Fading memories (Photo Story)


A photo story about a child whose father and grandfather, who were peace activists, were allegedly abducted in 2006. They remain missing to this day.

Rogelio Calubad and Gabriel, father and son, had gone missing since June of 2006. They were allegedly abducted by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Rogelio Calubad and Gabriel, father and son, had gone missing since June of 2006. They were allegedly abducted by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Without a trace they disappeared...
Without a trace they disappeared...
Rogelio Calubad was a peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). But his son Gabriel, was an electrician. They were abducted in Quezon Province.
Rogelio Calubad was a peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). But his son Gabriel, was an electrician. They were abducted in Quezon Province.
Nanay Beth, wife of Rogelio was left to care for their youngest daughter and Gabriel’s daughter.
Nanay Beth, wife of Rogelio was left to care for their youngest daughter and Gabriel’s daughter.
Since the two disappeared. Nanay Beth, became the source of strength of their family. She acts serves to keep Gabriel in the memory of his daughter, Sugar
Since the two disappeared. Nanay Beth, became the source of strength of their family. She acts serves to keep Gabriel in the memory of his daughter, Sugar
Sugar was just 3 years old when Gabriel disappeared. In her tender age, she barely remembers her father.
Sugar was just 3 years old when Gabriel disappeared. In her tender age, she barely remembers her father.
His father's photos keep him alive in Sugar's mind.
His father's photos keep him alive in Sugar's mind.
When the photographer met Sugar last 2007, his impression was that she is just a typical little shy girl. But then she asked him, "Do you know my father? Do you know where he is?"
When the photographer met Sugar last 2007, his impression was that she is just a typical little shy girl. But then she asked him, "Do you know my father? Do you know where he is?"
With those questions, the photographer told himself, “This girl lost not only her father, but her future as well.”
With those questions, the photographer told himself, “This girl lost not only her father, but her future as well.”
Nanay Beth, provides everything to Sugar, from her physical needs to her psycho-social needs.
Nanay Beth, provides everything to Sugar, from her physical needs to her psycho-social needs.
Nanay Beth accompanies Sugar to school.
Nanay Beth accompanies Sugar to school.
Though Nanay Beth does her best, Sugar still longs for her father and grandfather.
Though Nanay Beth does her best, Sugar still longs for her father and grandfather.
Nanay Beth also provides Sugar's with the memory of her father and husband, painstakingly bridging the memories of the disappeared to her granddaughter.
Nanay Beth also provides Sugar's with the memory of her father and husband, painstakingly bridging the memories of the disappeared to her granddaughter.
Nanay Beth's commitment to look for her beloved husband and son never waivered since 2006.
Nanay Beth's commitment to look for her beloved husband and son never waivered since 2006.
She continuously seeks justice not only for them but also for other victims of human rights violations.
She continuously seeks justice not only for them but also for other victims of human rights violations.
Beth sought the help of the highest levels of governance for her plight.
Beth sought the help of the highest levels of governance for her plight.
Since 2007, Sugar has been under the Orphan Support Program, undergoing therapy and counseling with child-psychologists of the Children's Rehabilitation Center.
Since 2007, Sugar has been under the Orphan Support Program, undergoing therapy and counseling with child-psychologists of the Children's Rehabilitation Center.
According to CRC, Sugar has a vague concept of family.
According to CRC, Sugar has a vague concept of family.
With the help of different human rights organizations, Nanay Beth, her daughter and Sugar remain hopeful that they will be reunited with their disappeared.
With the help of different human rights organizations, Nanay Beth, her daughter and Sugar remain hopeful that they will be reunited with their disappeared.
"For the relatives of desaparecidos like us, what keeps us going is the hope that someday we will find them....alive," said Beth Calubad.
"For the relatives of desaparecidos like us, what keeps us going is the hope that someday we will find them....alive," said Beth Calubad.
For Sugar, Nanay Beth is her lifeline. Without her, Sugar's bridge to her past might be broken and her memory of her father may fade.
For Sugar, Nanay Beth is her lifeline. Without her, Sugar's bridge to her past might be broken and her memory of her father may fade.

Article on the Calubad case in the next page.