BASILIO SEPE | PHOTOGRAPHY

The image of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is seen beside a replica of the Black Nazarene at the Manila Cathedral, Philippines. January 5, 2023.

Filipino Catholic devotees join a procession of the Black Nazarene as part of his feast day in Manila, Philippines. January 8, 2023. Thousands of devotees showed their devotion to the Black Nazarene even without the traditional ‘Traslacion’ or the “grand procession” as part of the safety health protocol set by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Fishing boats are seen parked along the coastline near the disputed waters of South China Sea in Limay town, Bataan province, northwest of Manila, Philippines. January 11, 2023.

A man pulls tubs containing fish at a port area near the disputed waters of South China Sea in Limay town, Bataan province, northwest of Manila, Philippines. January 11, 2023.

Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, one of the winners of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize and Rappler CEO, gestures as she speaks to the media after being aquitted from tax evasion cases against her at the Court of Tax Appeals in Quezon City, Philippines on Wednesday. January 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe)

Foreign passengers from China wearing protective masks as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19 arrive at Manila's International Airport, Philippines. January 24, 2023.

A woman dries clothes in a hillside community in La Trinidad, Benguet province, northern Philippines. January 29, 2023

Rosauro Coronacion, who aspires to become a welder in Finland, works on a piece of metal during a training session organized by the Finns in Manila, Philippines. February 1, 2023. A total of 50 welders arrived from different parts of the Philippines for the welding tests. Twenty of them should be found to work in Finland already for the summer to manufacture tram and train carriages.

A volunteer wears flags with signs as members of climate-impacted communities with the support of Greenpeace Philippines prepare to deliver a demand letter to Shell at their headquarters in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. February 6, 2023. The groups called on the company to stop profiting from destruction and pay reparations for climate impacts.

Philippines Justice Secretary, Jesus Crispin Remulla (seconf from left) with Assistant Secretary, Raul Vasquez (center), shakes hands with United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur, Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz after a meeting at the Department of Justice in Manila, Philippines. February 7, 2023. The visit of forensics expert, Tidball-Binz, to the Philippines will help the government with its investigation into the country's extrajudicial killings and capacity-building for its medical corps.

Members of the Philippine Army stand in formation as rescue personnel, including health workers and engineers attend a send off ceremony for the response team for quake-hit Turkey in Camp Aguinaldo military camp in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. February 7, 2023. The Philippines will send medical and rescue assistance to Turkey that was hit by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake, killing thousands as it toppled buildings and trapped residents under rubble.

A woman sunbathes along the shores of Boracay beach, central Philippines. February 19, 2023.

A student performs during the Panagbenga Festival 2023 street parade in Baguio City, north of Manila, Philippines. February 25, 2023. The annual parade, which returned to the city for the first time after three years due to the coronavirus pandemic, is one of the highlights of the festival where performers from various schools showcase traditional products, materials and dances.

Protesters hold signs as they march during a rally to mark International Women's Day in Manila, Philippines. March 8, 2023. Various women's rights groups held a protest calling for inequality in work places, abuse, harassment and violence committed against women.

A worker installs solar panels on a roof in a residential area in Navotas, Metro Manila, Philippines. March 10, 2023. 

US Navy sailors salute on the main deck of the USS America (LH-6) amphibious assault ship during a port visit in Manila, Philippines. March 21, 2023. The American warship is currently on a routine mission operating with its allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The USS America arrived in the country for a port call, ahead of next month’s annual Balikatan or “shoulder-to-shoulder” exercises involving U.S. and Philippine forces.

Filipino Muslims pray inside a mosque as they attend a mass on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines. March 23, 2023.

The moon passes in front of planet Venus seen from Manila, Philippines. March 24, 2023.

