Jaehwa Bernardo

Participants of Tara Photowalk Tayo gather during the grand Color Hunt event. Photo by Earl Recamunda/Tara Photowalk Tayo

Article (news)

From streets to stories: How Bicol built its own creative movement

Winkie Bernaldez

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772331874120641417281_1356680979837610_5028063821566758452_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Participants of Tara Photowalk Tayo gather during the grand Color Hunt event. Photo by Earl Recamunda/Tara Photowalk Tayo</div>In 2011, a simple Facebook post in Legazpi City asked a straightforward question: “Tara, photowalk tayo?”There were no sponsors or big plans behind it. Earl Recamunda had recently discovered the joy of photo walking and wanted to meet fellow photographers. “I simply wanted to have an activity where I could meet other photographers,” he said.From that casual invitation grew Tara Photowalk Tayo (TPT), a community that has gathered more than 500 photographers over 13 years.In the Philippines, creative opportunities are often associated with Metro Manila, where major galleries, media organizations and industry networks are based. TPT’s steady growth in Bicol shows that meaningful art spaces can also flourish outside the capital — shaped by local stories and sustained by local initiative.“Maybe the idea of having a local community led by locals is what keeps it organic,” Recamunda said.The group’s focus has remained simple: consistent photowalks, accessible activities, and an enjoyable experience for anyone who joins.Inclusivity has been central from the start. TPT welcomes photographers regardless of experience or equipment. Professionals shoot alongside beginners; some bring high-end cameras, others use mobile phones. “Every person who wants to learn starts as a beginner,” Recamunda said. Creating positive early experiences, he added, encourages people to continue exploring the craft.For photographer Sophia Esguerra, that welcoming environment was transformative. She first joined a TPT photowalk in 2018 during its ninth anniversary. “I met people that became close friends until now,” Esguerra shared.Over time, TPT helped Esguerra  reconnect with photography as passion rather than pressure, especially after experiencing burnout from professional work. She described the group’s spirit as a kind of “creative democracy” — a space where photographers can experiment freely without worrying about fitting a specific mold.Photographer John Rey Lleva had a similar experience. Discovering TPT on Facebook, he joined a walk in Legazpi while still adjusting to manual focus on his camera. Encouragement from fellow participants boosted his confidence. He also learned that street photography involves responsibility.“Even if we’re in public spaces, there are boundaries,” he said, emphasizing respect for privacy and dignity.Across the years, TPT’s walks have produced thousands of images documenting everyday life in Bicol — from bustling streets to quiet corners often overlooked. For Recamunda, this is the group’s contribution. “By documenting everything — where we are now — hopefully our works can be used for the development of society,” he said.

Tara Photowalk Tayo (TPT) has gathered hundreds of photographers in Bicol, creating a creative community who have cultivated an art space in the region.

Tara Photowalk Tayo (TPT) has gathered hundreds of photographers in Bicol, creating a creative community who have cultivated an art space in the region.