#2 Malaysia. Luzon, Mixed-Race Tagales, Bisaya Of Manila, Circa 1890s
#3 A Muslim Family, Philippines, 1890-1907
#4 A Wealthy Mestiza (Mixed Filipino Woman) Of The Upper Class, 1899
#5 Native Filipino In A Traje De Mestiza, Philippine Islands, 1899
#6 Traditional Ensemble Called The "Traje De Mestiza", Philippines, Around 1890s To Early 1900s
The clothing in these images tells a profound story all on its own. Notice the delicate, translucent piña fabric worn by the elite, a symbol of status and a masterpiece of local artistry. Contrast this with the intricate, hand-woven patterns of the highland tribes, each design a connection to ancestral identity. The garments here are a visual map of the era's social landscape, revealing a society where indigenous heritage, Spanish influence, and a uniquely Filipino identity were all woven together.
#11 Filipino Family, Ten People, Posed, On Lawn, 1899
#12 A Filipino Belle, Manila, Philippine Islands, 1899
#14 Ilocana Ladies From Santa Catalina, Ilocos, Philippines, 1900
#19 Filipinos Planting Rice, Philippine Islands, Between 1890 And 1925
#20 Filipino Gymnastic Performers, July 4th, '99, Cavite, P.I., 1899
There is a complex story in the gaze of the photographed people, especially since they are being photographed by a foreign lens during a time of immense political tension. In some faces, you might see curiosity; in others, a quiet defiance or an unreadable stillness. Each person is navigating a world of immense change, and their direct engagement with the camera is a powerful, human moment that cuts across the century, inviting us to wonder what they were thinking as the shutter clicked.