By Julmunir I. Jannaral

COTABATO CITY — To showcase the pristine gems and tourist spots of the Bangsamoro homeland through the “art of photography”, the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) kicked off Tuesday, Aug. 10, its region-wide photo contest dubbed “Bangsamoro: Revealing its Hidden Treasure”.

The photo competition, which is spearheaded by the Ministry’s Bureau of Tourism, will run from Aug. 10 until around 5PM on Sept. 20, 2021, and it is open for all interested participants across the Bangsamoro region.

The priority areas of the theme of the photo contest are as follows: community-based economic sites and activities, social enterprise, gastronomies, eco-tourism and adventure tourism, sun, beach, diving and marine sports tourism, cultural, religious, historical parks and landmarks, meeting, incentive, conference, and events.

MTIT Minister Abuamri Taddik encouraged everyone, especially the youth, to be part of the contest and feature the culture and historical events of the Moros, and highlight the tourist attractions in the region through photography.

“Let us support this endeavor para maipakita natin [ang BARMM] hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong Mundo dahil ang mahaga dito ang promotion [sa ating turismo],” Taddik said.

In his video message, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim hopes that the rest of the country [and the world] would get to see the region’s rich tourism, trade, and industry assets.

“It’s also prim and proper that this initiative comes from us, the locals, of this beautiful region as well. Because at the end of the day, there can be no better ambassadors of this region than those who live in it as well,” Ebrahim said.

According to John Lomboy, Bureau of Tourism OIC Director, all entries of the participants must be strictly “geotagged photographs” (to indicate their location) and with at least 300 PPI (pixels per inch) resolution.

Further, the photos must be taken within the BARMM area only, and are original, personally taken, or legally owned by the participants.

Participants can submit no more than five (5) entries, provided, however, that the photographs to be submitted shall be in one (1) registration form per entry.

The submission shall be on the MTIT’s official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/barmmmtit). Participants can also seek assistance from the provincial offices of MTIT internet connection is not available in the area.

Three judging criteria include relevance to the theme (40%), composition and creativity (30%), and the overall impact on the viewers (30%).

Each province of BARMM (Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi) including Cotabato City and Special Geographic Area (SGA) will have its own winners, respectively.

The winners will receive Php15,000.00 for the 1st prize, Php10,000.00 for the 2nd prize, Php5,000.00 for the 3rd prize, and an additional Php3,000.00 for the consolation prize allotted for five (5) participants from each province. (JIJ)