Underwater photo tilt kicks off today in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Diving enthusiasts are once again given the chance to bring their skills to the next level by exploring the world of underwater photography.

This as the 4th Annual Splush-nud Underwater Photo Shootout (SNUPS) competition kicks off today until May 5, 2014 in Cebu.

Registration started yesterday and participants who have already registered must submit their photos before 5 p.m. on May 5.

Early registrants pay a P1,500 fee while the late ones would pay P2,000.

Applicants can either register online or go to the registration center along Don Mertos Restaurant, 94 Juana Osmeña Street, Cebu City.

Winners will take home over $15,000 including a camera housing set, price of which range from $3,000 to $5,000.

Jose Victor Santos, president of Splash Underwater Imaging, Inc., a distributor and service center for underwater imaging products for Philippines, said the competition aims to promote tourism industry, to raise environmental awareness, and to expose photography skills.

“It’s an amateur competition. We want to uplift the capability of photographers, especially Filipino. Hopefully they can use the skill to promote,” said Santos.

The organizers expect at least 100 participants to join the competition, 30 percent of whom are foreigners.

The youngest winner of the competition was an 11- year-old boy from Cebu, who competed for the beginner’s class.

The boy’s father, who is a diver, assisted him throughout the competition to ensure his safety,

Aside from the beginner’s class, the competition is categorized into compact and open.

“For these three classes, if you win any of the class, you have to upgrade to another class the next time you join,” Santos said.

SNUPS is a yearly underwater photo and video competition, which will be held in Anilao in Batangas and in Malapascua, Moalboal and Tingo in Cebu.

For registration guidelines and contest rules, interested applicants may visit www.snups.ph or contact +63 2 7249803.  (FREEMAN)