Usep stude wins photo-essay tilt

MONICO Malubay of the University of Southeastern Philippines placed first in the Matters of the Heart: Photo-essay Awarding Ceremony on September 28, 2012.

Malubay's photo-essay entitled “Help she needs, Help she gives” featured Barangay Health Worker and Peer Support Volunteer Gloria Taganait from the Matina Aplaya Diabetes Association.

"I would like to thank Mam Gloria Taganait and the rest of the persons with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes who have been the source of inspiration of my photo-essay entries," Malubay expressed.

The photo-essay entries were written and captured by students from different colleges in Davao City. Other winners of the said competition were Dennis Flores from the University of Immaculate Conception who placed second for his photo-essay "Courage", a story of a diabetic amputee from Agdao District.

Joel Allaga, Jr. from Holy Cross of Davao College bagged the third prize for his entry “Diabetes 24/7”.

The winners were judged by Philippine Daily Inquirer Visayas Correspondent Hazel Villa, award-winning Davao Photographers Jojie Alcantara and Rhonson Ng, head of the Technical Coordination Unit of Handicap International-Philippines Program Satish Mishra and Information Officer from the Philippine Information Agency-Davao Carina Cayon. Entries were judged according to its relevance to the theme, composition, creativity and originality, technical quality and visual impression.

City Health Officer Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, City Mayor's Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio, Southern Philippines Medical Center Diabetes Educator Elena Zapanta and CVD Project Manager, Handicap International Dr. Ivy Nolasco, presented the certificates of recognition and brand new DSLR cameras as prizes to the winners.

Matters of the Heart was organized to raise awareness on CVD by putting forward the stories of persons with diabetes, hypertension and persons with disability (PWD) due to CVD complications like stroke, amputation or visual impairment whose lives have changed for the better because of the CVD Project.

The competition was organized by the Cardiovascular Disease Project of Handicap International. The entries were displayed from September 28-29, 2012 at the Abreeza Ayala Mall just in time for the World Heart Day celebration.