Manila Standard photographer Teddy Pelaez has won the Best Picture for Romblon province in the recent 1st Mimaropa Photography Contest and Exhibit held during the Mimaropa 3 Festival in Romblon last Nov. 20 to 25.
Pelaez’s photograph, entitled “Biniray Festival Queen” was one of five winning photos picked by world-renowned photographer George Tapan in the event organized by the Department of Tourism-Mimaropa in partnership with Think Dharma Inc./Nikon Philippines, in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Romblon.
The winning photos were displayed at the Legislative Building of the Municipality of Odiongan, Romblon.
Pelaez won P20,000 and gift items from Nikon for his award.
A total of 31 professional and amateur photographers all over the country joined the contest, drawing 108 entries. The entries were trimmed down to 35 slots, representing the five provinces and two cities of Mimaropa – the region made up of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.
From the 35 slots the best picture for each province and city were chosen by Tapan, the Nikon Pro.
The Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro host for the 4th Mimaropa Festival promised to have a bigger and a longer duration for the 2nd Mimaropa Photography Contest.
Other winners also receiving P20,000 and Nikon goodies were: Occidental Mindoro Best Picture—“Sailing of Faith” by Gilbert Pantoja in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro; Oriental Mindoro Best Picture—“War Dance of the Centurion” by Joel “Bong” Garin at the Centurion Festival, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro; Palawan Best Picture – “El Nido, Palawan” by Noriel Nueca in El Nido, Palawan; and Mimaropa Best Picture – “Liwanag Sa Dilim” by Omar Cunananin Puntangasin Hidden Cave, Ambulong Island, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
A Special Award with a P5,000 cash prize was each given to “Muslim Weaver” by John Yayen in Bataraza, Palawan and “Cawa-Cawa Falls” by John Rey Magracia in Tablas Island, Romblon.
Winners can claim their prizes with Domenic Contreras at the Department of Tourism Mimaropa Regional Office, 351 DOT Bldg. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Brgy. Bel-Air, Makati City, with telephone number (02) 890-0945 and email promo.regioniv@yahoo.com.
