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3rd NorthMin dive fest photo contest spotlights MisOr's marine life

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Department of Tourism (DOT)-10 launched the 3rd NorthMin Dive Festival on Wednesday, September 6, to showcase the aquatic treasures and underwater sites of Northern Mindanao.

The highlight of the dive fest is an underwater photo contest spotlighting the rich and stunning marine life of Misamis Oriental province.

DOT-10 Regional Director Marie Elaine Salvana-Unchuan said around 40 underwater photo enthusiasts from across the country including their international buddies are participating in the dive fest.

According to her, the underwater photo contest features four categories, namely, wide angle, macro/super macro, nudibranch, and marine life behavior. 

She said the participants are divided into two classes--the open class and the compact class.

Unchuan elaborated that the open class consists of those utilizing mirrorless, DSLR, and similar interchangeable lens cameras, while the compact class consists of participants using cameras without interchangeable lenses. 

Department of Tourism (DOT)-10 launches the 3rd NorthMin Dive Festival on Wednesday, September 6, in a bid to further position Northern Mindanao as top dive destination in the country. (DCC/PIA-10)

Meanwhile, all the contest judges are experts in diving and underwater photography such as award-winning marine cinematographer Bo Mancao, award-winning underwater photographer and Director for Marketing and Media Affairs of the Discovery Fleet Yvette Lee, and multi-published underwater photographer Ram Yoro.

They are joined by Magnus Nielsen of Bongo Bongo Divers, a PADI 5 star IDC center in Negros Oriental, and marine biologist and PADI dive instructor Fra-and Timothy Quimpo. 

Prizes for the winning entries are P15,000 for first place, P10,000 for second place, and P5,000 for third place. Winners will also receive in-kind prizes. A special award of P5,000 for the best photo in Gingoog will also be given to the Gingoog City Government. 

Aside from the photo contest, coastal clean-up and underwater clean-up activities called “scubasurero” will also be conducted to promote sustainable tourism as well as taking care of and preserving marine resources.

“This is to show you that we do not only take beautiful photographs but we are also concerned about the environment,” said Unchuan. (APB/PIA-10)

Mallgoers visit the 3rd NorthMin Dive Festival Photo Exhibit at SM Downtown Premier, Cagayan de Oro. (DCC/PIA-10

About the Author

Apipa Bagumbaran

Assistant Regional Head

Region 10

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