‘Smiles’ photo tilt: New winners feted

MANILA, Philippines - The embassy of Chile yesterday awarded the prizes to the new winners of the Calidad Humana “Smiles for the World” photography/essay contest.

In simple ceremonies at the residence of Chilean Ambassador Roberto Mayorga, the first prize was awarded to Medardo Marquez, second prize to Hannah Maria Reyes, and third prize to Arnold Jumpay.

Marquez was awarded a roundtrip ticket to Chile and Brazil from Coca-Cola Philippines, $1,000 cash and a high-end cell phone from Smart Communications.

An industrial engineering graduate of UP-Diliman, Marquez, 55, who owns of a hauling business in Bacolod, said he was shocked when he was called by the Chilean embassy to receive the first prize award.

The Calidad Humana photo/essay contest was hounded by controversy when the initial winner, Mark Joseph Solis submitted an entry lifted from the Internet.

Marquez’s photo titled, “We Are Blessed: Our Spirits Undaunted and Laughter Pure,” shows three smiling children from Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, taken more than 10 years ago.

“Before taking this photo, I jokingly told the kids that I would give Tootsie Roll (candies) to the one who would be able to give me the biggest smile and lots of teeth. I was trying to loosen them up,” said Marquez, who used a Nikkormat camera to capture the winning photo.

Marquez said he was among the last to submit an entry after reading about the photo contest in STARweek magazine.

“When I read the article about Ambassador Mayorga’s message, I was touched and I thought I could contribute something to this Calidad Humana so I joined and wrote that essay,” he said.

In his photo essay, Marquez said, “We are reminded of man’s innate goodness each time we see these little ones smile, because they brim over the qualities that best define our humanity: gentleness, warmth, sincerity and exuberance. Yet their power to inspire and touch lies largely on our readiness to open our hearts to rediscover the child within us all; and to view the world, perhaps for the first time, with new eyes.”

Reyes, 22, a batch mate of Solis from UP, won $600 and a cellular phone. She submitted a photo taken in 2012 of an old Cordillera woman with tattoos all over her body with titled: “The Most Important Language: Smiles, Even through Our Skin.”

Reyes, a freelance photographer from Makati City, said she learned a lot from Calidad Humana and would try to help spread Filipino smiles.

“It’s a really great opportunity and a way for me to learn a lot of things. It’s been an amazing (experience) and I really enjoyed learning from the other photographers, from their works, and I really enjoyed having these discussions about their skills,” she said.

Jumpay, 46, a freelance photojournalist and painter from Capiz, won $400 and a cellular phone. Jumpay’s photo shows four women in Banaue, Ifugao titled “Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Of Lines and Smiles.”

“I was happy and at the same time sad for what had happened to Mr. Solis. I remember I was about his age when I started taking pictures. But I think everything happens for a reason, so change will have to take place. I hope by next year, we can see a big change in him,” he said.

All the winning photos will be showcased in tourism campaigns to be conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Tourism around the world.

Mayorga said the Calidad Humana project is showing big success despite the controversy.

“As you know, the photo contest was affected by serious plagiarism. But this very negative incident has provoked a good number of positive reactions,” the Chilean official said.

“Thousands of people became aware of this Calidad Humana Project. It seemed like it was God sent. In Spanish, we talk about the different mysterious ways of the Lord when we refer to how we can convert negative things to positive,” he added.

Noting that the essence of the Calidad Humana is human compassion, the Chilean ambassador said they will do their part “to redeem him (Solis) in a long process” instead of punishing him.

Coinciding with the awarding ceremony was the launch of Calidad Humana Guilds.

Mayorga said CH Guild, in collaboration with all interested parties, would gather families, friends and universities to help channel and build greater awareness for the Calidad Humana project.