Filipino Photojournalist Captures Intense Moments in LA Protests
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — In the midst of the ongoing heightened immigration crackdown protests in Los Angeles, a Filipino-American award-winning and veteran photojournalist Joe Cobilla, Jr. has committed to be there to capture every moment.
“I know it’s dangerous but it is my mission and passion to take photos of events as they unfold,” Cobilla told TFCN.
Cobilla also confirmed that there were some Filipinos who joined the protest last June 8 in Downtown Los Angeles. "There were small groups of Filipinos there but they don't want to take the frontline," he said.
As one of the oldest leaders of the Philippine Press Photographers (PPP)-USA, Cobilla started his career at the Public Information Office (PIO) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Camp Crame. He also worked in public relations offices of then Ministry of Tourism and Central Bank of the Philippines.
Cobilla also covered notable events such as the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations New York; the first ASIA Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) held in Seattle. He was also one of the official photographers assigned to cover the first Miss Universe in 1974 in Manila, Philippines.
The infatigable lensman holds the records of being the only Filipino photographer to have covered eighteen countries, twenty eight times of Miss Universe contests.
He also holds the record of consistently winning first prize in the National Press Club (NPC) Elizalde Photo Contest from 1979 to 1983.
A few years after he immigrated to the United States in 1984, Cobilla worked as contributing photographer and photo editor with the Asian Journal, Dyaryo Pilipino, Tribune USA, TM Herald, TALIBA, and Philippine Times.
He also worked for KODAK USA and Disneyland Hotel for 11 years. He now contributes to Inquirer.net.us and The Philippine Post.
A self-proclaimed tireless shutterbug said his guiding principle is to remain active (in taking photographs) until he is no longer able to do so.
Photo Source: Joe Cobilla, LA Photojournalist
