Photo Diary: Joseph Bermudez at The Vogue Man Launch Party

On the night of the Vogue Man Launch Party, photographer Joseph Bermudez was early to arrive at The Peak Bar. He is fresh off of his full-time job, but, despite arriving camera-in-hand, was fully committed to losing himself in the evening. He didn’t come with his usual steadfast focus and quiet demeanor; instead, he was chatting up musician Jason Dhakal by the bar; sharing a toast with Christophe Bariou; and laughing away with the other two “photo diarists” (the name they coined for themselves that evening), Karl King Aguña and Borgy Angeles.

The party only held more surprises as it raged on. He didn’t expect to find fellow Davaoeña and designer Goldie Siglos in the center of the dance floor, who deliberately didn’t tell him she flew in to surprise him, or Mindanaoan model Kurt Vicencio, his long-time friend whom he hadn’t seen in years. Joseph would also run into his frequent collaborators, from Nadine Lustre and Lyn Alumno to the creatives on the Vogue Philippines team.

He’d amassed several “stolen snaps” by the end of the night. But the final selection of photos he would end up submitting to the team didn’t look like the files he initially sent over for selects; they were printed and scanned: remnants of a spellbinding evening glazed over with the vintage, early-aughts feel through which he sees the world.

Below, find Joseph’s collage of creatives, actors, and musicians, many of whom are his long-time friends and collaborators, reunited for the first time in years in celebration.

Zild Benitez and Elijah Canlas. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
1/18
“By the bar, I saw Zild and asked if he remembered shooting in my apartment years ago. We both chuckled as we recalled some things at the time.”
Shaira Luna and Zild Benitez. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
2/18
“Moments after Shaira Luna and I had a heartfelt conversation. Forever thankful for her existence”
Photographer Karl King Aguña. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
3/18
“‘Karl, photo kita with the print. Go!'”
LA Aguinaldo and Pam Prinster. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
4/18
“It’s been such a long time since I last saw these two; the last time we saw each other was two years ago!”
Photo by Joseph Bermudez
5/18
“A toast with Borgy Angeles, Karl King Aguña, and Anz Hizon”
Jason Dhakal. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
6/18
“A portrait of Jason Dhakal. Non-verbatim: ‘You were the guy drinking wine at It’s Vintage! How are you now?'”
Christophe Bariou. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
7/18
“A welcome snap of Christophe Bariou while enjoying his toast”
Chloe Zealroc Marion Samontanes and Nadine Lustre. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
8/18
“This blurry moment I captured on the balcony with Nadine Lustre and Chloe Zealroc Marion Samontes”
Vogue Philippines producer Anz Hizon and Lyn Alumno. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
9/18
“The gorgeous Lyn Alumno!”
Photo by Joseph Bermudez
10/18
“A stolen snap of these talented people”
Model Kurt Vicencio. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
11/18
“Reunited with Kurt Ethan after six years of not seeing each other. I said, ‘Kurt, let me take a portrait of you. Let me just finish my drink.’ He laughed.”
Vogue Man editor Danyl Geneciran. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
12/18
“Danyl Geneciran launching Vogue Man Philippines.”
Photo by Joseph Bermudez
13/18
“Another blurry moment of that night!”
Vogue Man editor Danyl Geneciran. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
14/18
“A brief encounter with Vogue Man’s editor. A huge congratulations to Danyl!”
Nadine Lustre and Christophe Bariou. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
15/18
“Finally reunited with Mom and Dad! I miss their vegan cooking.”
Shaira Luna. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
16/18
“Candid snap of the amazing Shaira Luna.”
Nadine Lustre. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
17/18
“‘Madam, smile!'”
Model Kurt Vicencio and designer Goldie Siglos. Photo by Joseph Bermudez
18/18
“Happy to see my good friend Goldie Siglos. Even though she told me last week that she was back in Davao, she surprised me by showing up.”