The celebration for the biggest fiesta in town is not over yet, as the winners of the Aliwan Fiesta 2024 Photography Competition are here!
This year’s Photo Competition was open to both amateur and professional photographers, where contestants were allowed to submit three photos of different performers or floats.
Eleven out of the 337 entries were chosen and ranked by the judges during their deliberation at the MMG Boardroom in the afternoon of July.
Entries were mainly judged on the technicalities of the shot like camera technique, lighting, and angle. Other factors such as editing, were also considered. However, to prevent shot duplications, images with similar angles and framing were carefully examined before their elimination—despite their differences in lighting and tone.
The panel of judges included Mr. George Tapan, a veteran, and multi-awarded Filipino Travel Photographer, Mr. Jophel Ybiosa, a multi-awarded Photographer and Founder and Executive Director for Team Juan Marketing, and Mr. Jimmy Domingo, a Senior Photojournalist and Chairperson of the Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines, Inc.
One of the winning factors that the judges were looking for was capturing the spirit and essence of Aliwan Fiesta in one shot.
During their discussion, judges had difficulty choosing the best photos to rank, as the judges greatly considered the other contestant’s skills. They wanted to give those unfamiliar with editing tools some leeway, especially those with precise framing.
There were three rounds in total before the list of winners was finalized. In the discussion, the judges expressed that each photographer has their own form of expression with the art. They wanted the photographers' personality and message to shine through the emotions evoked by a single shot.
However, with Aliwan Fiesta, they wanted the photos to appear festive and lively, as it is known as the grand fiesta of the country.
In the end, 11 photos were chosen based on the judges’ interpretation and perception of the images.
The list of winners for the Photography Competition is the following:
First Place
Aliwan Portal by Carlo G. Zamora
Prize: Php 50,000
Second Place
Hala Bira by Christopher John M. Llerin
Prize: Php 25,000
Third Place
Colors of Aliwan by Edurdo Gapal
Prize: Php 10,000
Aside from the three winners, eight participants were also given a consolation prize of Php 2,500 each. The list of contestants who will receive the consolation prize are:
- Twist for Joy by Hamlito A. Nocete Jr.
- Dancing Queen by Jose Melencio M. Brillo
- The Rise by Michael Quintin
- Suyo by Conrad P. Panelo
- The Meguyaya of the Teduray by Xyril C. Cuaresma
- Colors and Rhythm: Celebrating the Story of our Vibrant Heritage by Alvin B. Casitas
- Teduray of Upi by Redante Auxilian
- Indomitable Spirit by Raniel Jose Castañeda
The awarding ceremony for the winners will be on September 20, 2024.
