DAVAO CITY—Two Dabawenyo photographers received grand finalist honors for their photos during the PAGCOR Photography Contest 2024.
Jerome Batain, a Davao City-based event photographer and Maisi Book also a Dabawenyo photographer were among the 16 grand finalists for the conventional category.
They are part of the 48 grand finalists in the photography contest organized by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
This year’s PAGCOR photo contest theme is “Harvest Time” which celebrates the abundance of the country’s agriculture and fishery sectors.
From the 16 grand finalists, eight were chosen as grand winners in the conventional category. They winning photographers were; Jaime S. Singalor (Resilient Filipino Family Harvesting Together); Vyktor M. Regala Jr. (Liswi); Ruel P. Coloso (Isang Araw sa Buhay ng Mangangalakal ng Talaba); Janice A. Tadoyo (Danggit Fishing); Jan Paul C. Jose (Damong Dagat); Buddy P. Gadiano (Golden Harvest); Albert C. Aguado (Harvesting Abundance); and Arturo B. De Vera (Salt of the Earth).
They were joined by eight grand winners in the drone category; Nicko A. Melendres (Taal Lake Fisherfolk); Carlo G. Dacumos (Rice in Bar Graph); Jeash Coven Mizpah Del A. Artajo (Sunset Symphony); Mark Lawrence C. Pagaran (Nightfall Bounty); Abdul-him G. Ibrahim (Pusod ng Bungsod); Marlo B. Demo-os (Subsistence Farming); Jose Revoli S. Cortez (Sustainable Fibers) and Rea Angel B. Macalandag (Sustainable Fish Farming).
And eight winners from the mobile category; Ivan Cris E. Romero (Ageless Harvest); Jenevie O. Estrella (Balad); Melvin C. Anore (Gems of Laguna Lake); Claro M. Rayos Del Sol (Family Harvest); Christian Jose A. Zambra (Future Farmer); Wilfredo N. Lumagbas, Jr. (Catching Crabs); Liemuel E. Pantuhan (Banana Extravaganza: A Feast of Abundance) and Lemuel Ragasa (Masaganang Ani).
The eight grand winners in the conventional category received P100,000 with trophies each while the 16 grand winners in the drone and mobile each received P50,000 in cash and trophies. The winning photos will be featured in PAGCOR’s 2025 corporate calendars.
Batain and Book and the other grand finalists received P35,000 and certificates.
Maisi Book’s photo “Rice for every Juan” shows farmers harvesting rice in Calinan, Davao City. Batain’s photo “The Heart of Harvest” shows a farmer couple harvesting corn in Compostela town, Davao de Oro.
“Gi-contact nako ang tag-iya, nag-ask mi kanus-a sila mag harvest tapos nangayo mig permission kung makashoot mi,” Book said of his photo.
(I contacted the farm owner, I asked if when they would harvest and asked permission if we can shoot them during their harvest)
Book said this is third time to join the PAGCOR photography contest and the first time he was named as one of the finalists.
“Naga join ko festivals sa laing lugar sa mga contests muapil ko,” he said.
(I would join festivals from other places and would enter in their photo contests)
For Batain, who likes to shoot candid photos, the couple in his photo was the uncle and aunt of his wife.
“My concept was wanted to capture farmers in the middle of the field while harvesting corn. I told them na doon na spot sila mag lagay nang mga harvest nila and then suddenly po biglaan lang yung chineck nila ang corns isa isa at nagtinginan na para bang may kilig,” Batain recalls his shoot.
(I told them to put the harvests there and suddenly while they were checking the corns they look at each other like there was some romantic thrill)
Batain said being named as one of the finalists is a big achievement for him.
“I was so happy when PAGCOR called. Di ko inakala na mapasama ako sa as one of the finalists napakalaking opportunity to showcase my talent to represent Davao,” Batain vividly remembers receiving the news that he was one of the lucky 48 grand finalists.
(I did not expect to be named as one of the finalists it is a very big opportunity)
For Book, the awarding ceremonies held in Manila on September 17 was one exciting experience as it was during the event where the winners were announced.
He said it was such an honor to be chosen as among the finalists considering that 4,000 photos were submitted from all over the country.
A photo taken in Maragusan, Davao de Oro by a Cagayan de Oro photographer titled “Banana Extravaganza: Feast of Abundance” was named as one of the eight grand winners in the mobile category of the photography contest. (PIA/RGA)
