Photographer.DH: The story of Xyza Cruz Bacani

Everyone needs to take a break from his or her job every now and then. 

 

In Hong Kong, Overseas Filipino Workers spend their days off not only by contacting their families at home but also by having regular meet-ups with fellow Pinoys. While documenting the pro-democracy demonstrations in the city's Central district, Howie Severino met a Filipina who takes her mind off her day job through another activity: photography.

 

Capturing passion and emotions

With her camera, 27-year-old street photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani is able to show how Filipinos such as herself view Hong Kong and its people. When the day is over, she resumes her job as a domestic helper.

 

Xyza loves taking photos that show raw emotions. For her, photography is about telling stories, capturing how people feel, and finding small details that are often overlooked by others because of the city’s hustle and bustle.
 

 

These emotions and details are evident in the photos she took during the height of Hong Kong's Umbrella Revolution. Xyza admits that she took no interest with the demonstrations at first, thinking that it is just one of the regular rallies held in the city. Going out and seeing the actual protests, however, made her realize that what was happening was special. 

 

 

The demonstrations started after it was announced that the candidates for Hong Kong's Chief Executive election in 2017 will be pre-determined by China. Many activists headed to the streets to voice their disapproval. The following arrest of pro-democracy students urged more people to join the rallies.

 

While it was not originally her plan to take pictures at the event, Xyza became one of the photographers who were able to document the Umbrella Revolution through her lens. Many of her memorable shots were taken on September 28, the day when police officers tried to disperse the crowd by throwing tear gas at them.

 

 

"Pagbaba ko dito sa Chung Kom building, kabababa ko pa lang, wala akong balak mag-shoot, hinagisan kami ng tear gas," Xyza narrates.

 

At one point, a tear gas landed right at her feet and Xyza had to kick the weapon away. She ran with the crowd, knowing that her mother would get angry if she got hurt. Despite the danger, Xyza did not stop taking photos until she was able to capture one that she thought would be able to convey the passion and emotions felt by the demonstrators. 

 

 

She had the chance to do so after tirelessly following one of the protesters. "Nung nakita ko siya, sinundan ko talaga kung saan siya pupunta," says Xyza. "Kasi para sa'kin kapag nakunan ko siya ng isang maganda, ito na 'yung history. Ito ang buong kuwento ng September 28. Kasi 'yun 'yung time na nagpakita 'yung mga tao na talagang lalaban [sila]."

 

Other than telling stories, Xyza believes that photography helps her gain more respect than what is usually given to domestic helpers. "'Pag tatanungin ako, 'What's your day job? Do you do photography full time?' Tapos sasabihin ko, 'No, I'm a helper,' mag-iiba 'yung mood ng kausap ko," she explains. “Parang wala akong karapatang maging photographer kasi helper ako. ‘Pag nagshu-shoot ako na may camera ako, hindi na ako helper. Photographer na ako.”

 

Gaining recognition

 

The efforts of Xyza have not gone unnoticed. Rick Rocamora, a premiere documentary photographer, chanced upon her works online. He is confident that Xyza has what it takes to become a better photographer. "'Yung foundation ng photography n'ya is really raw and yet, so good. Iba 'yung approach n'ya compared to the other photographers I've seen."
 

 

"Hindi ko alam na ganun 'yung magiging effect ng NYT. I thought it was just an article," admits Xyza. "I never thought na magiging ganun 'yung effect sa mga kababayan ko, na magiging inspirasyon pala ako."

 

Right now, Xyza dreams of joining Magnum, a cooperative for international photographers. However, she declares that she would still go back to being a domestic helper even with the new opportunities that photography has opened for her.

 

When asked why, a teary-eyed Xyza mentions her mother, who has been working as a domestic helper in Hong Kong for more than 20 years. The two of them are under the same employer. "Kapag OFW ka, mahirap makumpleto ang family… proud na proud ako sa mother ko kasi she works 365 days a year. Never nago-off 'yun just to make sure na maganda ang kinabukasan ng family namin."

 

"Isa sa mga reason kung bakit 'di ko maiwan ang domestic job is because of her. Ayoko na maiwan siya na mag-isa doon kasi ako lang 'yung kasama niya," she says. "One of the reasons na nagro-roam ako sa Hong Kong for photography is dahil hindi siya lumalabas. I show her the photos."

 

Photography is Xyza's break from the everyday demands of her job. However, other than being a hobby, it has also become her means to tell stories to a vast audience, may it be readers of an international newspaper or a hardworking mother yearning to explore the world.

 

This story originally aired on “i-Witness.” The show airs every Saturday, 8:00 PM on GMA. For more information, follow "i-Witness" on Facebook and Twitter. — Lara Gonzales/ARP/BMS