A 41-year-old university lecturer in creative photography at Bath Spa University UK – RAK campus has made waves in the photography scene after being named one of the 10 winners of the prestigious MAGNUM x Polaroid contest. Selected from over 2,000 global submissions, Jed Bacason’s winning series pays homage to Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) mothers and their profound sacrifices for their children.
Living in Dubai since 2013, Bacason has spent the last 11 years immersing himself in the stories of OFWs. For his winning series, he drew inspiration from these narratives and his personal journey. “The deepest inspiration for this series comes from my wife, Patty,” Bacason shared with The Global Filipino Magazine. “Her strength and courage were extraordinary, especially during the pandemic when we faced immense challenges and lost almost everything. Despite it all, she remained a loving and devoted mom to our daughter, Isabella.”
Bacason’s photographs shine a light on the struggles OFW parents face, particularly mothers. He explained that many of them parent from afar, enduring the heartbreak of separation to secure a better future for their children. “One topic that often came up was their children’s well-being, especially those left back home in the Philippines. They shared how tough it is to parent from a distance, how children sometimes grow distant or rebellious because they don’t fully understand why their parents had to leave.”
The winning series featured portraits of OFW mothers paired with heartfelt letters they wrote to their children. To bring his vision to life, Bacason collaborated with Ressel, an OFW whose story deeply resonated with him. “I asked her to write a letter to her children, sharing everything she wanted to say to them. She agreed and handed me the letter the next day, telling me it took several drafts to finish because her tears kept smudging the ink,” Bacason recalled. This emotional connection became the cornerstone of the project.
Capturing the essence of these stories was no small feat. Bacason initially struggled to find a medium that could convey the depth of emotion he wanted to express. The breakthrough came when he decided to use Polaroid’s black-and-white film for the portraits. “The black-and-white film didn’t just capture their portraits beautifully. The immediacy and physicality of a Polaroid photo added an emotional weight that matched the letters,” he explained. The result was a series that resonated deeply with viewers, intertwining visual and written narratives.
Bacason hopes his work will highlight the boundless love OFW parents have for their children. “The only message I hope the audience takes from this series is the same realization I had while creating it — that OFW parents’ love for their children is immeasurable,” he said.
Winning the MAGNUM x Polaroid contest has opened new doors for Bacason, who plans to expand the project. “I aim to include 20 to 30 portraits, or as far as my project funds will allow,” he said. Once completed, he intends to send the photos and letters to their rightful recipients. “They were never really mine to keep, and I’ll gladly let them go.”
Check the gallery below:
