Tuesday, February 20, 2007
QUEZON CITY PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS
His name is Darius Flake, the first prize winner of the Quezon City Digital Photo Contest held last month. I took this picture of him yesterday during the awarding ceremony and the opening of the photo exhibit on the second floor of the Quezon City Hall. Darius is a soft spoken photojournalist who hailed from Zambales and now resides in Cavite with his wife and young children. Unlike a typical top prize photo contest winner who would run off to Hidalgo to buy himself his dream lens, Darius intends to use his twenty thousand peso award money to pay off some overdue bills and personal loans. He believes that his having won the contest was God’s response to his prayers.
One of his children suffered an illness a couple of months ago, and the only way he could pay for the child’s medical expenses was to put his motorcycle as collateral for a personal loan. His wife was also involved in an accident in which one of her legs was amputated; the medical expenses from that incident also depleted their savings. To make matters worse, the money he regularly earns as a photojournalist barely pays for his family’s daily living expenses so, one can only imagine the financial challenges that Darius has to contend with. Unarguably, the top prize money he won will assuage his financial dilemma, as well as enable him to reclam his motorcycle, which is his primary mode of transport. Personally, I was happy that it was Darius who won the top prize.
After the opening ceremony and the opportnity to meet with some of Quezon City’s top administration officials such as Mayor Belmonte, Vice-Mayor Bautista and Congressman Crisologo, there was a breakfast buffet for all participants and guests.
Besides, Darius I also got to meet Raphael Dorilag, the second prize winner. I was thrilled to hear that he found out about this photo contest through his co-worker who, in turn, found out about it through my blog site. There was also Akira Liwanag, a high school student who was one of those who earned an honorable mention.
Darius with Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte.
Raphael Dorilag, the second prize winner, just returned from a Banawe trip that very same morning and had to dash-off to work immediately after the ceremony.
This young man, Akira Liwanag, standing in front of his winning photograph of a couple up in a tree inside the Quezon Memorial Park, is another big surprise for me. An extremely quiet young man in person, but check out his photoblog site, Akira's Darkroom. This young man's photo coverage of former President Estrada in his Tanay resthouse is quite impressive. Furthermore, his namesake, Akira Kurosawa, happens to be a personal idol; Kurosawa was, after all, the legendary master cinemaphotographer.
Mayor Belmonte and Vice-mayor Bautista with other top city officials viewing the photo exhibit.
Incidentally, the other picture right below Darius’ is mine — Afternoon in the Park. It won an honorable mention and I got to meet the mayor. The prize money I received will pay for my next photography workshop.
More significantly, besides the prize money and having had the honor of meeting the mayor of Quezon City, this entire event provided me with the opportunity to meet more of our talented local photographers. I should also mention my having had the pleasure of meeting pro photographer, Romeo Mariano of the Quezon City Cultural and Tourism Affairs Office. Both he and Madam Cheri were such gracious hosts.
Maraming salamat po!
Labels: Quezon City, Quezon City Digital Photo Contest
posted by Señor Enrique at 9:24 AM
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