Cindy Aquino's 'Dos Espiritu' tells LGBT story in black & white 

After winning the CNN Pride Photo Award 2013, portrait photographer Cindy Aquino decided to try her hand at storytelling.

 

Aquino shared that, although she lacks the confidence to tell stories using words, she is able to do so through her photographs. 

 

"Sa mga photo, ang dami mong masasabi," Aquino told GMA News Online during the exhibit opening of "DOS Espiritu: Isang Quadro Trianggulo sa Sulok ng Mundo." 
 

This exhibit is a collection of black and white photographs, all about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Aquino shared that the exhibit's objective is to remove the barriers in accepting those of the LGBT persuasion.

 

"Para sa akin, since nanalo ako, naisip ko, why don't I try to make an exhibit, to take photos with advocacy? Now, I'm starting to do this advocacy for LGBT, since the theme for the Pride Photo is LGBT pride," said Aquino, who has worked at a number of portrait studios.

 

The exhibit includes the winning photo, "Bond", which shows a lesbian couple sharing a tender moment. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/313964/pinoyabroad/pinoyachievers/pinay-s-photo-wins-in-intl-contest-on-gender-sexuality

 

Aquino explained the different photos in the exhibit, beginning with “Tago/Taguan” (hide), which focuses on the closet gay. There is also a photo on coming out, as well as “Lito” (confusion), which Aquino learned is the most common feeling for those who have just discovered they are gay. 

 

"'Yun 'yung experience ng isang tao na hindi niya maintindihan kung magtatago ba siya becaue of the community, the society, na  kung tatanggapin ba siya o hindi," Aquino said.

 

Part of the exhibit also focuses on same sex marriage, which is not legal in the Philippines. "Para sa akin, kung gustong magsama ng dalawang tao para sa habang buhay, at gusto nila ng blessing, why don't we give that to them?" Aquino said.

 

The exhibit also features the younger generation, which Aquino observed seems a lot more courageous. "Meron akong nainterview na five years old, bading siya, alam na niya na bading siya. Meron naman akong nainterview na tomboy, alam niyang tomboy siya, na parang ang lakas ng loob nila. Sa friends ko before, tago talaga. Nakita ko na may ganito, ganito na yung nangyayari ngayon, 'di na katulad ng dati," she said.

 

Aquino shared that she chose to do the exhibit in black and white, because this was what she fell in love with when she started taking photos. "Hindi lang siya dramatic, ang dami mong  mabubuong storya din eh na parang pag kinunan mo ito, pag nakita mo in black and white, may iba ka agad makikita sa kanya," she said.

 

Aquino explained that in her exhibit, she hopes to tell a different story from what people are used to. "Mga LGBT, ang daming storya na hindi makita ng tao, which is gusto kong ipakita sa mga tao. May ganitong tao na di mo nakikita o kung nakikita mo man, hindi mo sobrang maaccept," she said.

 

Along with the exhibit, daily activities were part of the advocacy to promote respect and acceptance. These included an artist talk on November 7 and a band night on November 9, with performances by The Dandimites, SteadyMovinBeat, Goons N' Guns, Pinstripped Rebel, Ode to La Luna, and Five Year Plan. 

 

There will also be a film showing on the last day of the exhibit. – KDM, GMA News 
 

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"DOS Espiritu" runs at Kanto Art Space, The Collective, Malugay St. Makati City until November 10.