In his new book, photographer Eddie Boy Escudero opens up his image archive, shedding new light on the Philippines’ legendary club scene. “Look for the bat signal,” the flyer said. Filipino photographer Eddie Boy Escudero had never been to a rave before, but the piece of paper captured his curiosity. Back then, in 1996 Manila, raves weren’t really a thing – but they were about to spark a new era for the city’s nightlife.
When Escudero pulled up to the location, which was inside the Philippine National Library, there was indeed a bat light on the roof. “I entered and as soon as I heard the beat, I fell in love,” he recalls. “I ended up on the floor with my friends and danced all night.”