DOMCAR CALINAWAN LAGTO

The Award-winning photographer who captured the series of volcanic lightning using his smartphone during the Taal Volcano eruption on January 12, 2020, and mentioned as “Taal’s Volcano: The Picture that Traveled Around the World by Stephen Conmy a Senior Manager, Editorial of Shutterstock on his article published on January 23, 2020. His photograph “The Lightning Dragon” an image that reached around the world, having been published in titles such as The Guardian, New Scientist, MSN, The Telegraph, and Nature.com and others— where it was bestowed “Image of the Week.” It was acknowledged as the most striking image of 2020 on BCC Culture when Kelly Grovier picks 14 of the most startling photos from this year– and compares them with iconic artworks. This iconic photograph also gained various awards in international photography competitions. Born and raised in Barangay Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas, Domcar Calinawan Lagto is a self-taught filmmaker, photojournalist, visual artist, layout and graphic designer, teacher, surfer, and author, whose work is covered by surf, lifestyle, and news subjects. His first self-published book TAAL VOLCANO MANS’ LAND draws from the life story of the Volcano Island in Taal Batangas, Philippines captured five years before its eruption in 2020. He is a former School Head of Natipuan Elementary School for seven years and currently the School Head of Papaya Elementary School who envisioned an ideal future public school.