PAGCOR Photo Contest 2024 Grand Winners Announced

By The Financial District

Sep 18, 20243 min read

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced the 24 grand winners of its prestigious 2024 Photography Competition, which attracted nearly 4,000 entries nationwide.

PAGCOR President and COO Wilma Eisma (4th from right) together with Directors Francis Concordia (extreme right) and Gilbert Remulla (extreme left) with the Conventional Category winners 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"). I Photo: PAGCOR

With the help of seasoned photographers and exceptional visual artists who served as jurors during the regional and final screenings, PAGCOR carefully selected photo entries that stood out for their originality and visual impact.

In the Conventional Category, eight grand prize winners received a PHP100,000 cash prize each, while 16 grand winners from the Mobile and Drone categories received PHP50,000 each.

Additionally, the eight consolation prize winners in the Conventional Category received Php35,000 each, and the 16 finalists in the Mobile and Drone categories were awarded Php20,000.

This year’s photo competition, themed “Harvest Time,” showcased the rich creativity and insight into the agricultural resources of the Philippines, as well as the hard work of Filipino farmers, growers, and fishermen.

PAGCOR President and COO Wilma T. Eisma, who attended the awarding ceremony at the agency’s Corporate Office in Pasay City, emphasized the competition’s importance in recognizing the exceptional talent of Filipino photographers.

“I am grateful to be part of an organization that promotes art and Filipino culture while recognizing the talent of Filipino photographers,” she said.

“This competition places PAGCOR on the map as a strong supporter of culture and the arts.”

Eisma added that this year’s entries were not only exceptional but also captured the beauty and essence of the harvest season in the Philippine countryside.

"Once again, we were amazed by the quality and beauty of the entries we received this year. This proves that we truly have many talented photographers—whether professional or amateur,” she said.

“Despite the challenges posed by the El Niño phenomenon we experienced until May of this year, thousands still participated and submitted their entries."

The Conventional Category winners are 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).

For the Mobile Category, the grand winners are 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).

Meanwhile, grand winners in the Drone Category are 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).

PAGCOR also gave away a PHP10,000 cash prize to each of the winners of the People’s Choice Awards: Christian Jose A. Zamora for his entry, “Future Farmer” (Mobile Category); Joshua E. Escalona, “God’s Grace” (Drone Category); and Jaime S. Singlador, “Resilient Filipino Family Harvesting Together” (Conventional Category).

The winning photos will be featured in PAGCOR’s corporate desk and wall calendars for 2025.