Kapampangan lensman now in US to claim awards

GUAGUA -- Award-winning photographer Ruston Banal is now in New York to receive his awards from the International Photography Awards (IPA) for his photo that depicts a Kapampangan religious and cultural practice.

Banal's entry "Kuraldal" landed first place and also got the honorable mention for the overall category in the IPA. The IPA is considered as the "Oscars" in the world of photography. The competition attracted 20,000 entries from various countries.

The photo depicts the festive dance ritual in Betis district over a venerated cross during the feast of Saint John the Baptist.

The same photo also won in the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards in London under the culture category. It was exhibited from April to May 2013 at the Somerset House Gallery.

Banal has four shortlisted entries in the 2013 Maybank Photography Awards with the theme "Inspiring Asia". He also won an award in the said contest.

Banal was a top fine arts graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, where he majored in Art History.

He currently teaches photography at the Department of Communications of the Far Eastern University and advertising courses at the University of Sto. Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design. He also taught multimedia and art history subjects at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the East College of Fine Arts.