Photo essay contest in honor of overseas Filipinos

A PROJECT of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in cooperation with the Inter-Agency Committee for the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos (IAC-MOF)

1. Background

Based on the 2010 Stock Estimate of Filipinos Overseas, there are about 9.45 million Filipinos overseas; 4.42 million of them are permanent migrants, 4.32 million temporary migrants, and more than 0.74 million irregular migrants. This part of our population significantly contributes to our nation building.

As part of this year’s celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day, the Inter-Agency Committee proposes to hold a photo competition in search of compelling photographs featuring the lives of overseas Filipinos. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts is designated the lead implementing agency for the said project.

The photo competition shall also be complemented by an exhibition showcasing the entries received and the winning photographs. The project gives a venue for overseas Filipinos to share their artistic perspective on their daily struggles and triumphs through Photography.

The competition is divided in two categories: Category A for ages 13-17 and Category B for 18 years old and above. Each category will have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners who will receive local travel opportunities to culturally rich tourist sites in the country. The exhibit will be held for the whole month of December 2012 as one of the activities in celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos. 2. Objective

The project is aimed at raising the awareness of overseas Filipinos and the general Philippine publics on Philippine Diaspora through Photography. 3. Theme

“A day in the life of an overseas Filipino: Stories of excellence, ingenuity, patience, hard work and success” 4. Term

The Photo Essay Contest on the theme: “A day in the life of an overseas Filipino: Stories of excellence, ingenuity, patience, hard work and success” begins on August 15, 2012, and ends October 15, 2012. By submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to the rules of the contest. 5. Who may enter:

The contest is open to all Filipinos based overseas, including migrant workers, immigrants, second and third generation Filipinos overseas, and former Filipino citizens. It is divided into 2 categories: Category A: Aged 13-17 years and Category B: Aged 18 years and above. The entries must be from the migrants themselves and must present proof of being an overseas Filipinos, such as passport, Overseas Employment Certificate, seaman’s book, stamp, alien registration certificate, naturalization papers, etc. 6. What to enter

a. Each photograph must be original and taken at their workplace or place of residence which may be correlated to the theme. Entrants must provide for every entry, the following information on their entry forms: a keyword/entry name of the photograph: place and date where the photo was taken; and a short caption in English language not to exceed four (4) sentences written by the photographer on his insights of the subject and its significance. The entry / entries must capture stories of overseas Filipinos that would raise awareness of how life as a migrant is all about, or must advocate for the protection of rights and promotion of welfare and interests of overseas Filipinos.

b. Photographs must have been shot by the entrant within the past three (3) years (since June 2009). Cropped photos are eligible. The judging panel will not accept slides, or computer-manipulated photos. Minor enhancements, including spotting, dodging, and burning, contrast and slight color adjustment or the digital equivalents, are acceptable. If the judges determine that a photographer has obviously altered his or her photo beyond what is allowed, they reserve the right to disqualify it.

c. High-quality scans (300 dpi at 8 x 10 inches) of non-digital photographs (original photo negative, print, or slide) are acceptable. Email submissions must not be larger than 6MB. It is advised that images are taken at the highest resolution possible (TIFF or JPEG), to ensure maximum optimization for print output.

d. For a photo in which a person is recognizable, entrants must secure a model release from the subject or, in the case of a minor, the subject’s parent or guardian and provide it to the judging panel upon request.

e. Photographs that have been part or won any other competition, or offered elsewhere for publication or have been published in magazines and newspapers or have been produced as an advertisement shall automatically be disqualified. Photos that violate or infringe upon another person’s copyright are not eligible.

f. Employees and officials of the NCCA and member agencies of the IAC-MOF and their immediate relatives are not eligible to join the competition. 7. How to enter

a. Submit photographs via email at: intl_affairs@ncca.gov.ph.

b. Photographs submitted personally or through postal mail will not be accepted.

c. Each entry can only have a maximum of four (4) photos. Each entry must be in a folder and sent compressed via email to intl_affairs@ncca.gov.ph.

d. Only one (1) Entry Form is required from each Entrant/Participant regardless of the number of entries. Attach also to the email the accomplished Entry Form, which should contain the INTRODUCTORY TEXT for each entry. The Introductory text must not exceed four (4) sentences.

e. Multiple entries are allowed but Entrants can only submit a maximum of four (4) entries, and Entrants can only WIN ONCE. In case the entries of the same photographer all qualify for the top prizes, the entry with the highest total score and rank will be the one awarded.

f. By entering the contest, entrants grant NCCA and IAC-MOF a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to display, distribute, reproduce, and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or subsequently developed, for any purpose, including, but not limited to advertising and promotion of the IAC-MOF and its website/webpage, including but not limited to IAC-MOF publications. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit. The IAC-MOF will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses. 8. Criteria for Judging

The entries will be reviewed and decided upon by a committee organized by the NCCA and IAC-MOF. The decision of the judges will be final. Following are the criteria for judging for the two categories: a. Relevance to the selected theme b. Aesthetic appeal of the photograph c. Composition, balance, color and organization d. Photographer’s insight as reflected in his short commentary or explanatory note will be given weight in the selection of winners

The finalists will be notified via email of their status by the second week of November 2012 and will be posted in the NCCA website at www.ncca.gov.ph. The NCCA and IAC-MOF reserves the right to modify these rules at its discretion. 9. Deadline

All entries must be received via email by 5:00 pm Manila Time, 15 October 2012 by the NCCA Secretariat. Late entries will automatically be disqualified. For more details, please contact the NCCA Secretariat at 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila, with telephone numbers (632) 527-2175, 527-2192 local 605; fax number (632) 5258656, and email address at intl_affairs@ncca.gov.ph. 10. Prizes

Winning photographs, selected finalists and other entries will be put to exhibit for the whole month of December at a venue to be announced later. Winning entries will receive the following prizes: a. Adult

1st Prize - travel opportunity for 2 pax approximately worth Php25,000

2nd Prize – travel opportunity for 2 pax approximately worth Php15,000

3rd Prize - travel opportunity for 2 pax approximately worth Php 7,500 b. Junior

1st Prize - travel opportunity for 2 pax approximately worth Php25,000

2nd Prize – travel opportunity for 2 pax approximately worth Php15,000

3rd Prize - travel opportunity for 2 pax approximately worth Php 7,500