President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., alongside First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, joined photojournalists at the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls in Pasay City for the launch of a showcase celebrating major milestones of his administration.
The exhibition, titled “In Focus: Marcos Presidency,” launched on Thursday, August 13. It displays a curated gallery of images capturing official state duties, public interactions, high-level diplomatic meetings, and historic moments over the past four years.
Organized in advance of World Photography Day on August 19, the initiative aims to document presidential history visually while highlighting the vital role of photojournalists in recording national events.
During the event, the First Couple spearheaded the ceremonial unveiling of the exhibit’s main title board—a composite photograph representing various facets of the President’s leadership.
Following the ceremonial unveiling, Presidential Photojournalists Association (PPA) President Noel Pabalate, a former photojournalist with the Manila Bulletin, and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez presented commemorative gifts to the First Couple:
- President Marcos was gifted a framed replica of the title board collage.
- First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos received an etched crystal podium featuring a 3D image of the couple.
The title board was designed by PPA officer Marianne Bermudez of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Graphic artist Oteph Antipolo crafted its newspaper-inspired arrangement based on a concept envisioned by Pabalate.
Addressing the growth of digital media and generative technology, Pabalate emphasized that the showcase reflects the distinct quality and narrative depth provided by professional news photographers.
“We feel that we are endangered in this field kasi maraming AI,social media,” Pabalate noted that the images provide an authentic, visual archive of government projects and the administration’s response to key national issues.
Founded in 1986, the PPA comprises media professionals from print and digital news outlets accredited to cover presidential activities.
The free public exhibition runs at the venue from August 14 through August 30, operating Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.