No, we're absolutely not going to start a yearender photo essay with the tired adage, "a picture is worth a thousand words." Definitely not.
For one thing, we're showing not just one photo. There's 26 of them.
A crowd of volleyball fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena look at Japan's Yuki Ishikawa as he goes up to serve against the Netherlands during the VNL on June 21.
These were selected by One Sports photographer RM Chua as his favorites across all the events he covered for the year.
And why let the photos to speak for themselves, when we can ask the photographer himself about his favorite shots? We don't want things taken out of context... right?
Double gold medalist Carlos Yulo acknowledges the crowd during the Olympians' homecoming on August 14.
Look back at the year that was through his lens.
And now for something completely different
Sometimes, you just have to play around.
Yuji Nishida of the Osaka Bluteon speaks to the media during the Alas Pilipinas Invitational on September 6.
Why use Photoshop or other editing software when you can create something interesting straight from the camera?
"Create something different lang for the eyes of the viewers," Chua explained.
"It's nice to play or create something from the camera, different lang from the typical shots that everyone makes," he said.
Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry conducts a meet-and-greet with fans and the media on September 17.
But he's not shying away from post-production manipulations either, especially if it's the story you want to tell.
Such is the case in this burst shot stitch of star Dutch volleyball player Nimir Abdel-Aziz during the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Manila.
"Since sobrang lakas niya mag-serve nung VNL, so naisip ko [to] create something na nag-ser-serve siya," Chua explained.
Dutch volleyball star Nimil Abdel-Aziz goes to serve against Canada in the VNL on June 22.
Make it work
Things don't always go the way you want them to. What's important is how you make it work.
During a pivotal UAAP Season 87 men's basketball game, the photographer's area turned out to be packed. It made Chua think.
"Kaya naisip ko na... maybe I can pull off something different," he said.
That effort produced this shot, divided diagonally across the middle, with Kevin Quiambao acknowledging a La Salle crowd up in arms.
He made the game-winning three against the NU Bulldogs.
Two-time UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao takes over for the DLSU Green Archers in their clutch comeback against the NU Bulldogs on September 8.
Let the moment come
The shot though, doesn't always take so much effort. Sometimes it just happens.
Alyssa Valdez shares a moment with team captain Michele Gumabao
when the Creamline Cool Smashers won the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on September 4.
This is especially true during championship celebrations--despite all the scramble to get everything.
"You can really get something that's good na, kasi [the] moment itself [is] maganda na eh," he said.
Bea de Leon signals to Alyssa Valdez when the Creamline Cool Smashers won the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on September 4.
It helps that you know who to look for.
"Let the moment come," Chua said.
Bestfriends Bella Belen and Detdet Pepito shared an emotional hug after Game 2 of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals.
Belen's NU defeated Pepito's UST for the title on May 15.
See, snap... shook.
A photographer must be alert to all the things happening around.
The UP Fighting Maroons coaching staff raise a KQ sign during Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball finals on December 15.
A photo can help spread a story during a controversial moment... it goes way faster ESPECIALLY when there's a controvery.
Controversy brewed in the PVL game between the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Akari Chargers on August 31.
And sometimes, you just get really, really lucky.
Check out the composition in this Alas Pilipinas shot. *chefs kiss*
"Na-amaze lang ako na nakuhaan ko silang tatlong ulo... celebrating in all different angles," Chua shared, chuckling. "Medyo wow na nakaka-shook."
Timely snap as the Alas Pilipinas Men celebrate a point against Vietnam in the SEA V.League on August 16.
Kill your darlings
There's an advice when it comes to writing, "Don't be afraid to kill your darlings."
Chris Newsome leads the Meralco Bolts to their first-ever PBA championship at the expense of the San Miguel Beermen on June 16.
It's an exercise in editing. Don't get too attached to any particular creation so you can trim whatever is necessary.
It seems that's also a challenge in sports photography--when you're taking way too many shots than what is necessary.
