JTI Philippines champions Filipino photography by launching SinagLarawan, its first nationwide photo contest.
Featuring the theme “Ang Pinoy Matibay" (The Filipino Strength), the contest showcased the Filipinos’ resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. JTI tapped professional and amateur photographers by partnering with local photo clubs and organizations across the Philippines.
An esteemed panel of judges, including JTI Philippines General Manager John Freda, meticulously selected the top 100 entries from a pool of over 400 submissions.
"The SinagLarawan is more than a competition," said Mildred Sabarre, Corporate Affairs and Communications Director at JTI Philippines. “It is also a testament to the passion within each photographer, the appreciation for visual storytelling, and the profound love for the Philippines and its people."
Grand Winner Michael Varcas thanked JTI Philippines for "commissioning this platform to showcase our skills." "We're already looking forward to next year!" expressed Finalist Raul Montes.
Winning photographers and clubs won a total of two million pesos in cash prizes, helping fund their artistic endeavors. Apart from supporting the arts, the contest served as a medium in immortalizing winning photographs through the publication of a 2024 calendar and photo book, preserving a legacy to inspire Filipinos for years to come.
The SinagLarawan Photo Contest is the latest in JTI Philippines’ ongoing series of initiatives in its commitment to the arts over the past decade.