CITY OF SAN FERNANDO-- Kapampangan photographer Ruston Banal has won another award, this time in the Moscow International Fotography Awards (MIFA) for the same photo that won him two recognitions in the United States.
Banal is currently in New York to receive his prize from the International Photography Awards (IPA) for his photo that depicts the Kapampangan religious and cultural practice "Kuraldal."
"I dedicate this award again to the Kapampangan people whose culture and traditions have been the inspiration of many of my works," Banal said, adding that he is now coordinating with MIFA regarding the latest award.
MIFA conducts an annual competition for professional, non-professional, and student photographers worldwide.
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 had 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.
Banal 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.