ABOUT

Linus Guardian Escandor II

 

An independent Filipino photojournalist documenting conflict, disaster, political upheaval, and humanitarian realities in the Philippines.

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Escandor built his career in the era of print transmission and wire distribution, when images were produced under deadline, field risk, and editorial scrutiny. His long-term coverage includes the Marawi siege, the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, and the Philippine anti-drug campaign during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte.

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His photographs focus on vulnerable human conditions — faces, hands, and transient moments shaped by poverty, violence, and survival — images created not for spectacle but for historical record.  Escandor began his career as a staff photographer for the Manila Bulletin, one of the country’s oldest broadsheets, covering calamities, conflict zones, and political developments.

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Since 2016, he has worked on assignment for international news organizations including CNN International, Reuters, European Pressphoto Agency, Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Anadolu Agency, ZUMA Press, Red Bull, and ESPN. His work has been widely published in the Philippines and abroad.  A self-taught photographer, Escandor has participated in collective exhibitions in Bosnia, Berlin, France, London, New York, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines.

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RECOGNITION

Escandor is a three-time recipient of the Asia Media Awards (formerly IFRA Awards), and has received additional professional recognition in the Philippines and abroad.  He is a recipient of the Catholic Mass Media Award for Photojournalism.

He received acknowledgment from National Geographic for his performance at the Eddie Adams Workshop, where his work was recognized among emerging international talents.   Participated in collective exhibitions presenting documentary photography works such as Xposure Internatinal Photography Festival in Unted Arab Emirates, WARM Exhibition in Sarajevo, Bosnia, to name a few.​

His work documenting the Marawi siege has been recognized in exhibitions and presentations including the Graphic Expo Philippines.  

 

MISSION

To document human experience through long-term visual witnessing, preserving moments of conflict, vulnerability, and resilience in Philippine history.

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IN MEMORY OF BARBARA “BOBBI” BAKER BURROWS

In 2009, during the Eddie Adams Workshop, Escandor received words that would quietly shape his confidence for years to come. Following his recognition connected to National Geographic, Barbara “Bobbi” Baker Burrows — the longtime LIFE magazine photo editor who helped shape the legacies of Gordon Parks and Alfred Eisenstaedt — approached him and said:

“Linus, I really wanted you to win the Nat Geo award in this workshop. I am impressed by your work.”

Weeks later, she wrote again:

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“I really meant what I said to you.”

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