The winning entries for this yearâs Hulagway sa Kadayawan featured the color and vibrancy of the 38th Kadayawan sa Dabaw.
Besting over 200 other photo entries is the photo of a smiling performer during the Indak Indak sa Kadayawan – “Hayag na Pagngisi” by Juliene Eve M. Vale.
The judges said the photo outshined the others as it gave justice to its depiction of the colorful festival.
“I feel as though this photo is incredibly vibrant and colorful. It really captures the energy, movement, dynamism, and abundance that we’d like to see in the Kadayawan festivals,” said Shanti Red Amparo, a 2D Artist/Illustrator and one of the judges.
Mark Kinlee Ocay, also one of the judges, said that “the alternating dark and light areas give the picture tonal contrast and visual impact.”
“This is the type of image that you would see if someone comes to Davao and joins the celebration, this is actually what they would see so it was great that it was captured in a photo,” said Erimand Dejeto, Mindanews photojournalist, and also one of the judges.
Second place went to “Bahandi”- a photo that depicts a child from the Ata Tribe and was taken by Prince Dorothy T. Abangan.
Dejeto said that the photo shined because of its composition, and the photographer was also able to choose the setting that the subject was highlighted.
Ocay added that the photo has a good composition that made the subject very clear.
“The photographer was able to capture the diversity, the vibrance of indigenous people and indigenous cultures in Davao but in a solemn, quiet moment,” Amparo said.
“Selfie”- a photo showcasing an old woman taking a selfie with other old women from the Ata tribe, which was shot by Jake Lawrence Espinosa, bagged the third place.
“This is a very happy photo, when I see it, I just smile looking at it. It just makes you smile,” Dejeto said on why the photo stood out.
“This is a moment that really captures the captivating smiles of individuals in one frame. It speaks a lot of messages, especially ang nagkuha ani younger generations na (especially so that the one who captured it belongs to the younger generations). There is realism and authenticity of the subject,” Ocay said.
“There is a conceptual contrast in the photo between the woman in modern wear holding the gadget and the people surrounding them in their traditional garb. I feel that this photo is a connection between the past and the present between modernization and traditional culture,” Amparo said.
Apart from the major awards, the winners of the three consolation prizes for the Pag-abli, Garbo and Kasikas categories, and four consolation prizes each for the Pamulak and Indak-Indak categories were announced at the Hulagway sa Davao Page.
Pag-abli runner-up photo “Habi-habihan”, shot by Jake Lawrence Espinosa, also grabbed the Mayor’s Choice award.
The judges of the event expressed gratitude and support to the Hulagway sa Kadayawan, especially since it accepted entries from 12-24 years old this year.
“It is a really a good activity for younger generations to be involved in the community and showcase the beauty of Davao, the beauty of celebration and most importantly the spirit of a warm community,” Ocay said.
Dejeto said with the entries showcasing diversity, they, as judges, really had a hard time choosing this yearâs winners.
Meanwhile, Amparo said that she was honored to be given a chance to be the judge for this year’s Hulagway sa Kadayawan.
âI feel genuinely honored to have been given the chance to look at these amazing entries it makes me really happy to know that there are so many young creatives in Davao City who have such a keen eye for beauty who want to pay homage to their culture to our traditions and want to showcase these things through photography, through their art. I hope that these young creatives would continue developing their skills, continue participating in these events and showing the world their talent,â Amparo said. CIO
