PCP mourns the passing of Sonny Yabao

Photo: Gigie Cruz/PCP

The Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines mourns the passing of Presciano 'Sonny' A. Yabao. He passed away at midnight on Thursday, February 11, 2021.

An honorary member of the PCP, Yabao’s journey as a photojournalist began in a portrait studio where he worked as an assistant in his 20s.

Considered as one of the best documentary photographers in the Philippines, Yabao worked for several local and international publications. He documented former first lady Imelda Marcos as a photographer for the Bureau of National and Foreign Information during the 70s. He was named Photojournalist of the Year by the Press Photographers of the Philippines and the National Press Club in 1985.

After Martial Law, he became the photo editor of Newsday, a broadsheet that ran from 1989 to 1991. He was mentor to many well-known and accomplished photojournalists in the country and his contributions to Philippine photojournalism cannot be measured.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.