Karl King Aguña Reconnects with Friends at the Vogue Studios Philippines Launch Party

The first time Karl King Aguña was asked to do a photo diary for Vogue Philippines, he had just moved back from London and had few connections in the local creative scene. At the launch of Vogue Man last year, he spent the evening mostly observing and taking candid shots from the sidelines. Fast forward to last Wednesday, he felt at ease during the Vogue Studios Philippines Launch Party, where his friendships with Manila-based creatives came together in one room. 

“Before I could even lift my camera, I’d already found myself in the middle of that moment, talking and laughing with them,” he shares. “I loved watching everyone come alive in their own way, whether they were dancing, catching up, or just floating through the room.”

While Karl is typically drawn to quieter, in-between moments, the excitement he felt upon seeing familiar faces spurred him to interact. His instinct to approach and call out to friends meant missing the chance to take candid pictures, but it also allowed him to enter the scene and connect. Using a compact Olympus Mju-II, he found that people loosened up when the camera felt non-intrusive. The result: a mix of spontaneous interactions and moments that he managed to capture before jumping in himself. 

Reflecting on his photo diary, Karl shares that he often misses his home in London, where he grew up. Thus, he was glad to see friends from Europe, like Jarren Garcia, at the party. This feeling of comfort extends to his images. Captured on three rolls of film, his photos carry the inviting energy of the night, revealing a home that isn’t tied to a single place, but is rooted instead in the people who show you that you belong.

As told to Aylli Cortez.