Unseen hours

Date of Publication

12-2025

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts Major in Communication Arts

Subject Categories

Communication

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Communication

Thesis Advisor

Ruepert Jiel D. Cao

Abstract (English)

This thesis explores sex work as an often invisible form of labor, one that remains unprotected and deeply stigmatized within society. In the religious and conservative contexts, prostitution is particularly condemned and frowned upon, with the widespread moral judgment directed toward the women involved. By focusing on the human experience of sex work, this study seeks to highlight the emotional struggles and complex challenges faced by women within the industry.

Through a photo essay entitled Unseen Hours, the authors collected various interviews (face-to-face and online), asking different sex workers about their emotional struggles when working. The documentation includes transcripts and textual interview answers, providing experiences that the researchers have used to develop a narrative for the photo essay. The material consists of a total of 12 photos, with still shots, superimposed photos, and a cinemagraph that vividly illustrates the vulnerabilities of female sex workers in the Philippines. A model was contacted to represent the composed narrative. The authors note at the end of the photo essay that the model serves solely as a representation of the narrative and is not personally connected to the story. All photographs were taken in person, and the complete photo essay is publicly accessible through its website.

By sharing the diverse stories of female sex workers, Unseen Hours not only seeks to represent the sex work community but also to amplify the voices of those who are too often unheard. The project aims to reach those who feel voiceless, reminding them that they are seen, they are heard, and they are not alone.

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

Sinusuri ng tesis na ito ang sex work bilang isang uri ng invisible labor na nananatiling walang proteksyon at lubos na hinuhusgahan ng lipunan. Sa relihiyoso at konserbatibong konteksto, ang prostitusyon ay kinokondena at hindi katanggap-tanggap, kalakip ng malawakang moral na paghatol sa mga kababaihang may kaugnayan sa gawaing ito. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtuon sa karanasang pantao ng sex work, ang pakay ng saliksik na ito ay bigyang diin ang mga emosyonal na paghihirap at komplikadong suliranin na hinaharap ng mga kababaihan sa industriya.

Sa ginamit na photo essay na pinamagatang Unseen Hours, ang mga awtor ay nangolekta ng iba’t ibang panayam (face to face at online), at nag tanong sa iba’t ibang sex worker tungkol sa kanilang emosyonal na paghihirap kapag sila ay nagtatrabaho. Ang dokumentasyon sa pangongolekta ng impormasyon ay naglalaman ng talaan at pantekstong mga sagot na naglalaman ng mga karanasan na ginamit ng mga mananaliksik upang makagawa ng salaysay para sa photo essay. Ang materyal ay binubuo ng labing dalawa (12) kabuuan na larawan na naglalaman ng mga nakapirming larawan, pinagpatong-patong na larawan, at isang cinemagraph na nagpapakita ng karanasan at panganib na hinaharap ng mga babaeng sex worker sa Pilipinas.

Sa pamamagitan ng pagbabahagi ng salaysay na kinatawan ng iba’t ibang kwento ng babaeng sex worker, ang layunin ng Unseen hours ay hindi lamang ipakita ang kahirapan sa komunidad ng sex work, sapagkat nais din niyong iparating at palakasin ang boses ng mga madalas na hindi pinakikinggan. Layunin ng proyekto na pakinggan at makita ang mga taong nahihirapan sa industriya, at lalong ipaalam sa kanila na hindi sila nag iisa sa pagsubok na kanilang hinaharap.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Photojournalism; Sex workers--Philippines; Prostitution--Philippines

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Embargo Period

12-5-2025

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