MANILA - It all started in 2007, while he was working as a domestic helper in Paris, France.

Ryan Arbilo got inspired to become a photographer after seeing an exhibit of American photographer Richard Avedon at Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume.

With a simple point and shoot digital camera in hand, he would capture every corner of the City of Light's beautiful and artful landscapes.

He didn't go to any photography school nor did he learn from a professional photographer. Arbilo taught himself how to take photographs, turning to books, online tutorials, and friends who know a thing or two.

Determined to pursue his passion, he eventually purchased a professional camera.

"I knew that I won't be a domestic helper forever. When I had the money, I bought photography equipment. Paris is a place where art is everywhere and you get inspired everywhere you go. It's like the city is feeding your creativity and lets it grow," he said.

'CHICKEN HANDS'

Two years later, Arbilo thought of taking photographs of Filipina workers' hands after seeing a relative whose hands were swelling as a result of intense physical labor.

He has since been documenting various hands of Filipina domestic helpers.

"After seeing her hands, I felt something different. Just seeing them evoked an emotion in me, that's why I thought this would be a great subject. I called it 'chicken hands' because it reminded me of the lyrics, 'isang kahig, isang tuka' from Freddie Aguilar's song 'Dukha,'" the 35-year-old photographer recalled.

He found several female overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who were willing to get photographed. In 2013, he approached Maison Européenne de la Photographie, a very prestigious photography gallery in Paris, in hopes of getting an exhibition.

The gallery's director immediately loved his work and gave Arbilo an exhibition date. Unfortunately, he didn't have the proper papers as a legal migrant then.

He got his papers two years later. On September 16, 2016, he finally opened his first exhibit at Maison Européenne de la Photographie along with six other photographers, making him the first Filipino to have his works on display at the gallery.

BACK IN PH

This year, Arbilo is bringing in the nine photographs—including a portrait of his mother—he exhibited in Paris to Manila.

His "Chicken Hands" show at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati City will open on April 25 and will run until June 17.

Photo by Ryan Arbilo

Photo by Ryan Arbilo

Photo by Ryan Arbilo

Photo by Ryan Arbilo

"I'm very happy to have this chance to exhibit my work here at Yuchengco Museum. Filipinos need to be aware of the sacrifices of our Filipina OFWs," he said.

Born and raised in Calauan, Laguna, Arbilo and his three other siblings were left by their mother, Rose, to work as a domestic helper in Paris.

Arbilo studied to become a computer technician when he was 18 years old. He was also studying French language at that time in preparation for his migrant petition.

"When I arrived in Paris, I didn't know anything. I did not know how to clean houses. I even broke some of my employer's things like figurines and crystals," he recalled.

FUTURE PROJECTS

Arbilo now has more than 50 portraits for his "Chicken Hands" series. He also earns money taking photos at weddings.

Currently, he is working on a project called "Tour de Force," where he takes photographs of successful Filipino migrants like designer Michael Cinco.

For the project, he intends to go to different countries to meet more OFWs like in Oslo, New York, Australia, Hong Kong, and Spain.

"I love taking portraits because the challenge is to capture that moment, the emotions. You have to wait for that right moment," he said.

"For people who want to pursue their passion, do it, continue it. Also, never stop learning, that's the most important thing," he ended.