Deo Montesclaros

Portrait of Deo Montesclaros photographed by Issa Baguisi

Deo Montesclaros

Photography

Manila

Deo Montesclaros (he/him) is a photojournalist and writer from Manila, Philippines. His work focuses on human rights, environmental issues, political protests, news, and culture. While covering news and editorial stories, his lens also captures the religious fervor of a predominantly Catholic nation through religious festivals and cultural events. 
In his work he focuses on issues affecting marginalized communities and underrepresented sectors. 

Languages: English, Filipino

Topics: Climate & Social Movements, Environment, News, Reportage

Exhibition: Kanayunan Blues

Portrait photo: Issa Baguisi

DW reportage on Deo Archive Deo's Website
On May 1, 2024, amidst the Labor Day celebrations, workers and progressive organizations confront the anti-riot police force as they march towards the United States Embassy along Roxas Boulevard, Manila City, Philippines. Their demands to the government include better wages, the removal of American troops from the Philippines, and a call for the American government to address the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Thousands of activists, religious organizations, academics and members of civil society organizations participate in the annual commemoration of the EDSA People Power Uprising on Feb. 25, 2025, in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. The uprising led to the overthrow of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s 14-year rule on Feb. 25, 1986.
Thousands of activists, religious organizations, academics and members of civil society organizations participate in the annual commemoration of the EDSA People Power Uprising on Feb. 25, 2025, in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. The uprising led to the overthrow of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s 14-year rule on Feb. 25, 1986.
Hundreds of thousands of Catholic devotees throng the streets of Manila in a show of religious devotion called the Translación, during the annual Feast of the Jesus Nazareno on January 9, 2025, in Manila City, Philippines. During the Translación, devotees walk barefoot, jump, and clutch at the cross carried by the life-size statue of Jesus Nazarene, believing it to bring miracles and healing. The image of the Jesus Nazarene is believed to have been brought to the Philippines by missionaries of the Order of Augustinian Recollects from Mexico in 1606. It is now enshrined in the famous Minor Basilica of the Quiapo Church in the Archdiocese of Manila. Before being transferred to Quiapo in 1868, the life-size statue of the Jesus Nazarene was enthroned at St. John the Baptist Church in Luneta, Manila.
Overseas Filipino Worker Mary Jane Veloso was repatriated to the Philippines from Indonesia on December 18, 2024, after nearly 15 years of detention for allegedly committing drug trafficking and being sentenced to death by firing squad. Upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, she was transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, where she was greeted by her family and loved ones. She will remain at the facility while awaiting a decision from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding the appeal for clemency made by her counsel and family members. Mary Jane Veloso (in black) with her family members.
Workers and progressive groups clash with police forces during the 161st commemoration of Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio on November 30, 2024, along Recto Avenue, Manila City, Philippines.
Workers and progressive groups clash with police forces during the 161st commemoration of Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio on November 30, 2024, along Recto Avenue, Manila City, Philippines.
Workers and progressive groups clash with police forces during the 161st commemoration of Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio on November 30, 2024, along Recto Avenue, Manila City, Philippines.
Filipino progressive groups gather on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines, on July 22, 2024, to protest the failed promises of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his third State of the Nation Address.
Filipino progressive groups gather on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines, on July 22, 2024, to protest the failed promises of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his third State of the Nation Address.
A son of a rice farm worker holds a featherless bird his father prepares for their supper after a full day of planting rice seedlings for a wealthy farmer on June 16, 2021, in Isabela province, Philippines. While they do not have the cash to purchase food and provisions, the poor farmer settles for hunting birds in the rice fields to provide a protein-based diet.
Tens of thousands of Catholic devotees of the Santo Niño, the child Jesus, in Tondo and Pandacan, Manila, participate in the procession and parade the statue during the annual Lakbayaw festival. Lakbayaw is a combination of the Filipino words lakbay (to travel) and sayaw (to dance). The event also includes Buling-Buling, a street dancing festival where devotees dress in colorful, dazzling traditional Filipino attire and march to the beat of bands. The procession took place on January 18, 2025, a day before the Feast Day, celebrated every third Sunday in January. The image of the Santo Niño was brought to the Philippines by Portuguese conquistador Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. He gifted it to Hara Amihan of Cebu (later named Queen Juana) during her baptism, making them the first natives to accept Christianity.
Tens of thousands of Catholic devotees of the Santo Niño, the child Jesus, in Tondo and Pandacan, Manila, participate in the procession and parade the statue during the annual Lakbayaw festival. Lakbayaw is a combination of the Filipino words lakbay (to travel) and sayaw (to dance). The event also includes Buling-Buling, a street dancing festival where devotees dress in colorful, dazzling traditional Filipino attire and march to the beat of bands. The procession took place on January 18, 2025, a day before the Feast Day, celebrated every third Sunday in January. The image of the Santo Niño was brought to the Philippines by Portuguese conquistador Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. He gifted it to Hara Amihan of Cebu (later named Queen Juana) during her baptism, making them the first natives to accept Christianity.
Devotees of the Jesus Nazarene attend the Misa Mayor, a midnight mass before the Translación, on January 9, 2025, at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila City, Philippines. During the Translación, devotees walk barefoot, jump, and clutch at the cross carried by the life-size statue of Jesus Nazarene, believing it to bring miracles and healing. The image of the Jesus Nazarene is believed to have been brought to the Philippines by missionaries of the Order of Augustinian Recollects from Mexico in 1606. It is now enshrined in the famous Minor Basilica of the Quiapo Church in the Archdiocese of Manila. Before being transferred to Quiapo in 1868, the life-size statue of the Jesus Nazarene was enthroned at St. John the Baptist Church in Luneta, Manila.
On May 1, 2024, amidst the Labor Day celebrations, workers and progressive organizations confront the anti-riot police force as they march towards the United States Embassy along Roxas Boulevard, Manila City, Philippines. Their demands to the government include better wages, the removal of American troops from the Philippines, and a call for the American government to address the Israel-Palestine conflict.
A total of 118 families from Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, Philippines, seek shelter at the Bagong Silangan Evacuation Center on November 17, 2024, due to the expected flooding in low-lying areas cause by Super Typhoon Man-yi, local name Pepito, near the Marikina River.
On July 25, 2024, residents of Marikina, Philippines, clean their homes, salvage products and personal belongings ruin by dirt and mud after heavy rain and flooding from Typhoon Gaema, locally named Carina.
Moritz Heck Raimond Lueppken