ILOILO CITY—It was an afternoon of stories and history as UPIC HS alumnus Francisco G. Villanueva (Class 1965) officially launched his new book, Bugasong to Barcelona: Life & Works of Felix Laureano. The event, held with support from Class ‘65, the UPV Office of Alumni Relations, and the Friends of UP Visayas High School Foundation, Inc., brought together friends, old classmates, and history buffs eager to mark the occasion.

Villanueva spent 15 years researching Laureano, a name many might not recognize, but whose story deserves a place in the country’s memory. Felix Laureano, born in Bugasong, Antique and later making his mark in Barcelona, is regarded as the first Filipino photographer. His photographs captured Philippine life at the close of the 19th century, providing rare glimpses into local scenes and the Filipino experience.

The book is packed with archival photographs and documents, many seen for the first time, and reflects the long hours the writer poured over historical records and family recollections. Readers will find themselves tracing Laureano’s footsteps from Antique to Europe and discovering new insights about Filipino identity, the diaspora, and the growing presence of Filipinos in global art.

Bugasong to Barcelona is a tribute to a forgotten pioneer and a reflection of one man’s dedication to setting the record straight. For students, history buffs, or anyone curious about the roots of local photography, Villanueva’s work offers plenty to learn—and plenty to appreciate.