IT WAS a beautiful photo of M'langen Falls that allowed a nurse to bag the grand prize of the 14th Maitum Photo Safari Contest of the Bangsi Festival.
Denn Jib Seblos received a total cash prize of P28,500 and trophies during the January 28 awarding ceremony at the municipal hall.
Seblos, a first timer in the contest, won third place for Explore Tuanadatu Category (P2,500 and certificate), first prize for Festival Category (P6,000 and trophy), and the grand prize of P20,000.
“My winning photo is a landscape shot, in portrait orientation of M’langen Falls in Barangay Tuanadatu. The travel and trekking time to get to the falls was long and tedious plus the added heavy downpour made it really hard to get to the spot,” Seblos said.
“A ‘challenging’ shot to take is an understatement, but it is all worth it in the end. The rain was actually a blessing; it added more water and made the scene more dramatic. I’m definitely coming back,” he said.
Seblos is a registered nurse who worked in Sydney, Australia for eight years.
“As it was my first time, I was quite excited. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was blown away by the experience. Who would think that in a P500 registration fee, you’d get a cool printed shirt, a certificate and ID badge, free accommodation for three days and two nights, free food and drinks, and more. The organizers really did a great job in taking care of their participants. Kudos to Ma’am Beth Ramos and her team!” he said.
Alex Rush Aniceto Jr. won the second Major Prize of P12,000 while the third Major Prize of P10,000 went to Marlon Martinez. Both have been actively participating in every Photo Safari Contest here.
Aniceto, who was the grand prize winner in 2018, also won this year’s Mayor’s Choice Award together with Afren De Guzman and Michael Kenn Liva. They received certificates and P2,500 each from Mayor Bryan Reganit.
For Explore Tuanadatu Category, Aleli Faith Cabahug was the winner with P6,000 and trophy. For Shootout Category, Hajar Kabalu won the 1st prize with P6,000 and trophy. For Street Dancing Category, Hajar Kabalu still got the 1st prize with another P6,000 and trophy.
The Maitum Photo Safari is the biggest and longest-running photography competition in Soccsksargen. The competition started in 2005 by then Mayor George Yabes, who was a photo enthusiast himself, and organized by Elizabeth Ramos, the municipal accountant.
There were more than 60 photographers including local photographers from as far as Cotabato City and Davao City. Local photographers from Maitum and Kiamba as well as photographers from General Santos City, Koronadal City, North Cotabato, and other nearby provinces participated in this year’s contest. There were 400 entries submitted, which were taken during the 12th Bangsi Festival on January 23 to 25 and was judged on January 27.
Judges were Jesus “Susing” Tinapay Jr., a veteran Davao photographer and chair of the board of judges; Ariel Pascua, a CPA, street photographer and SOX blogger; and former photojournalist Serafin Ramos Jr., Sarangani Provincial Information Officer. (Donna Mahusay/Sarangani Communications Service)