Photographer wins RM500,000, retiree wins six times more.

SIBU: Sibu-born photographer Edwin Ong Kee Wee won the grand prize in the prestigious 8th Hamdan International Photography Award 2019 (HIPA).

His photo documented an intense humanitarian moment personifying the feelings a Vietnamese mother whose speech disorder did not prevent her from feeling hopeful and evoking a sense of strength for her children.

Ong’s entry won him US$120,000 (RM504,000).

Launched in 2011, the award honours the arts, and promotes social awareness and its fundamental role in shaping the future of civilizations. HIPA is under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

“Hope” was the theme for this year’s contest, which was participated by photographers all over the world.

The award presentation took place in Dubai on March 13.

First place went to Fanny Octavianus from Indonesia, followed by his compatriot Muhammad Fahrur Rasyid in second place.

In the third place was Wissam Nassar from Palestine, while Vito Finocchiaro from Italy took fourth place, leaving the fifth place to fellow Italian Sandro Maddalena.

A MPSA (Master of Photographic Society of America) since 2018, Ong, 45, said he was only expecting to win the fifth placing.

“When my name was announced as the grand prize winner, I was so shocked,” he said.

He took up photography only in 2010 and started joining photography contests in 2013.