MANILA, Philippines – Professional and amateur photographers can now showcase their creativity even using a mobile phone.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) invites photo bugs to join the nationwide photo competition dubbed as “Pagcor’s 2nd National Photography Competition” early next year.
Using the theme “Only in the Philippines,” Pagcor said its photo contest will highlight the various facets of the Filipino culture and way of life, and a wide range of attractions that can only be found or experienced in the country.
Maricar Bautista, Pagcor’s Assistant VP for Corporate Communications, said the state gaming firm decided to hold another photo contest in 2014 in response to the clamor of photography enthusiasts to make the competition an annual event.
Bautista said this was also one way of promoting the Philippines to both local and international tourists.
“More than 5,500 professional and amateur lensmen all over the country participated in last year’s photo contest. All of the judges we invited were very much impressed with the turnout and the quality of entries that were submitted. Most of the winners are engaged in various professions but their talent in capturing outstanding photos and their passion for photography are simply remarkable,” she said in a statement.
“Our first photo contest made us realize that we really have so many gifted photographers. We are also happy to learn that our photo contest opened up doors of opportunities for most of them. One winner was able to put up his own studio in Cebu using the cash prize he won from the contest. Another one was hired as a photographer in a cruise ship after winning in the competition.”
The nationwide contest, Bautista said, proves that photography is a “very effective medium to show the best that the Philippines can offer.”
“It may sound cliché but a picture really paints a thousand words. Photos that exhibit fun, happiness, and several awe-inspiring attractions can stimulate interest and generate awareness about the best and unique features of our country,” she said.
“All we need is a camera or even a mobile phone to immortalize all these,” she added.
To make the 2014 edition of Pagcor’s national photography competition more exciting, Bautista said the agency is planning to introduce a special category that will allow contestants to submit photos using mobile devices and smart phones.
“We are finalizing the details. We will announce the full mechanics of our contest, including the prizes at stake in January next year. In the meantime, we encourage all the photographers and the aspiring ones to start taking their best photos. Let us showcase once more the beauty and unique features of the Philippines through the PAGCOR photo contest,” Bautista said.
She said participants must submit photos and images taken anywhere in the Philippines from December 2013 onwards.
“The photos should depict things, images, places, icons, food, culture, celebrations, etc. that are uniquely and proudly Filipino,” Bautista said.
Bautista said the winning entries in the competition will be included in the 2015 calendar of the state-owned gaming firm and will be used in its various communication and promotional collaterals.