DAVAO CITY – From the glint of sunlit shores to the rhythm of coastal festivities, the Filipino story continues to unfold- this time, through the lens of “Isa Sa Isla,” the evocative theme of the 2025 Sinaglarawan Photo Contest.

During the recently held Davao leg of the Sineglarawan Roadshow, organizers officially launched this year’s competition with a powerful message: that in a nation of over 7,000 islands, water is more than geography- it is lifeblood, memory, and shared spirit. This third edition of the nationwide photography contest challenges Filipino photographers to document how water shapes connection, community, and culture across our archipelago.

Presented by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Philippines, the Sineglarawan Photo Contest celebrates Filipino values and identity through visual storytelling. The 2024 edition drew over 300 entries and culminated in an exhibition and awarding ceremony at Shangri-La Plaza, featuring the top 24 images that best captured last year’s theme “Salin Likhá, Salin Diwá.”

This year, the stakes are even higher. The 2025 edition promises over ₱2 million in prizes with 100 winning photographs:

• Grand Winner (Sineglarawan of the Year): ₱150,000 + trophy
  
• 1st Runner-Up: ₱120,000 + trophy
  
• 2nd Runner-Up: ₱100,000 + trophy
  
• 8 Circle of Excellence winners: ₱80,000 each
  
• 12 Special awardees (Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao): ₱50,000 each
  
• 1 JTI Employee Choice: ₱50,000
  
• 76 Finalists: ₱10,000 each
  

What sets Sinaglarawan apart is its commitment to authenticity. Judges emphasized that successful entries must blend technical skill and compelling narrative while strictly avoiding AI-generated or heavily manipulated images.

In the words of Veejay Villafranca, head judge and photography educator,

“It’s not just about taking pictures- it’s about telling stories that live.”

In a time where digital manipulation and AI challenge the boundaries of truth in photography, Sineglarawan stands firm in its pursuit of sincerity. Public spaces are fair game, but identifiable subjects in private settings must have informed consent. Minors are strictly prohibited in entries, and brands or commercial elements should not overpower the image’s story.

Photographers from Davao and Mindanao are once again encouraged to participate and continue the region’s strong representation from last year’s winners. Entries are open until September 25, 2025, exclusively through jtisineglarawan.com.

So whether it is a photo of a fishing community at dawn, a town reveling in a water ritual, or a quiet moment along a riverbank- if it echoes the spirit of our lives as islanders, it deserves to be seen.