PH Entries Dominate APEC 2019 Photo Contest
First Prize Winner/ Popular Choice Award: Wind of Change by Danilo Victoriano. (Singapore PE photo)

SINGAPORE 20 December 2019 – Filipino photographers bagged top prizes during the 2019 Annual Photo Contest of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, as announced by the APEC Secretariat in Singapore on 07 December 2019.

“The winning photograph by Danilo Victoriano from the Philippines – who has won previous APEC photo contests – captured several themes of Chile’s year as APEC host economy, including empowering women in the economy and fostering a digital society. The cheerful photograph received the most ‘likes’ and votes through the APEC website,” the APEC Secretariat’s website announced. 

Danilo Victoriano from the Philippines won First Prize with his entry “Wind of Change.” The same entry also won the Popular Choice Award selected through social media. First prize earned Victoriano a total of SGD 3,500 in cash prizes. Meanwhile, another Philippine entry by Klienne Eco’s “No Cash No Problem” won Third Place with SGD 1,650 prize.

Chair of APEC 2019 Senior Officials Mathias Francke announced the winners at the Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (CSOM) in Singapore, which was attended by Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Lourdes O. Yparraguirre as head of the Philippine Delegation.  "The APEC Photo Contest reflects the forum’s commitment to put people at the front and center of its work,” said Francke.

Under the theme “Connecting People, Building the Future,” adopted by Chile for its hosting year, a total of 1,405 photos were submitted. Eventually nine entries were selected as finalists, including seven from the Philippines.  Now on its ninth year, the contest was open to amateur and professional photographers who are citizens or residents from the 21 APEC member economies.

Photo submissions were judged based on their interpretation of APEC 2019’s priorities, as well as the photographs’ composition, quality, and creativity. The panel of judges consisted of APEC Secretariat Executive Director Francke, Dr. Rebecca Sta. Maria, photojournalists Guy Wenborne from Chile and Hong Kong-based Palani Mohan, and North America photo editor for Agence France Presse Eric Baradat.  “Photographers from across the region continue to translate APEC’s policy priorities into captivating images,” said Dr. Sta Maria. “The APEC Photo Contest allows the public to share their views. APEC will continue to foster this vital two-way conversation,” she also added. The winners were selected in the blind by judges and by online votes.

The announcement of the winners for the contest capped the 2019 hosting of Chile of the APEC which concluded with a meeting by Senior Officials. END

Third Prize Winner: No Cash No Problem by Klienne Eco. (SIngapore PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.singaporepe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSingapore.