A GLOBAL organization of photography enthusiasts is spearheading this year’s annual Worldwide Photo Walk, reputedly the world’s largest event of its kind set to take place on Oct. 5 in thousands of cities worldwide.
The Kurit-Lagting Art Collective will lead the Philippine edition of the event in Sorsogon City, in partnership with the Concerned Artists of the Philippines Bicol Chapter (CAP Bicol), the Sorsogon Initiatives for Culture and Arts Development, the Rhymes of Peg, and the Delta Beta Omega (DBO) group.
The event will kick off 1 p.m. at the Sorsogon East Central School with some 100 participants who have registered online.
“The concept of a Photo Walk is simple. Photo Walks are created by Walk Leaders in cities all over the world. Walkers meet up at a pre-designated location to spend a few hours socializing, capturing images, and sharing with like-minded people,” Don Angelou Laureta of Kurit-Lagting explained.
Sorsogon City first participated in the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk in 2012, with Kurit-Lagting co-founder Geri Matthew “Choi” Carretero serving as the inaugural walk leader. Now in its 12th year, the event has evolved into a platform not only for showcasing the city’s vibrant culture and scenic landscapes, but also for raising awareness about pressing social issues and concerns within the community.
“The Photowalk is a great opportunity for us to come together as a community to document the beauty and struggles of Sorsogon. Through this event, we can create visual stories that amplify our voices and address the issues we face every day,” said Kurit-Lagting co-founder Allan Abrigo.
For Judy Azul and Ruth Jocutan of Rhymes of Peg and CAP Bicol, the walk presents a way to connect with others passionate about using photography for social change. “This walk allows us to not only capture beautiful moments but also to connect with people who are passionate about using photography as a medium for social change,” Azul and Jocutan added.
Assistant walk leaders Juan Pablo Sola, Danna Garbida, and Venus Briñola, who are also members of Kurit-Lagting and CAP Bicol, highlighted the importance of using the event as a way to shine a light on community challenges. “We are excited to lead a walk that not only celebrates the art of photography but also brings attention to the challenges in our community. It’s about making every shot count for something bigger than just a picture,” they emphasized.
“This event gives us the opportunity to highlight the cultural richness of Sorsogon while acknowledging the social issues that need collective action. It’s an empowering experience for everyone involved,” John Vergel Doctor of Delta Beta Omega said.
