Eduardo Masferré

Who was Eduardo Masferré?

Eduardo Masferre was a Filipino photographer who made important documentary reports about the lifestyle of native people in the region of the Cordillera in the Philippines at the middle of 20th century. He was regarded as the Father of Philippine photography.

Born in Sagada in Mountain Province in northern Luzon, his father was a soldier and his family had emigrated from Spain in the late twentieth century. His marriage to Nena Ogues blessed him with six children.

In 1914, he returned to Sant Feliu de Guíxols so that their children could study in Catalonia. But in 1921, he returned to the Philippines. Eduardo finished his studies on the islands. His father eventually became a farmer and an Episcopalian priest.

In his early years, he became interested in photography. He was a self-taught photographer. When he returned to his hometown, he was devoted to take pictures of his surroundings among which were the native Igorots. His photos are mostly pictures of people rather than landscapes. At the same time, he began working with his father on the farm and in Episcopalian evangelism.

When World War II ended, he opened a photographic studio in Bontoc.