Olongapo exhibit to showcase award-winning photos of Pinatubo eruption

MANILA, Philippines–To mark the 20th anniversary of Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption, award winning photographs taken at the height of the volcano’s fury will be on
exhibition at the Olongapo City Convention Center starting June 15, Wednesday.

The week-long photo exhibit is being put up by a group of media practitioners whose lives were endangered while covering one of the most destructive volcanic eruption of the last century that saw daylight turning into night, destroyed millions in property and left thousands of people homeless.

According to Heraldo Cabrido, president of Mt. Pinatubo Media Survivors and former Inquirer photography consultant, rare and dramatic photographs will be on display to remind people of the unforgettable “man against nature” episode in the country’s history that tested man’s fortitude.

Also to be showcased are images of present-day communities which have recovered from the devastation of June 15, 1991 and moved on to rebuild their lives and award winning photographs of Albert Garcia, the first Filipino to have won the prestigious World Press Photo grand prize with his shot of Mt. Pinatubo major eruption.

Former senator and Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard J. Gordon will grace the opening. Gordon was mayor of Olongapo when the volcano erupted and led the evacuation of hundreds of Aeta families living near Pinatubo’s slope.

Olongapo Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and City First Lady Anne Gordon will lead the ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Also invited are officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Phivolcs officials and prominent media personalities.

Mike Pusing, event coordinator, said the exhibit is part of the month-long celebration of Olongapo’s 45th Cityhood Anniversary, June 12 Independence Day and Dr. Jose Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary on June 19..

Pusing said the city government opted for a joint extended celebration to give ample time for city residents to reflect on the significance of the historic events occurring in the month of June.

Mayor Gordon said that while the city celebrates, it is also time to reckon the tragedy that struck Olongapo 20 years ago.

“Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption was a nightmare yet it brought out the best in the Filipino as shown by the fast and impressive recovery of heavily-damaged areas like Olongapo,” Gordon said.