- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The entry of Celbert Palaganas, titled “Remnants of the Golden Past”, and shot in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental, is one of the grand winners in the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s photography contest mobile category.
Nicko Melendres’ “Mighty Casaroro Falls” of Valencia, Negros Oriental, and Alvin Mike Mahait’s “The Gentle Pawikan of Negros”, shot in Apo Island, Dauin, also in Negros Oriental, likewise made it to the top 12 of the competition in the same category. Each grand winner received P35,000 in cash prize.
Louie Lawrence Lacson, meanwhile, took home P80,000 in cash prize for his “Side Trip Tayo sa Kabalin-An Pond” entry that was shot in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. He is the lone winner from Negros in the conventional category that also has 11 other grand prize winners.
The “Road to Hermit Mountain” entry of John Kimwell Laluma, shot in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, won as “Most Liked Photo”, also in the conventional category.
The non-winning grand finalists in the conventional category received P25,000 while the mobile category grand finalists bagged P10,000 in cash prize each, the Pagcor said.
Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco, who graced the awarding ceremony Sept. 13 at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila, said in a statement that they were overwhelmed by the huge turnout of contest participants, which made a comeback this year following a six-year hiatus.
“We were overwhelmed by the significant number of participants who joined this photo competition. Because of this project’s success, we will make this photography competition an annual event,” Tengco said.
He said that this year’s contest, on the theme “Sa’n Tayo Next?”, showcased relatively unknown but beautiful destinations of the Philippines that hold huge potentials of becoming major tourist spots.
“The winning photos showed just how beautiful the Philippines is. So, instead of going abroad, we encourage all Filipinos to explore the beauty of our country and help promote domestic tourism,” he added.
Pagcor earlier said the photo contest this year, which required that entries should feature hidden or untapped tourist destinations around the country as part of the state gaming regulator’s thrust to promote tourism, attracted 5,407 submissions./CGC