The Olympians wave to the crowd in their homecoming after Paris 2024 on August 14.
"Like sobra na sa pag-shoot minsan, walang story or dating, 'di naman na need," he recounted regarding his struggle with overshooting.
"'Yun ['yung] challenging sa 'kin since somehow maganda na 'yung ipo-post, or ang magagamit is may story or dating for viewers."
Team Philippines celebrates as they secured the win on the final day of the inaugural Efren Cup on October 18.
A photographer on the beat also has to think of ways to entertain.
"How can you make it different from your yesterday coverage?" Chua asked. "Para somehow, ikaw sa sarili mo, mag-eenjoy ka."
Eumir Marcial comes home and displays his stunning knockout power in an exhibition match on March 23.
Photography and training for the hike
It has somehow become mandatory for big games to deliver a crowd shot.
So you get ready to run. Lugging all your heavy lenses and all your bags, you sprint those extra meters up the stairs.
The Philippines hosted Chinese Taipei in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Asian Qualifiers on February 25.
You produce a shot where you don't see any specific action and no particular faces. Eagle-eyed fans would be quick to point out any empty seats instead.
And then it all becomes worthwhile when you stick a number to it.
"Since ito, Gilas kasi eh. Kita mo na basketball country pa rin talaga. United at packed talaga 'pag Gilas games," Chua shared.
The Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand game on November 21 drew 11,686 people to the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The story in the background
Most of the time, a sports photo focuses on the athletes.
A wide shot can be helpful in making sure a team is covered.
The Alas Pilipinas Women make history by beating Australia to clinch their first bronze medal at the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup on May 29.
The background suddenly becomes part of the story.
Coach Gab Bajacan is lifted up by the NU Pep Squad after they win the UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition on December 1.
It makes you remember--these athletes are doing this for them.
The UST Growling Tigresses shock then-defending champions DLSU Lady Spikers in five sets on May 5,
returning to the UAAP women's volleyball finals in Season 86.
They're worth acknowledging too.
Like the Ultras celebrating the Philippine men's national football team's first victory against Thailand in 52 years... and right at home in Rizal Memorial Stadium.
"The Ultras, they've always been there through the highs and lows," he said. "Recently, dito sa Manila against the powerhouse Thailand, nanalo tayo and sobrang packed and wild nung Ultras non. Kaya 'yun siguro 'yung best to sum it up for men's football for this year."
The Philippine men's national football team acknowledge the cheers from the Ultras, making history after beating Thailand in Leg 1 of the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup on December 27.
The Philippines eventually lost to Thailand in Leg 2 of the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup and missed the finals. That hurt.
But this photo and the feelings it evokes will stay much, much longer.
Just emotions taking me over
Sports, in the end, is really just all about people.
Gymnast Carlos Yulo participates in a shoot on June 7, ahead of Paris 2024.
And that's why there will always be these moments among Chua's favorites.
JD Cagulangan becomes emotional as the UP Fighting Maroons regain the UAAP men's basketball title, beating DLSU on December 15.
It's something he eventually learned over the years.
"That's how you really reach the viewers. That's how they get the message of the moment," he said.
Camille Clarin of the NU Bulldogs reacts during Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball finals on December 15.
One photo of Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone especially took traction. His face took much of the space. You can barely see anything, his hands covered his mouth.
But his eyes told everything as the Philippines at the time held on to the lead in the fourth quarter against New Zealand.
For the first time, after eight years, Gilas finally defeated the Tall Blacks.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone reacts during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers game against New Zealand on November 21. They eventually won, 93-89.
"'Di ko inakala na dadami 'yung shares... nagkataon lang na nakita ko na ganon 'yung reaction niya," Chua recounted.
And there we end 2024. It took us 1,586 words to tell the stories of over 20 images. It's not a million, but they have probably said enough.
There are countless of ways to tell a story. You can show a video, write some words, use your voice to tell a tale.
But sometimes, all it takes is just a snap.