During the previous two months, I've spent considerable time reviewing several hundred 35mm transparencies comprising photos taken when I resided in the Philippines, from 1971 until 1977.  This involved evaluating each image, scanning those I considered worthy, editing these in Lightroom and uploading them to this site, a process that continues.  Although scanning such relatively small images (a 35mm frame is 24x36mm) commonly yields less than optimal files, especially given the limitations of my 'consumer grade' scanner (an Epson V500), I thought the subject matter adequately compensated.

     For me personally, the subjects remind me of how I witnessed Filipinos striving for dignified lives under circumstances most North Americans would find abysmal.  I don't want to romanticize things, but I do draw inspiration from the approach to life that I think I see in many of the faces here.  Of course, the sheer beauty of much of the land, although selectively chosen to photograph, also is moving.

    Finally, I consider these images valuable as a record of how the Philippines continues to rapidly change.  Since their original capture some 40 years ago, many of the these scenes no longer are available.  Recently, for example, I viewed a current photo of Manila which, although my residence for seven years, I did not recognize.  To me, it looked more like Chicago.

    From time to time, I'll be adding more photos to this gallery, and eventually I may reorganize it according to subject matter.  Meanwhile, I hope you find it worthwhile.

- Don Fahrenbrink, May 2014