DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Mindanao Inquirer photo correspondent Jeoffrey Maitem bagged the first prize in the professional category of the photo contest, “Oro, Plata, Mata,” conducted by journalists at the Ateneo de Davao University (ADMU) early this month.

The photo contest, aimed at calling attention to the ill-effects of mining, was a partnership between the Philippine Misereor Inc. and the Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (Pecojon).

Pecojon reported on its website that the South Cotabato-based Maitem’s entry, which depicted drama in the rescue operations following a landslide at a mining site in Compostela Valley early this year, bested other entries.

Mindanews photojournalist Keith Bacongco bagged the second prize while the third prize went to David Leprozo Jr., who is based in Baguio city.

Mindanao photojournalists also dominated the amateur category, with the first and second prizes won respectively by General Santos-based Reynald Remegio and Bukidnon-based H. Marcos Mordeno, the Mindanews editor-in-chief. Julius Mariveles, a Bacolod City-based photojournalist, won third prize in this category.

Remegio’s emotional picture of the rescue operation during the landslide in the Tampakan mining site in South Cotabato won first place while Mordeno’s picture of a girl processing minerals at the Zamboanga del Norte mining site won second. Mariveles, who won third, revisited an idle mining site in Negros Occidental.

The photo contest also included a special category with Mario Ian Mosquisa winning first prize, Ma. Narcisa Badilla, second prize; and Villardo Abueme, third prize.

Special awards were  given to photographers Jes Aznar, Reynaldo Remegio and Ma. Narcisa Badilla, who submitted their pictures before the Earth Day celebration on April 22 this year.

Winners of the photo contest’s professional category were given a plaque, token from Pecojon Philippines, a copy of their own photo exhibit panel and a cash prize of P22,000, P17,000 and P11,000, respectively. Those who won the amateur category got a plaque, a copy of their photo exhibit panel, a Pecojon Philippines token and cash prizes of P15,000; P12,000 and P9,000, respectively.

All winners were flown to Manila to receive their prizes during the September 9 awarding ceremony held at the Ateneo de Manila University, where a photo exhibit was also offered for public viewing.