The Photographer Who Made the World Look Twice: Gab Mejia’s Journey to TOYM 2024

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C Biraogo — December 19, 2024

THE suffocating smoke over Agusan Marsh was more than just a tragic symptom of burning peatlands—it was a wake-up call. For a young Gab Mejia, standing helpless in its toxic grasp, it marked the beginning of a journey from witness to conservation hero. Today, that smoke has evolved into a rallying cry, immortalized through Mejia’s lens and his unyielding quest to reveal what the world often overlooks.

It was this very spirit—an alchemy of artistry, activism, and audacity—that earned Mejia his spot among the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of 2024, celebrated in the Arts and Culture category. But to reduce Gab Mejia’s work to titles and trophies is to miss the story entirely. His lens is more than a tool; it’s a weapon wielded in defense of those who cannot speak—the wetlands, the wildlife, and the indigenous people pushed to the margins of existence.

From Burning Marshlands to Global Platforms

Mejia’s photographic journey began as an intimate exploration of the Philippines’ fragile ecosystems. His project Guardians of the Marsh brought him face-to-face with the embattled Manobo tribe, whose ancestral lands in Agusan Marsh are being ravaged by deforestation and climate change. These images—raw, heart-wrenching, and beautiful—became more than art. They became evidence, propelling conversations in local and international circles about the cost of human apathy.

His drone shot of peatlands ablaze, ignited by palm oil producers, is an image seared into the public consciousness. It stirred enough outrage to prompt inquiries from local authorities, proving the power of Mejia’s artistry to translate into accountability.

But Mejia is not content with merely documenting despair. He believes in the transformative power of storytelling. Through his projects like The Animals We Are and The Passage of Storms, he weaves narratives that connect the climate crisis to our shared humanity. “If we cannot see ourselves in the destruction we cause, we’ll never find the courage to change,” Mejia often says.

The Accidental Advocate

What makes Mejia compelling isn’t just his artistic talent but the unexpected trajectory of his life. A civil engineering graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Mejia’s path might have veered into skyscrapers and urban grids. Instead, he chose to look at the earth’s foundations—the wetlands, the forests, the ecosystems that sustain life.

This pivot was neither accidental nor without its costs. In one interview, he recounted how mentors like Dr. Gideon Lasco and inspirations such as conservation photographers Ami Vitale and Michael Nichols helped him discover that advocacy could be built as much on passion as on knowledge. Armed with these insights, Mejia has redefined what it means to be an environmentalist in the Philippines, where the line between activism and danger is perilously thin.

The Brotherhood That Forged a Leader: Gab Mejia’s Journey

A lesser-known but equally defining aspect of Mejia’s life is his membership in Upsilon Sigma Phi, the country’s oldest Greek-letter fraternity. For Mejia, the fraternity was not just a social institution but a crucible that honed his values of leadership, resilience, and service.

His brothers recount late-night discussions where Mejia argued fiercely about the intersection of art and advocacy, urging his peers to see beyond privilege and into purpose. “Gab doesn’t just talk about change; he lives it,” says one of his batchmates. This ethos permeates his work, inspiring young leaders to recognize the power of collective action in addressing environmental and social crises.

The Global Ripple Effect

As a National Geographic Explorer, Mejia’s reach has extended far beyond the Philippines. His photographs have graced the pages of Vogue Philippines, CNN, and UNDP, cementing his role as a global storyteller. Recognition from prestigious organizations such as the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia and the WWF International President’s Youth Award affirms the impact of his work.

But for Mejia, accolades are secondary to action. His co-founding of Youth Engaged in Wetlands (YEW), a global network active in over 30 countries, reflects his belief in empowering the next generation. Through platforms like the Flyway Youth Forum, Mejia brings together youth leaders to discuss solutions for wetland conservation.

“Young people have the energy and the audacity to demand a better world,” Mejia says. “My job is to help them see that their voices matter.”

A Legacy of Hope

Gab Mejia’s story is not one of an individual success but of collective awakening. Whether it’s through his hauntingly beautiful images, his grassroots advocacy, or his ability to inspire global movements, Mejia is creating ripples that extend far beyond the frame of his photographs.

In a world often blinded by chaos, Mejia sees—and shows us—the possibilities of hope. As he steps onto the stage as one of this year’s TOYM awardees, one can’t help but wonder: How many more marshlands will be saved, how many more voices will rise, and how many more lives will be changed because one young man dared to pick up a camera and fight?

The answer is still unfolding, one photograph at a time.