Filipino talent gets recognized at HUAWEI XMAGE Awards 2024

Over 600,00 entries were submitted for this year's event.

Awarding ceremony

Filipino photography shines bright

HUAWEI last month held its HUAWEI XMAGE Awards 2024 Ceremony & Annual Exhibition. First held in 2017, the recent XMAGE Awards marked its eighth consecutive year. Since its inception, the competition has accumulated almost 5 million entries from participants in over 170 countries and regions.

Users from 86 countries and regions participated and submitted more than 650,000 entries in this year's awards. Apart from China, the countries with the highest number of overseas submissions include Malaysia, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. The most popular smartphone models among XMAGE Awards photographers are the HUAWEI Pura 70 Series, HUAWEI P60 Series, HUAWEI P40 Series, and the HUAWEI Mate 60 Series.

A total of 66 winning works were unveiled, including 3 Grand Winners, 18 Best-in-Category Winners, 38 Runner-up Winners, 3 Honourable Mentions, 2 Best of Pura Series, and 2 Best of Mate Series.

Pick a Beak by Justin Mendoza using HUAWEI P30 Pro

Among the grand winners was Filipino account manager Justin Mendoza. His photo submission of a pelican standing behind a fisherman, titled "Pick a Beak," earned praises from international judges. National Geographic Photographer and Emmy-Nominated Director Keith Ladzinski said, "When a photograph asks questions, it’s an immediate success."

Also among the list of grand winners were Chinese engineer Chen Yong (for "Catching a Cloud") and Polish office worker Kinga Choińska (for "Sisters"). Each grand winner received a USD 10,000 HUAWEI Creation Fund, or around PHP 580,000.

Shot by Jamir Lyndon using HUAWEI P40 Pro titled "Refresh"

Filipino Multimedia Coordinator Ferdinand Bendana’s "Eagle's Eye," taken on the HUAWEI Mate 50 Pro, also won the award of Best of Mate Series. Meanwhile, Jamir Lyndon Lumbao's "Refresh," shot with the HUAWEI P40 Pro, was the winner for the "Moments" category.

Into the Blue shot by Christoper Andres w/ HUAWEI P60 Pro

Meanwhile, Christopher G. Andres' photo of a penguin playing underwater shot on a HUAWEI P60 Pro, called "Into the Blue," was a runner-up in the same category. John Paul C. Garbanzo also earned a spot as a runner-up for the 'Moments" category with his photo, shot on a HUAWEI nova 8, of a cheerleader tossed in the air during rehearsals.

"Face" shot using Pura 70 Pro by Mary Grace Montives

Multimedia Specialist earned runner-up victory for the "Faces" category with her submission called "Contemporary Elegance." The photo depicted a woman in a tailored garb, with intricate patterns and designs, fusing modern sophistication and artistic flair. The photo was shot on a HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro.

Mobile Imaging is not just about documenting daily life but should be integrated with deeper observations and more personal philosophical thoughts. Each photograph becomes a part of your own intimate dialogue with the world, said The 9th Vice President of the China Photographers Association Chen Xiaobo.

What do you think guys?