The City Information Office (CIO) has released the list of winners for the 2025 Hulagway sa Araw ng Dabaw.
The Hulagway sa Araw ng Dabaw photo contest ran from March 1–16 with the theme “88 years strong: One Davao” with four categories— Pag-abli sa Araw, Kalingawan sa Araw, Talento sa Araw, and Kaanyag sa Araw.
Out of the 177 photo entries, Dexter Arcenas’ “Awit sa Kahayag” rose on top followed by Jerome Batain’s “Smiles in Motion,” and Henry Doctolero Jr.’s “Unity in Rhythm.”
Arcenas’ photo featured the City Hall of Davao as background of a chorale group performing during the Kundiman at Harana sa Araw ng Dabaw.
“The grand facade of City Hall glows with vibrant lights, casting a mesmerizing pattern that enhances the magical ambiance of the performance. The banners proudly display 88 Years Strong: One Davao, symbolizing the city’s resilience and unity,” he wrote.
Val Adonis San Diego, one of the judges, described Arsenas’ photo as an image of the City Hall of Davao that people do not usually see, and Arsenas was able to capture it in his photo.
“Ang composition nga na-include sa iyang photo nakahatag gyud og dugang nga kagwapo like kanang mga bilao sa ubos. If gi-crop na niya, dili siya makahatag og impact pero kay gi-apil man niya mas naa na siya’y impact sa photo (The photo’s composition and elements added to the overall impact of the image like how he utilized the bilao),” he said.
Joselaine Dacara-Ledesma, a member of the panel of judges, also praised the cohesiveness in Arsenas’ photo wherein the light used to portray the elements in the picture worked seamlessly.
“Naa’y sense of cohesiveness and the light used to portray the elements kay makita gyud nimo ang ambiance ba (There is a sense of cohesiveness in the photo and the lighting used to portray the elements allows for viewers to really see the ambiance of the event),” she said.
The judges of the contest also praised Batain’s “Smiles in Motion” for capturing a split-second moment that evoked feelings of joy and festivity despite challenges during the Parada.
Excelso Hiponia Jr., Hulagway sa Araw ng Dabaw Hall of Famer and one of the judges, said that Batain was able to capture the moment at the right place and at the right time.
Ledesma described Batain’s photo as an emotion in motion.
“Although there is emotion involved in all three winners, for this photo mas na-highlight to siya kay di man gud siya still image mao nang maghabol gyud ta (Although there is emotion involved in all three winners, this photo is not a still image, the emotions may change in a split second),” she said.
Category winners include Dexter Arcenas’ ‘Uswag Dabaw,” “Sayaw sa Kalipay,” “Most Awaited Moment” and “Stand Tall.”
Henry Doctolero Jr.’s “Lingaw Sayaw,” Shem Longakit’s “Pagsaulog,” Jerome Batain’s “Gandabawenyas,” Dexter Acebuche’s “We Are Watching You,” Mark Orillosa’s “Video Snap” and “Hugyaw Sayaw,” and Rustan Samson’s “Tingkad Ganda” and “Tindig at Tikas” are also among the Category Winners.
Samson’s “Tindig at Tikas” also received the Special Awards.
During the same event, the CIO also announced the Hulagway sa Araw ng Dabaw Hall of Famers, Ian Russel Requiso and Excelso Hiponia Jr., whose photographs captured Davao City in its glory through the years. CIO