Sharon Tayactac, 38, wears her apron as she prepares to work inside the Silingan Coffee Shop in Quezon City. March 24, 2023. Sharon’s younger brother, Christian, a security patrolman volunteer in their barangay (village) in Payatas, Quezon City, was killed in October 2016, during a raid at the height of President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war

More images and full story here: https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/multimedia/slideshow/04/08/23/coffee-shop-serves-healing-for-drug-war-victims-kin

American soldiers fire a rocket launcher on a mock target during the Salaknib exercise at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province, Philippines. March 31, 2023. The Salaknib is a three-week long annual exercise between Philippine and US armies, involving small-arms live-fire, artillery and mortar live-fire operations. Around 3,000 Filipino and US soldiers participated in the exercise, which comes a month ahead of the ‘Balikatan’, an annual joint large-scale military exercise.

A fireman looks as smoke billows from a burning commercial establishment in Quezon City, Philippines. April 1, 2023

A man portraying Jesus Christ is carried down from the cross as a big crowd of people watch during a reenactment of Christ's suffering and death during Maundy Thursday rituals in Bulacan province, north of Manila, Philippines. April 6, 2023. Millions of Filipinos are expected to go home to their provinces and join religious gatherings and activities to celebrate the Holy Week.

Filipino penitents flagellate themselves in observance of Holy Week in the province of Bulacan, north of Manila, Philippines. April 6, 2023. Millions of Filipinos are expected to go home to their provinces and join religious gatherings and activities to celebrate the Holy Week.

US soldiers fire their High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) on a mock target during the Salaknib exercise at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province, Philippines. March 31, 2023. The Salaknib is a three-week long annual exercise between Philippine and US armies, involving small-arms live-fire, artillery and mortar live-fire operations. Around 3,000 Filipino and US soldiers participated in the exercise, which comes a month ahead of the ‘Balikatan’, an annual joint large-scale military exercise.

US and Filipino soldiers fire Javelin shoulder-launched anti-tank missiles during the "Balikatan" or shoulder-to-shoulder exercises at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija province, north of Manila, Philippines. April 13, 2023. More than 17,000 military personnel are taking part in the Balikatan, the largest-ever military drills between the United States and Philippines, consisting of live-fire trainings, humanitarian assistance and maritime and coastal defense exercises.

Mount Guiting-Guiting is seen covered in thick clouds in Sibuyan Island, Romblon province, central Philippines. May 3, 2023.

A man on a small boat collects plastic garbage along the Pasig River behind the Manila Post Office in San Juan City, Metro Manila, Philippines. September 15, 2022. A huge fire gutted Manila’s iconic post office building on Monday morning and raged for nearly eight hours until it was brought under control.

The blaze that started at midnight consumed most of the Greco-Roman style building and injured more than a dozen people.

It took more than 30 hours before declaring the fire out. Authorities are still probing the cause of the incident. A huge fire gutted Manila’s iconic post office building on Monday morning and raged for nearly eight hours until it was brought under control.

Fisherfolk secure their catch in preparation for super typhoon Betty (international name Mawar) in Navotas City, Metro Manila, Philippines. May 26, 2023. Typhoon Betty, which recently smashed the US territory of Guam, is expected to bring high winds and heavy rainfall as it enters the Philippine area of responsibility and approaches the northern tip of the country.

Residents watch as huge waves brought by Typhoon Betty (international name Mawar) hit the coastline in Santa Ana town, Cagayan province, north of Manila, Philippines. May 30, 2023. The typhoon, packed with heavy rainfall and strong winds, approached the country’s northern provinces prompting evacuation to thousands of villagers living in low-lying and coastal areas.

A drag queen performs during a protest to mark Pride Month in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. June 2, 2023. Equal rights advocacy groups called for an end to discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community and demanded for the passage of the Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Gender Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill, which is pending in the Philippine Congress.

Armed Philippine Coast Guard personnel conduct a search and rescue on board the Melchora Aquino during a trilateral coast guard exercise in the South China Sea off the waters of Mariveles, Bataan province, Philippines. June 6, 2023. US, Japan and Philippine coast guard conducted their first trilateral maritime exercises aiming to enhance maritime law enforcement and security capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.

