Five Filipino photographers together raised the Philippine flag in Russia after winning a total of 8 prizes at the Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA) 2020.
Jophel Botero Ybiosa, Sherwin Magsino, Froilan Robas, Cris Magsino, and Edwin S. Loyola were honored among the best photographers in the annual photo competition that seeks to expose talented photographers from around the world and introduce them to the creative community in Russia.
Following are the winning Filipino photographers announced on June 3 (Philippine Time):
GOLD
Jophel Botero Ybiosa – Gold Winner in Events Category and 2nd Place Events Photographer of the Year
The multi-awarded photographer of the Princess Cruise Lines recently won in the Asian Geographic Images of Asia contest for the month of May for his wildlife photography. This time, Ybiosa won two citations in the Events category with his Mud People Festival bagging Gold and 2nd Place for Events Photographer of the Year, the title which he won in 2017.
The caption on the image reads:
The photo depicts the celebration of the Mud People Festival in Nueva Ecija, Philippines on June 24, 2018. Devotees wear dried banana leaves and cover themselves with mud then offer a prayer or pay homage to Saint John the Baptist. According to a local legend, the Japanese soldiers were about to execute the villagers of Aliaga during World War II. But in the midst of a downpour, Japanese soldiers suddenly changed their minds. Afterward, the villagers celebrated by rolling around the muddy ground. There´s a belief that being saved from the execution is a miracle of Saint John the Baptist.
Sherwin Magsino – Gold Winner in Fine Art/Landscape Category
Sherwin Magsino won gold for his Space In-Between landscape photo. The professional landscape and commercial photographer from Manila has won numerous photography awards from National Geographic, Skylum, WPPI, and other organizations. Win Magsino is also an official Fujifilm X-Photographer, Skylum Software Ambassador, Nisi Ambassador, and Nat Geo Contributor.
The winning photo caption reads:
The turquoise lake in the crater of the Kawah Ijen volcano looks serene and inviting. It also happens to be the world’s largest acidic lake. But the main highlight was watching the Milkyway rise on the crater summit, probably the most beautiful mornings I’ve seen from the trip. it was definitely worth the hike.
SILVER
Froilan Robas – Silver Winner in People/Children Category
Architect Froilan Robas won in the People / Children with his Happiness Unmasked, an image of children having fun while waiting for their performance in a cultural event.
Robas also won the Asian Geographic Images of Asia contest for June in the Street/People Category for his Feast of Nazarene image.
BRONZE
Froilan Robas – Bronze Winner in Editorial/General News
Robas wins his second MIFA 2020 Award for another image of Manila’s Feast of Nazarene.
The winning photo caption reads:
Every year thousands of religious devotees flock the city of Manila in the Philippines to join the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene. This year, 2020, the local government decided to put on guard policemen along the procession of the statue to gain security and avoid unnecessary incidents. This young lady devotee of the annual procession with her child seems lost and sad that they cannot come close to the statue to profess her faith due to the number of policemen on guard.
Cris Magsino – Bronze Winner Fine Art/Portrait
Cris Magsino’s first winning photo at the 2020 MIFA is a portrait of a fisherman. Earlier this year, Magsino won the Best of Nation Award at the World Photographic Cup.
The winning photo caption reads:
Our cormorant fisherman actor taking a break. These actors are the only ones left re-enacting the dying tradition of cormorant fishing as almost no fish can be caught and fishing is prohibited on the Li River.
Magsino’s second winning photo at the MIFA 2020 is in Nature/Landscapes Category.
The Vertical Design Inc. photographer’s winning photo caption reads: Milkyway rising over Mt. Ijen, Indonesia.
Edwin Loyola – Bronze Winner in People/Culture Category
Edwin S. Loyola’s Sleeping Beauties also won at the 2020 International Color Awards and the GoPix Exposée.
The winning photo caption reads:
It’s a nap time after several rehearsals before the grand parade/street presentation. Aliwan Festival, Metro Manila Philippines.
HONORABLE MENTION
Cris Magsino also picked up an Honorable Mention in the Advertising Category of the MIFA 2020.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to our Filipino photographers for raising the Philippine flag in Russia’s MIFA 2020 photo contest!
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