VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has named the 24 grand winners in its 2026 Photography Contest on Tuesday, September 15, at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City.
The contest drew nearly 3,500 entries from across the country and were submitted under three categories based on the cameras used: Conventional, Mobile and Drone.
With the theme “Kids@Play”, this year’s competition celebrated the spirit of childhood through images that captured fun, creativity and the lessons children learn through play.
In the Conventional Category, the eight grand winners were Jessie Eno Jr. (Playground of the Sea); Reu Dawner Flores (Racing the Shifting Sands); Joshua Escalona (Circles of Life); Lee Harvey Gumban (Gravity Can Wait); John Nepomuceno Togonon (Ulan); Marvin Maning (Unbothered); Rogelio Junior Santos (The Days We Never Knew We’d Miss); and Klienne Eco (Grit in the Golden Dust).
The winners each received a cash prize of Php100,000, a trophy, and a certificate of merit.
The eight Mobile Category grand winners were Robert Alvarez (Dreams Take Flight); Stevie Manugas (Kami at ang Dagat); Ethel Padecio (Where Paper Boats Carry Childhood Dreams); John Nepomuceno Togonon (Saranggola sa Baybayin); Pinky Manzano (Leap of Friendship); Porfirio Medina Jr. (Caution: Wet Floor); Jobert Espino (Splashing in the Greens); and Charlie Villagracia (Playground of Joy).
The eight Drone Category grand winners were Joel Forte (Fun Fun Fun Here We Come); Emman Foronda (Matayog na Pangarap); Ed Kirby Bunan (United in Play); Franz William Felicio (Lipad); Roderick Tan (Playground); Christopher Andres (Where Creativity Begins); Rayzamae Vasques (Nag-iisang Alon); and Mary Joy Christie Sasan (Sa Gitna ng Lakbay).
All the winners in the Mobile and Drone categories each received Php50,000 in cash prize, a trophy and a certificate of merit.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the finalists’ entries this year went beyond capturing childhood fun by highlighting the values that play helps develop in young people.
“The photographs captured by our 48 finalists not only depicted the joy and innocence of childhood but, more importantly, the lessons that children learn through play,” Mr. Tengco said.
The PAGCOR chief also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to support Filipino photographers and other creative talents.
“Makakaasa kayo na patuloy naming susuportahan ang mga programang nagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa ating mga kababayan na mapaunlad ang kanilang talento at maibahagi ito sa mas malawak na publiko,” he said.
This year’s biggest winner was John Nepomuceno Togonon who was also named a finalist in the 2024 PAGCOR Photography Contest.
He returned this year to win grand prizes in both the Conventional and Mobile categories.
“Gusto ko lang maipaalala sa mga tao ang kanilang kabataan,” Togonon said, expressing hope that his winning entries would bring back memories of childhood and the simple joys that come with it.
PAGCOR also unveiled the theme for its 2027 Photography Contest which is, “Philippine Festivals: A Homage to Filipino Culture and Tradition”, for which Mr. Tengco
Invited local photographers to capture the country’s colorful festivals and rich cultural heritage through their lenses.
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