2020 Sinulog Photo Contest Committee to Disqualify “Unruly” Registered Photographers

An outright disqualification for unruly registered photographers will be imposed in this year’s Sinulog Photo Contest.

This was disclosed by the newly appointed photo contest cluster heads Icky Salazar and Sidney Dyugani of Cebu City Sinulog Governing Board (SGB) during a press conference about the enhancement in the Sinulog photo contest guidelines.

“The reason why Sidney and I, as well as the rest of the committee, are very adamant in discipline because as photographers, we saw how unruly some of the photographers in the street. We are dead set instilling discipline this year. So, we will outright disqualify unruly registered photographers, after undergoing due process. This is not a statement but a promise, ” said Salazar.

Salazar added that they will be asking the participants to sign a waiver after they attend the briefing about the code of ethics. 

They are also urging the public not to be rowdy during the parade especially in taking photographs. Once they see the photographers taking photos, they should respect and wait for their turn and not swarm around the area and join the registered photographers because the tendency they would block the views and will only lead to a heated argument.

“We are also asking the complete cooperation not only of the photographers but as well as spectators, said Salazar. 

Regarding the usage of the ladder during the Sinulog grand parade, they will only be allowing a two-step ladder.

With the digital age, several enhancements have been made in the photo content guidelines making it easier and simpler for the participants. 

“ Our task was just to make an enhancement, there are no changes. No big changes, only an enhancement of what has been there ever since,” said Salazar.

Salazar added that the only difference is that they have added a special category this year which is the Digital Art Photography and renamed contingent category to Sinulog parade and sidelights to human interest.

“Last year we have five categories and now we have six. The categories will be the Sinulog parade, human interest, Fluvial or Solemn Procession and Religious Activities, Float / Higante and Puppeteers, Festival Queen and the Digital Art Photography,” said Salazar.

Digital art photography allows photographers to use various digital enhancement tools from any photo editing software where one or more photos can be merged into one photo entry. However, this special category will not be included in the selection of the grand prize.

The registration fee this year is lowered from the usual 3,500 to 3,000 and slots are limited to 300 participants. Registration runs from December 9, 2019 to January 4, 2020 while the deadline for submission of entries will be on January 27, 2020.

The 40th Sinulog festival is a month-long celebration and considered as the biggest and grandest festival in the country in honour of the miraculous image of Sto. Nino. It is being celebrated every third Sunday of January. For this year, the grand Sinulog parade will be on January 19, 2020.

To know more about the guidelines, check this out at https://www.sinulog.com.ph/