An LNG carrier is seen docked at a liquified natural gas terminal and plantation in Ilijan town, Batangas province south of Manila, Philippines. June 9, 2023.

A drone image shows a petrochemical plant beside a residential area in Batangas city, Batangas province south of Manila, Philippines. June 9, 2023.

15th wedding anniversary of Bernadette Sembrano and the great grandson and namesake of Emilio Aguinaldo, Emilio the IV. In a simple anniversary mass at Christ The King in Quezon City, the two renewed their vows.

Chinese sailors stand guard as visitors tour on board the naval training ship, Qi Jiguang, after docking for a goodwill visit at Manila’s port, Philippines. Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe)

A member of Greenpeace Philippines dressed as a Grim Reaper, symbolizing climate destruction, join a satirical protest at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. June 15, 2023. The group called on the agency to scrap its partnership with Shell and stop being complicit to the shameless greenwashing of climate destruction brought by the oil company's fossil fuel operations.

A Filipino Catholic devotee covered in mud attends a mass as part of an early morning ritual to mark 'Taong Putik Festival' (Mud People Festival) and the feast day of Saint John the Baptist in Bibiclat village of Aliaga town in Nueva Ecija province, north of Manila, Philippines. June 24, 2023. The annual ritual is held by devotees mainly to give thanks for answered prayers and for more blessings.

Filipino Muslims gather for prayers to celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the biggest holidays of the Islamic calendar at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. June 28, 2023. Known as the "Feast of Sacrifice," many Muslims, aside from praying for the forgiveness of their sins, traditionally celebrate the four-day feast by slaughtering livestock and distributing the meat among family, friends and the poor.

A drone image shows Filipino Muslims praying as they celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the biggest holidays of the Islamic calendar at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. June 28, 2023. Known as the "Feast of Sacrifice," many Muslims, aside from praying for the forgiveness of their sins, traditionally celebrate the four-day feast by slaughtering livestock and distributing the meat among family, friends and the poor.

Filipino Muslims gather for prayers to celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the biggest holidays of the Islamic calendar at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. June 28, 2023. Known as the "Feast of Sacrifice," many Muslims, aside from praying for the forgiveness of their sins, traditionally celebrate the four-day feast by slaughtering livestock and distributing the meat among family, friends and the poor.

A United States UH-1Y helicopter drops a Filipino marine in the ocean during a helocast and maritime patrol exercise as part of the semi-annual Marine Aviation Support Activity or MASA in Ternate, Cavite province south of Manila, Philippines. July 14, 2023. The MASA exercise aims to strengthen regional partnerships and foster military cooperation between the Philippines and United States and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

A woman looks at framed artworks made by persons with disabilities (PWDs) during an art exhibition in celebration of the annual National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week with the theme “Persons with Disabilities’ Accessibility and Rights: Towards a Sustainable Future where No One is Left Behind” inside a mall in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines. July 17, 2023. The art exhibition titled Symphony of Collaged Dreams aims to showcase talents and creativity of persons with disabilities, spread awareness about their condition and promote inclusion and equality.

Police officers stand in formation as they secure the road leading to the House of Representatives where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Manila, Philippines. July 24, 2023.

A drag queen performer holds a placard during a protest rally ahead of the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila, Philippines. July 24, 2023.

Residents use plastic containers as floaters as they wade through a flooded street in Calumpit City, Bulacan province north of Manila, Philippines. July 31, 2023. Monsoon rains continue even as Typhoon Doksuri has left the country, leaving many parts of Manila and nearby provinces flooded.

Sara Eggesvik signs a soccer ball from a fan as members of the Philippine women’s national football team arrive at Manila’s international airport, Philippines. August 2, 2023. The Philippines’ maiden campaign in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was highlighted by their first win against co-host New Zealand, before exiting the tournament via 6-0 defeat to Norway.

