Forest, Mountain View Entries Bag Top Prize in “Selfie for Biodiversity”
 |
| Mt. Pulag by Rei Gallardo, 1st Prize |
Underwater shots with “Patrick” the star fish and “Nemo” the clown fish, coral reefs, jumping spiders, butterfly moths, pawikan hatchlings, pitcher plants and wild berries – these were just some of the unique plant and animal species that became the focal point of entries submitted by “selfie-loving” Filipinos in a month-long search for the best photos showing the country’s rich biodiversity and how one can help conserve what’s left of it.
In the end, the entries of Rei Gallardo Jr. of Mandaluyong and Andrea Gaurana of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu were named as grand prize winners in the digital camera and mobile device categories, respectively. Gallardo’s entry entitled “Mt. Pulag” showed the majestic pine trees in Benguet while Gaurana’s entry entitled “Dulang-Dulang” featured summit views of Mt. Kitanglad. Emerging as second and third prize winners in the digital camera category were the entries of Ira Beau Baconguis from Quezon City (Butterfly Moth) and Irvin Jethro Velas of Pasig City (Forest Selfie). In the mobile phone category, the entries of Butuan City’s Alexa Percy Darling Bustamante (Reach) and Davao Oriental’s Erwin Baluro (Pitcher Plant) were named as second and third prize winners, respectively.
Their entries, together with those of other finalists, will be put up in an exhibit at the amphitheater of Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City starting May 22. Also to be included in the photo exhibit are the entries of Mandaue City, Cebu’s Keith Liston (Giant Clam Sanctuary, mobile device category) and Quezon City’s Jophel Ybiosa (Water Hyacinth, digital camera category). Their entries were named as Special Prize winners by the Manila Bulletin’s Picture Perfect.
 |
| Rei Gallardo, first prize winner (digital camera) together with Dir. Mundita Lim (BMB) and Berthold Schirm (GIZ) |
With the theme “Protecting the Reservoir of Life, Selfie for Biodiversity,” the contest was organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Biodiversity Management Bureau (formerly Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau) in line with the celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity (IDBD) in the Philippines. The federal government of Germany, through Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, has sponsored the contest.
The IDBD is an annual event that seeks to increase the people’s understanding and awareness on key issues about biodiversity, with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) composed of 193 member countries leading its celebration throughout the world. Now on its 14th year, the United Nations has proclaimed May 22 of each year for celebrating IDBD to commemorate the adoption of the text of the CBD on May 22, 1992.
 |
| Dulang-Dulang by Andrea Xayide Gaurana, 1st Prize |
With the theme “Island Biodiversity,” this year’s celebration of the IDBD is focused on helping create awareness on the rich natural resources that our country’s island ecosystems harbor. Unknown to many, islands contain a unique assemblage of life, and the isolation of these areas has since resulted in the emergence of unique species, each with distinct genetic characteristics. This explains why the Philippines, as an archipelago, is now also home to a rich diversity and endemic species of plants and animals.
Aside from the photo contest and photo exhibit, other activities in line with the celebration of IDBD this year is the launching of a coffee table book on selected Philippine wildlife, a youth camp that aims to foster awareness among the youth on biodiversity, and a Philippine Biodiversity Festival featuring the biodiversity of 12 island provinces/island clusters in the country including a display and sale of nature-friendly products from those islands. The festival will be opened at NAPWC on May 22, and will run until June 22, 2014.
 |
| Andrea Gaurana, 1st Prize Winner (Mobile Device Category) together with Dir. Mundita Lim (BMB) and Berthold Schirm (GIZ) |
Berthold Schirm, Principal Advisor of the Protected Area Management Enhancement (PAME), said, “On behalf of GIZ, we wish to affirm our commitment in supporting the Philippine government in its efforts for promoting and advancing biodiversity conservation in the country. We would also like to commend the DENR, through BMB, for spearheading a more meaningful celebration of international day for biological diversity in the Philippines this year.”
Source: GIZ Philippines
No comments: