The Difference Is In The Dose - Toronto, Canada.

As a quick highlight: Filipino food is really bad for you (it’s loaded with sodium and sugar, both of which directly contribute to heart disease and diabetes). Comparatively speaking, alcohol is more poisonous for your body than cigarettes (yet, culturally — and through skillful marketing — we are led to believe that alcohol isn’t that bad). Why did I bring those two things up specifically? Because high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cirrhosis of the liver are all extremely common within the Filipino community; all of which are directly related to diet and lifestyle. All of which are also: completely preventable.

Dr. Tara - Toronto, ON, Canada.

The world is lucky to have you, Dr. Tara, and you’re just getting started! Can’t wait to witness the difference you will be making in the future (and I secretly can’t wait to have one of my photographs be used in a future magazine article about you)!

Capturing Adonis - Vancouver, BC, Canada.

To think that those little made-up adventures were just over 10 years ago (that’s when I picked up my first camera, though Brentley has been shooting ever since early high school and has already been on international shoots without me—that’s why he’ll always be my senpai; aka “upperclassman”), it’s wild to imagine that what was once fantasy has now become reality.

Ancestral Fishpond antics - Aklan, Philippines.

I know I’ve written about fishermen and fishponds already, but the highlight I want to showcase here isn’t actually the the pond or fishermen, but the ingenuity of the Filipino people.

Two highly creative endeavours seen here are the three-story treehouse currently being built and designed by my Uncle Denis, along with the improvised rifle held by my uncle’s friend Michael.

philippinesUrvil James VillaruelJune 22, 2023philippines, portrait, portraits

One 'SadTurnip'.

If all that didn't seem like enough already, while not studying, looking after first-years, or making entertaining (mostly) daily YouTube videos, Arvil likes to supplement his active leisure time by practicing yoga and undergoing lessons in the Filipino Martial Art of Arnis!

photoshoot, photographyUrvil James VillaruelJanuary 27, 2018sad turnips, portrait, portraits

The Hardy Explorer.

Portrait photography featuring Brentley Bautista, founder & lead videographer at eightsix:media.