A man holds a placard as protesters gather to support protests in Myanmar during a rally in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. August 8, 2023. Labor groups commemorated Myanmar’s People Power Uprising every 8th of August against their government and called for an end to the military junta in the country.

A woman wears a headband with a sign as protesters rally against the recent actions by the Chinese coast guard against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, during a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. August 11, 2023. The group called on the Chinese government to stop its aggressive actions and respect freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, following a recent incident where a Chinese coast guard ship fired a water cannon against Filipino vessels in the disputed region.

Guests enjoy swimming in a hotel pool overlooking a reclamation project in Manila, Philippines. August 12, 2023. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on August 10 suspended several reclamation projects in Manila Bay due to their potential environmental and social impacts.

Friends of Jemboy Baltazar, a 17-year-old who was shot and killed by police, carry his casket before being laid to rest at the La Loma cemetery in Manila, Philippines. August 16, 2023. Baltazar was fatally shot by police on August 2, in a supposed case of mistaken identity.

National Artist for Literature Gemino H. Abad, left, and and Prof. Ed Garcia greet each other during the 20th Gintong Aklat Awards at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Philippines on Thursday. September 15, 2023. The awarding ceremony coincided on the first day of the 44th Manila International Book Fair.

Actress and beauty queen, Pia Wurtzbach, poses during a meet and greet and launch of her book ‘Queen of the Universe: A Novel’ at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Philippines on Thursday. September 14, 2023. Pia graced the first day of the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) with the launch of her first international book.

Activists wearing raincoats with signs hold a protest calling for an end to fossil fuel in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) building in Quezon City, Philippines on Friday. September 15, 2023. Various environment groups joined the march demanding on the Philippine government to reject fossil fuel projects and to switch to supporting clean and renewable energy systems.

Activists light candles and carry signs as they mark the 51st anniversary of martial law during a protest in Manila, Philippines. September 21, 2023. Various groups, including human rights victims, called for an end to killings and corruption and denounced a repeat of abuses and plunder from the martial law era of the father of the country’s current president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Pedestrians cross as traffic builds up along a major thoroughfare in Bangkok, Thailand. October 4, 2023.

A drone image of the Andrés Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan, Philippines.  

Filipino activists wave flags in support to the Palestinian people during a rally in Quezon City, Philippines on Wednesday. October 18, 2023. Tensions in the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas continue to escalate after a massive explosion rocked a Gaza City hospital that wounded and killed hundreds of people.

Thick smog blankets the skyline of Metro Manila, Philippines. October 20, 2023.

A passenger plane flies over the Baclaran Church in Parañaque city, Metro Manila, Philippines. 

Policemen block activists as they attempt to march towards the US Embassy during a protest in support of the Palestinian people in Manila, Philippines. November 14, 2023. Hundreds of protesters condemned the US government’s involvement in the Israel-Hamas war where the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 11,000. The conflict has also left over 1,400 Israelis dead more than a month since Hamas launched its unexpected and brutal attack on Israel.

The sun sets over the horizon seen from La Union in the province of Ilocos Sur, north of Manila, Philippines. 

Members of Greenpeace Philippines project slogans and pictures about climate justice on a floodway in a town prone to the impacts of climate change in Marikina City, Philippines. December 9, 2023.

Catholic priest Flaviano "Flavie" Villanueva places an urn on the ground as he leads the ground breaking ceremony of the first memorial site of victims of extra-judicial killings at the La Loma Cemetery in Caloocan City, Metro Manila, Philippines. December 11, 2023. The memorial site was created to commemorate those who have been killed during the anti-drugs campaign of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Passengers queue as they wait to board their designated bus at a bus terminal in Quezon City, Philippines. December 23, 2023. Millions of Filipinos are expected to flock to bus terminals and ports to travel to and from Manila in celebration of the holiday season.