Joy, fear, sadness, disgust, and more – human emotions are our natural responses to the world around us. They remind us of our humanity, allowing us to connect, empathize, laugh, and fully experience the present moment.
Some people immortalize these emotions through extensive displays of art and music. Renowned photographer Geloy Concepion, however, proved that self-expression need not be grandiose to be meaningful. At Graphika Manila 2026, he illustrated how a simple photograph can mean a lot for thousands of people.
“May kakaibang kapangyarihan ‘yung photography. Nanakawin ka niya sa — sa kung ano mang ginagawa mo,” he said. (There’s a certain kind of power in photography. It pulls you away from whatever you’re doing.)
“Hindi lang siya tungkol sa ganda —tungkol siya sa kwento.” (It’s not just about beauty—it’s about the story.)
Through the lens
Arguably his most famous project, Things You Wanted To Say But Never Did is an interactive art concept where anonymous personal confessions are handwritten over old film photos. This project began as a means to explore vulnerability, connection, and the things people feel but don’t express.
It has since resonated with people around the world and led to a physical book and widespread recognition online.
Geloy – a tough, humorous guy built around real-world grit – admitted that he came from the streets. Before photography, he found solace in making art in public spaces. This eventually led to his inclination for street photography.
When he discovered photography, he immediately dropped his paintbrush and transitioned to using a camera. “Love at first sight agad,” Geloy said. (It was immediately love at first sight.)
He then shifted to documentary photography. From shooting twice a week, he found himself shooting every day. Geloy’s first project was Reynas de Las Flores, a documentary about the “Golden Gays” in Manila.
“Sobrang proud ako sa trabaho na ‘to,” he said. (I’m really proud of this project.)
“Nung ginather ko sila, ang plano ko sana sa photoshoot na ‘to — parang break the ice. Pero nu’ng nandun na kami, nu’ng nakita ko ‘yung mga photos — ‘yan, nag-decide ako na ‘yun na ‘yun. ‘Yun na ‘yung project” (When I gathered them, my original plan for the photoshoot was just to break the ice. But when we were already there, when I saw the photos —that was it. I decided that was the project.)
By that time, Geloy had figured out how freelancing works. He realized he wanted a better life, so he moved to the U.S.
His path to success wasn’t linear, though. Geloy struggled for a while in the U.S.
He recalls, “Eto sa cafe — nagtrabaho ako as dishwasher ng three years. Alam niyo, unang araw ako nag-dishwasher — ‘pag in-add mo lahat ng pinggan na nahugasan ko sa Pilipinas, wala siguro sa five percent.” (Back at a café, I worked as a dishwasher for three years. You know, on my first day as a dishwasher — if you added up all the dishes I had ever washed in the Philippines, it probably wouldn’t even reach five percent.)
His grit and passion, however, overshadowed the challenges. He came from a tougher place, after all.
Geloy’s experiences shaped his personal projects.
“Tinuloy ko lang idokumento kung anong nangyayari sa ‘kin. Shini-share ko sa social media. Tapos unti-unti nahanap ko yung mga taong makaka-relate. So ‘yung community ko, nahanap ko.” (I just continued documenting what was happening to me. I shared it on social media. Then, little by little, I found people who could relate. So I eventually found my community.)
Honest content, honest audience
After 15 years in the creative field, Geloy Concepcion has learned that growth is less about mastery and more about letting go. Letting go of fixed identities, expectations, and most importantly, the ego. He also realized the value of stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
“‘Wag niyong kakahonin yung sarili niyo,” he said. (Don’t put yourself in a box.)
For him, style is meant to evolve. You don’t have to stay in one lane or define yourself too early. What matters is your voice — the thing that remains even as your work changes form. But finding that voice requires humility.
Geloy encourages creatives to loosen up. When ego fades, honesty takes its place. And honesty, he believes, is where real connection begins.
That honesty comes from feeling everything. The highs, the failures, the rejection — they all serve a purpose. “Kolektahin mo lahat ‘yun — armor mo ‘yan.” (Collect it all — that will be your armor all throughout your life.)
From there, he discovered the power of vulnerability. Being open—even at the risk of being ‘cringe’ or overly emotional — creates space for others to be real too.
“‘Pag honest ka — honest din ang audience mo.” (If you’re honest, you will also attract an honest audience.)
Protect yourself, remember yourself, keep moving
But honesty comes with weight. Working with deeply human stories means carrying them too. That’s why Geloy emphasizes the importance of stepping back. “Mabigat ‘yung ibang letters… kailangan mag-step back.” (Some of the letters are heavy to my emotions… you need to take a step back.)
Above everything else, Geloy returns to one simple idea: keep trying. “Bat ‘di ako pwede?” (Why not me?)
There are no guarantees in creative work. No clear timeline for success. But movement — no matter how small — matters.
“Mas malaki chance ‘pag sinubukan.” (You’ll have higher chances if you try.)
Because in the end, progress isn’t about certainty. It’s about persistence. About showing up, again and again, even when nothing is clear yet.
“’Di mo alam kung kailan… subukan mo lang. Usog lang ng usog,” he said. (You don’t know when it will happen… just try. Keep pushing forward.)
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