please send me an email here if you wanted a copy of these limited edition posters. 

Cheers!

Veejay

15 March 2013

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My project Silent Emergency published in a 12-page portfolio for World Policy Journal's Spring 2013 issue. Please check it out!

Cheers and have a great weekend.


- Veejay - 

Homecoming

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Photo by Sonny Villafranca
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Photo by Veejay Villafranca

11 MARCH 2013

A few weeks ago, I was assigned to head up to Benguet province and do a story on food security and the organizers said that they needed a second shooter. So I decided to take my father with me and bring him back to one of the very few places that he has deep connections with. 


It was a homecoming for both us, a detachment from the chaotic city life and from all woes to seek refuge in a town/city that has always healed us both physically and spiritually. And to be able to work together with my dad who's my number one critic, my mentor and inspiration was just beyond compare. 


Huge thanks to Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities for making it happen. Here's a short text and a selection of photos that both of us took. There will be a bigger edit and hopefully a public exhibition of the work we produced in Benguet sometime this year. I will keep you up to date on that, meanwhile please visit the link below to read about an issue that is starting to become a huge threat to our country's food producers. 

ENDANGERED ABUNDANCE 


Photo gallery

Have a great week ahead everyone and peace.


-VEEJAY-

*Print sales*

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Hi everyone! To those who are interested, there are still a couple of limited edition pieces from the 2010 exhibition produced by WANTOK production. For those interested kindly get in touch with me or through the WANTOK website to inquire about the  said limited edition pieces. 


Cheers! 


-Veejay-

20 FEBRUARY 2013

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Exhibit opens tonight and runs until March 5. 


-VEEJAY-


24 JANUARY 2013

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Ever wonder why the December chill came a bit late? Or why areas which used to be free from floods and landslides are now suffering due to changes in the monsoon patterns? 

Southeast Asia is among the most vulnerable and least prepared regions to face climate change impacts. But it is also a part of the world where solutions, particularly renewable energy, are being rapidly developed. 

A series of exhibitions will be launched in three countries namely Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines to help address the issue of the changes in weather conditions. The exhibit hopes to show these two aspects: the challenges and solutions with regard to climate change in Southeast Asia. 



Displaced Earth: Climate refugees in the Philippines will be shown alongside with the works of Kemal Jufri of Indonesia and Athit Perawongmetha of Thailand.


Opening on January 29 in Atara Gallery in Jakarta, Indonesia

                  February 8 during the Chiang Mai Documentary Arts Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand
         
                  February 25 in Robinson's Magnolia Manila, Philippines



Be more informed about climate conditions and solutions to some of the most perilous environmental conditions. 

Thanks and please do visit the shows in the three countries!


Cheers!


-VEEJAY-


January 21, 2013

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With this year's theme, Fragility, the 7th edition of Chobi Mela International photography festival in Bangladesh features the work of some of the Southeast Asian photographers curated by Françoise Callier of the Angkor Photo festival. 

Marked: the Gangs of Baseco is featured in the festival. 

Check their website for regular updates on the exhibitions and photographer's presentations.



-Veejay-


JANUARY 17, 2012

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A blessed and productive new year to all!

OCTOBER 29, 2012
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CONECTADOS at Ayala Museum

Photography Exhibition and Public Video Projection

November 8, 2012 6:30 PM
On view until Nov 25


Projection Schedule:
Nov 8-12 from 6to11pm
Ayala Museum
The Link
Greenbelt Fashio Walk
Makati Stock Exchange
Tower One


Raena Fe Abella
Ninfa Bito
Frankie Callahan
Rosscapili
Romina Diaz 
Carlos Esguerra
Luis Liwanag
Arnel Murillo
Neal Oshima
Emmannuel Santos
Toto Tarrosa
Steve Tirona
Wig Tysmans
Veejay Villafranca
Jaime Zobel de Ayala
Cesar Caballero
Emilio Vigara Leiva
Jose Manuel Navia
Txema Salvans
Nacho Sayas
Alfredo Tobia
Suso 33
Toto moris
Luis Arango
Santiago Arau
Cecilia Hurtado
Pablo Lopez 


October 10, 2012
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My project on Chin migrants in India was part of the inaugural edition of the Chiang Mai Documentary Arts Festival in Thailand.

Thanks to Erica McDonald of DEVELOP Tube for the feature.


- Veej


October 3, 2012
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It's out! Cover story on the Filipino diaspora in the current issue of Bidoun Magazine. 

Art direction and digital composite by Babak Radboy 
Portraits by Veejay Villafranca. 

