Wider angle shots on the war on drugs: unvarnished truth in zoom ins
Darkness has fallen on the streets of Manila and in nearby provinces, as the culture of impunity and violence began to roam, stealing lives of people involved in the use of illegal drugs. Basilio Sepe, in his pursuit of the truth, was oblivious that on his first night to cover war on drugs, he is going to witness with his very own eyes the infamous La Pieta moment in the Philippine history.
Sepe, an Advertising Arts alumnus, started doing photojournalism about four years ago, learning the basics from his father, Jun Sepe, who is also a renowned photographer. From being the former chief photographer of The Varsitarian, he is now a contributor to international agencies like the Associated Press (AP) and various international and local outfits, and his works are also being featured in international exhibits.
Sepe understood that with less words and more visuals, the artist can convey the message that he wants to tell the audience, and that photography is both a form of art as well as a means for self-expression.
Together with other local photographers like Ezra Acayan, Alyx Arumpac, Dante Diosina, and Kimberly Dela Cruz, he worked on an exhibit last August 2017 titled “Philippine War on Drugs: The Nightshift” which was featured in the annual WARM Festival 2017 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, Bosnia.
In partnership with WARM Foundation, an international foundation working on the world’s contemporary conflicts, the exhibit will be featured again in Normandy, France starting Oct. 2 to Nov. 5, 2017.
In an online article of the TIME, an American weekly news magazine published in New York City, titled “I am seeing my countrymen die,” one of his works was also featured as one of the best photographs related to the war on drugs campaign.
“It was during this burial in Navotas, my first shoot of a burial that was related to the extrajudicial killings (EJK), and while I was shooting, I suddenly became emotional because I felt like I have had enough…They were all crying and I felt the heaviness in my chest,” he said in an interview with The Spiral Journal.
Sepe, amidst the peril of the job to one’s life and safety, believed that at its best, photography is a “way to show other people things that they cannot see” and it is his way to show the truth to those who view his photographs.
“You should not think only of yourself when you shoot, but you should always have to be aware of who you are working with, and [respect the rights] of the subjects you cover,” he said.
Lens on the truth
His advocacy to serve the denuded and raw truth started as an agenda for his undergraduate thesis, a photobook containing all his works since his career in photography started, leading to his coverage of pressing and far-reaching events such as campaign against illegal drugs.
Using his photographs, Sepe wanted to relay his message to the public, especially to the youth, who has now become passive and apathetic to the problems that ails the society.
“Everyone should see the truth and know that there is something wrong happening behind this campaign, especially the students who [have become] passive with the issue,” he said. “It’s disheartening that most of them just laugh and joke about it.”
Sepe said that the campaign against illegal drugs may have been the highlight of this administration, but sooner or later, with the collaborative efforts of those who wanted justice, it will be put to an end.
Further inspirations like his father and other colleagues made Basilio Sepe into what he is now as a photojournalist; viewing his photographs will be like looking at one’s old album – examining the images and becoming aware of the growth, transformation, and development.