The City Government of Davao has chosen the top winners in the Hulagway sa Pasko Fiesta 2018 photo contest.
All photos were taken throughout the city’s celebration of the Pasko Fiesta from November to December last year.
Three judges selected the standouts from more than a hundred entries based on the following criteria: Composition (30%), Originality (30%), Creativity (30%) and Relevance to the Theme (10%).
The photo contest had five categories: Kahayag (photos taken during Dan-ag Davao, Kahayag sa Pasko, Lamdag Parada, Parol sa Barangay and Belen Exhibit), Fiesta (photos taken during Pasko Fiesta Salu-Salo, Siyam ka Kadlawon, Pasko Kumbira sa City Hall, Pasko Fiesta Carnival and Torotot Fest), Kasadya (photos taken during Koro Pasko, Sayaw sa Pasko Fiesta, Pasko Kasadya, Panayegon sa Davao and Banda Dasig) and Pahalipay (photos taken during Pasko Pahalipay sa Barangay, Pahalipay ni Santa, Pasko Daba Daba, Yugyugan sa Pasko Fiesta and Tugtugan sa Pasko Fiesta).
Professional photographer Dennis Tan, Data Entry Specialist Alejandro Dejan, Jr., and Sunstar Davao photojournalist Macky Lim were the judges of the contest.
1st Place: “Dan-ag Davao—Pasiunang dalit sa mga Dabawenyo sa pagsaulog sa Pasko” by Arjoy Ceniza
Arjoy Ceniza’s entry “Dan-ag Davao—Pasiunang dalit sa mga Dabawenyo sa pagsaulog sa Pasko” emerged as the top winner of the photo contest. Ceniza will receive P20,000 and a trophy.
“As a photojournalist, a good photo for me is a balance between technicality and storytelling. The winning photo depicts what Davao’s Christmas is all about. Children’s happiness, unity, and the joyful celebration in the city were all present (in) the photo,” said Lim.
2nd Place: “Torotot ni Tatay” by Jerome Batain
The photo entitled “Torotot ni Tatay” by Jerome Batain won second place and a cash prize of P15,000. The photo shows an old man or “Tatay” making noise by blowing a giant torotot to celebrate the New Year.
“The torotot has become a symbol of New Year’s celebration in the city since fireworks were banned. So you can really tell that this shot is about Christmas in Davao,” said Dejan.
3rd Place: “Baby Santa” by Kinneth Bendijo
The third place award was bagged by Kinneth Bendijo’s entry “Baby Santa”, which shows a happy toddler dressed in Santa clothes. Bendijo will receive P10,000.
Meanwhile, the Mayor’s Choice award was given to Ryan Buhian’s entry, entitled “Malipayong Pasko”. His photo showing energetic students playing during the Banda Dasig earned him P5,000.
There are also entries chosen as runners-up in the competition who will get P2,000 each. They are by Dexter Arcenas (6 photos), Marciano Villavito, Rustan Samson (3 photos), Alshadath Ben, Carlos Ng and Danvin Deane Divino. Bendijo and Batain’s other entries also made it as runners-up. CIO
