SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna — The Local Government Unit of San Pablo City has officially launched the Yakap Lawa Photo Contest as part of the 1st Yakap Lawa Festival, a cultural and tourism initiative celebrating the city’s lakes, arts, and community identity.
The contest is organized, funded, and managed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – San Pablo City, which serves as the official implementing body of the competition.
Anchored on the theme “Yakap Lawa: City of Lakes Music and Arts Festival,” the contest aims to promote creative storytelling through photography while showcasing San Pablo City’s landscapes, culture, and local events.
It features two categories: ground photography, open to DSLR, mirrorless, and mobile photographers, and a special award for Best Drone Shot, which will be judged separately.
The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers aged 18 and above, with a maximum of eight entries per category. Organizers, judges, and their immediate family members are disqualified from joining.
Participants are required to register with a fee of ₱200 and pay an entry fee of ₱100. Registration closes on May 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
All entries must be taken during the official festival period and must adhere to the theme. Ground photos are limited to basic editing such as cropping and color correction, while heavy manipulation is prohibited.
Drone entries must comply with aviation safety regulations, including a strict limit of 2.5 kilograms for drone weight and restrictions on flying over crowds without proper clearance.
Entries must be submitted in JPEG format with a file size between 5MB and 8MB and a minimum resolution of 3000 pixels on the longest side. Files must follow a standardized naming format and be sent via email on or before May 16, 2026, along with participant details.
Entries will be judged based on creativity, relevance to the theme, technical quality, and storytelling impact. Drone entries will also be evaluated on composition and perspective.
Winners will receive cash prizes, with the top prize set at ₱30,000 for the main category and ₱10,000 for the Best Drone Shot award, along with certificates. Eight consolation prize winners will each receive ₱1,500.
Photographers will retain ownership of their images, but organizers and the San Pablo City government may use selected entries for promotional and documentation purposes with proper credit.
Winners will be announced on a date to be determined. The judges’ decision will be final and non-contestable. Organizers also reserve the right to modify rules if necessary, and RAW files may be requested for verification.
By participating, photographers agree to all contest rules and conditions.
Following the announcement of the contest and its mechanics, Val Porras was identified as a key figure behind the initiative. A San Pablo-based photographer and visual storyteller, Porras is widely recognized in the wedding and portrait photography industry.
He is the founder of Exposure Photo and Video, a San Pablo City-based studio engaged in professional event coverage, including weddings and aerial photography services.
Porras also serves as External Vice President of the Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines and is the President of Club WPPP (Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines), where he contributes to industry mentorship and professional development.
He has earned multiple national recognitions in photography competitions organized by professional groups, with awards spanning wedding photography, creative lighting, and photojournalism categories.
In a statement, Porras emphasized the contest’s role in strengthening both artistry and local identity. “Photography is more than capturing images. It is about preserving stories, emotions, and the identity of a place, especially the lakes of San Pablo that define its landscape and heritage. Through this contest, we hope to inspire photographers to see San Pablo not just as a subject, but as a living narrative worth telling.”
Editor’s note This article was edited by Tutubi News Magazine at 8:00 AM PHT, May 5, 2026, to update and clarify details regarding Val Porras’ roles and affiliations for accuracy and completeness.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
