Awards Night Celebration
The awards night is another night of merry making and indulgence of the banquet and wine prepared by Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort. We also got to watch the amazing on-site video of the past 3 days’ event filmed by the talented Jess Lapid, jr.
Kudos to the Organising Team
For the organising body: the Dive Market team of Philippine Department of Tourism spearheaded by Wen Sorioso and Glen Agustin, and Director of Competition Jerome Kim, this is a time to relax and enjoy the fruit of almost one year of hard work. Although for some, it’s a night of anxiety waiting for the result of the competition. One is last year’s champion who is back to defend his title. Understandably so as we have many well known photographers, foreign and local, who graced this competition with their participation this years.
It takes people behind the scene like myself to appreciate how far this event has come from last year. Everything was smooth, almost stress free. The team has amazing learning curve perfecting the event after only 1 experience. It is my hope that the amazing Dive Market team will be kept even when administration or DOT secretary changes.
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner
Finally, the winners were announced one by one. Many ecstatic participants, including last year champion Cem Gazivekili who won DOT Photographer of the Year, Open Class again. I’m happy for many of my dive friends who also won: Adrien Uichico who bagged 2nd place in open class portfolio. Ike and Baby Fajardo who did not win last year, but each won a category; Bebot and Kay are repeat winners; Alexis Principe placed 2nd in Open Class, Macro category. He was last year’s Compact Class Champion but was convinced to upgrade to Open Class this year. I happily noted that many Filipino photographers placed including the DOT Photographer of the Year Compact Class, Dennis Corpuz.
But at the end of the day, I believe everyone is a winner. If only for the gorgeous weather that accompanied every dive. Not to mention the new friends everyone inevitably met. I bet everyone significantly increased their facebook friends during the 4 days.
Bok & Cem moment | toggle sound manually
For those who didn’t have this event in their radar, and want take part in the next event, follow the Facebook Page: Anilao UW Photo Competition Festival for instant updates.
Slideshow of Winners & winning photos, in the order of Awarding
https://youtube.com/watch?v=EMU9q2aW6Y4&feature=youtu.be
Winners List
Sorry I can’t make this table responsive for mobile phone. Just watch the video. :)
Random photos during the awardingÂ
They’re therefore either mine, Jerome’s or Evie’s
Portfolio Winners
Macro/Super Macro Winners
Animal Behavior Winners
Nudibranch Portrait Winners
Crustacean Portrait WinnersÂ
