Veteran photojournalist Joe Galvez dies at 67
Joe Galvez in a recent photo and an earlier one showing him as a young photographer. —Photos from his Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines — Veteran photojournalist Jose Ventoza Galvez Jr. died last Monday, June 9, at the age of 67 after about 10 years of battling kidney disease.
His son, James Konstantin, relayed the information to the Press Photographers of the Philippines (PPP), where Galvez, whom friends often referred to as Joega or Jogal, served as president from 2010 to 2012.
Galvez is survived by his wife Eugenia; children James Konstantin, John Hector, Eowyn, Anna Isabella Galvez-Reyes, and Lorenzo; and his grandchildren Cielo, Charlie, Luna, Lila, and Thomas.
His wake will be at the Galvez residence in Bagac, Bataan, until Friday, June 13. His burial will be on Saturday, June 14, also in Bagac.
Joe Galvez covering the Oakwood Mutiny in Makati in July 2003. —Photo by Luis Liwanag | PPP
Documenting history
Born in Manila on May 10, 1958, Galvez, who studied at the University of the Philippines, started working in the martial law years as a photographer for a foreign embassy and the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
Then he went to work in several publications, including Manila Bulletin, People’s Journal, Mr. and Ms. Special Edition, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Old friends Joe Galvez and Luis Liwanag take a break during a rally coverage. —Photo from Galvez’s Facebook page
He was always present with his camera at the most historic events. Among the earliest that he covered were the burial of former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., who was assassinated in 1983; the February 1986 snap elections when the senator’s widow challenged incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.; and the Edsa People Power Revolution that followed shortly after.
His last regular job before retiring was photo editor with GMA News Online.
Still, he continued to be active in the photojournalism community, keeping in touch with his former colleagues and taking photos for exhibits — such as the PPP Art and Photo Exhibition held in October 2024 — or merely for his enjoyment.
Here’s a photo that Joe Galvez took for Mr. & Ms. on Feb. 26, 1986, showing people flashing the “L” for “Laban!” (Fight!) sign, huge crowds gather at the Malacañang grounds after news broke that authoritarian President Ferdinand Marcos and his family had fled the country following four days of a People Power revolt at Edsa.
Bernard Testa, a friend of Galvez’s and a fellow photographer who works with Business Mirror, shared a two-part video series of Galvez talking about his collection of old newspapers and how he got started in photojournalism.
Tributes
Among the tributes that came out was one from the Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines, which posted on Facebook on Tuesday:
“Joe Galvez, a veteran photojournalist and mentor, left an indelible mark on the Philippine media landscape. His lens captured the country’s tumultuous martial-law years, shedding light on the struggles and resilience of the Filipino people. As a photo editor at GMA News Online, he nurtured the talents of young photographers, passing on his expertise and passion.
“Joe’s essays on the history of photography in the Philippines are a treasure trove of knowledge, highlighting the pioneering work of Filipino photographers who helped shape the industry. His writings are a testament to his dedication to preserving the country’s visual heritage.
“As a mentor, Joe inspired countless young photographers to hone their craft, imparting valuable lessons on ethics, technique, and storytelling. His legacy continues to inspire a new generation of visual storytellers.
“Joe Galvez’s contributions will be deeply missed, but his legacy as a photographer, mentor, and historian will endure, inspiring future generations to tell the stories that shape our world.”
The Mindanao chapter of Galvez’s fraternity at UP Diliman, Beta Sigman, also posted this on Facebook: “His contributions to the Philippine Media landscape have truly exemplified all that is good and noble in man. We hope to pass down all he has taught us, and pass it down to future generations of the brotherhood. Rest in peace, brother, you will be dearly missed.” /atm