Friends in New York please do check it out.


-Veej

2 OCTOBER 2012
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My project Faith above fate that has been exhibited recently in JIV Gallery will be shown in Manila Art 2012 opening today at the SMX Convention center. 

See you all there! 

- Veej


27 AUGUST 2012
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Coming this September at the IPA Gallery in Singapore  P+ : IPA Filipino Photographers Showcase


For many years, photography in the Philippines has missed the radar in many parts of the world. Photography from this archipelago has mostly been associated with traditional photojournalism and travel photography, as compared to its Asian neighbors. Most recently, numerous, more personal photographic works have been produced by young Filipino photographers that do not get as much of an audience as tourism pictorials and post-disaster reportage in their country.

P+ (PLUS) is a showcase of young Filipino talent who are showing the world how they see their own country. The exhibition, curated by Tammy David and Carlo Gabuco and produced by Invisible Ph t grapher Asia, features works ranging from street and documentary photography to contemporary photography – all of which show more introspective visions and personal stories from the photographers’ own backyards.

P+ features photographs from Carlo Gabuco, Geloy Concepcion, Geric Cruz, Jake Verzosa, John Javellana, Nana Buxani, Tammy David, Tim Serrano and Veejay Villafranca.

I am humbled to be part of such an amazing group of talent from the Philippines. Thanks to IPA and Tammy and Carlo for curating this event. 

(Credit Cover photo by Geric Cruz and succeeding photo by Veejay Villafranca from the series Displaced Earth: Climate refugees in the Philippines)


Cheers everyone!

-Veej


13 August 2012
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From the series Silent Emergency © Veejay Villafranca
  Silent Emergency project published by the online edition of PRIVATE Magazine. 

11 AUGUST 2012
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Read full article by Greenpeace International here and related work on Climate Refugees can viewed in my projects gallery.

-Veej


3 AUGUST 2012
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© Veejay Villafranca 2012


I'm happy to announce that my work Displaced Earth will be shown in the 2012 edition of the Angkor Photo Festival. 


For first timers and returnees alike, you may get an update about the festival, venue, screenings and exhibitions in the Angkor Photo Festival blog.

Cheers everyone!



-Veej

4 July 2012
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Veejay Vilafranca for AECID
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Photo by Noel Celis/AFP


HER MAJESTY QUEEN SOFIA OF SPAIN WHO WAS IN TOWN FOR A STATE VISIT FORMALLY OPENED OUR PHOTO EXHIBITION 'PROTAGONISTAS' AT THE NATIONAL LIBRARY IN MANILA JULY 3, 2012

THIS INTERSECTION PROJECT WITH SPANISH PHOTOGRAPHER JOSE NAVIA OF AGENCE VU IS A COLLECTION OF IMAGES FROM AECID'S FUNDED PROGRAMS IN THE PHILIPPINES. 

THE SHOW RUNS UNTIL END OF JULY AND EVERYONE IS INVITED TO VISIT.


29 JUNE 2012
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JIV Manila Art hosts Veejay Villafranca’s Faith Above Faith photo exhibit


The second installment of “Faith Above Fate” photography exhibit by renowned artist Veejay Villafranca opens on June 30, 2012 at 7:00 in the evening at JIV Manila Art Gallery located at 2nd Flr CK Building No. 61 Visayas Ave. Quezon City.

The exhibit will feature selected photographs mounted on light-boxes from Villafranca’s ongoing project focused on religion and Filipino life. The rest of the still images for the collection are projected digitally to give viewers an idea of his four-pronged project covering rituals in Siquijor, the feast of the Black Nazarene, penitence and faith-healing.


JIV GALLERY

FAITH ABOVE FATE photos

MAY 31 2012
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The 2012 Month of Photography in Tokyo in partnership with the Photographic Society of Japan presents "The Hope and the Dream in Filipino", a simultaneous group exhibition by different photographers from the Philippines. 

My project Silent Emergency will be shown at the Nikon Ginza Gallery starting May 23 alongside with Bahaghari de Guzman and Jake Verzosa.

For the complete lineup and schedule kindly visit http://www.psj.or.jp/gekkan/schedule/kikaku2012-2.html

MAY 30 2012
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My project on climate refugees in the Philippines is part of the GRID Photo festival which will be travelling all over in Holland from the 16th of May up to July.

 7 April 2012
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Photo blog
For some of my random photo posts and inspirations.
                                                                                

                                                                                      

All images are copyrighted property of Veejay Villafranca © All rights reserved 2025.