Multi-awarded photographer Jophel Ybiosa has again brought honor to the Philippines as the first Filipino to win Gold Awards from the 2020 Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA) and the Neutral Density Photography Awards (ND Awards).
Ybiosa was announced by BIFA on December 14, 2020, as the winner of the Gold Award in the Events category for his “The Mud People Festival In Nueva Ecija”, a black and white image of devotees paying homage to Saint John the Baptist that was taken in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija in 2018.
The colored version of Ybiosa’s winning photograph also won 1st Place and a Gold Star Award from the highly acclaimed ND Awards in November.
The Mud People Festival winning photo is captioned:
“The photo depicts the Mud People Festival in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, Philippines on June 24, 2018. Devotees wear dried banana leaves and cover themselves with mud then offer prayer and also pay homage to Saint John the Baptist.
“According to a local legend, the Japanese soldiers were about to execute the villagers of Aliaga during World War II. But in the midst of the downpour, Japanese soldiers suddenly changed their minds. Afterward, the villagers celebrated by rolling around the muddy ground. There´s a belief that being saved from the execution is a miracle of Saint John the Baptist.”
The cruise photographer from Princess Cruise Lines has been representing and winning for the Philippines in various international competitions including the Asian Geographic, the Moscow International Foto Awards, and the International Photography Awards.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to photographer Jophel Ybiosa, the 1st Filipino to win Gold Awards in BIFA and ND Awards!
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