Villasis Takes a SHOT, Again!

    By: Dennis V Raposas, PhD

 Villasis initiated the celebration of the TALONG FESTIVAL 2023 after the strike of the Covid-19 pandemic. Talong Festival is one of the most anticipated events on the calendars of the townspeople of Villasis and visitors from nearby the towns. Villasis Pangasinan celebrates “Talong Festival” in the month of January. It is a week-long celebration featuring various activities related to “talong”. This year, it was scheduled January 16-21, 2023.

Villasis held a photography contest entitled “#TalongFestival2023” as part of the VILLASIS TOWN FIESTA - TALONG FESTIVAL 2023 celebration on January 20, 2023, at Villasis, Pangasinan. The contest was exclusive for the Villasinians since it is the first Photography Contest held by the management. All the entries strictly followed the celebration’s theme: “TALONG FESTIVAL”. The photographs captured the excellent scenario as defined by the management. This includes the beauty of VILLASIS and the TALONG FESTIVAL. The participants used DSLRs, Cellular phones, and drones to capture their subject.

The entries were judged based on the following criteria:

  • Adherence to theme/content – 50%
  • Creativity and Originality – 25%
  • Photographic Quality- 25 %

There were three (3) major prizes, one (1) special award and seven (7) consolation prizes.  The First placer got an amount of Php 10 000 and a certificate, the second placer received an amount of Php 7 000 and a certificate, and the third placer won an amount of Php 5 000 and a certificate. One of the entries received a cash prize of Php 2 000 and a certificate with most “likes or reactions” posted in LGU VILLASIS FB. And there were seven (7) consolation prizes of Php 1 000 each and a certificate.

There were twenty-seven (27) entries and only thirteen (13) made to the final round. Here are the winners and finalists of the recently concluded photography contest 2023.

  First place and winner of People’s Choice award - Entry No. 1, Mr. Russel Aceveda of Brgy. Amamperez garnering the most reaction of 2.8K.

The entry is entitled “PAWI ANG PAGOD SA MASAGANANG ANI” – (Photo description) Lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan ang hirap ng buhay ng isang magsasaka. Maraming hirap, tiyaga, at pagod ang mararanasan bago makamit ang matamis na ngiti sa araw ng anihan. Kaya’t nararapat lang na ating pahalagahan ang bawat sakripisyo ng mga magsasaka sapagkat ang tagumpay nila ay tagumpay din ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino na siyang nakikinabang sa aning pinaghirapan.

Second Place – Entry No. 2, Mr. Jasper F Mabasa of Brgy. Barangobong. The entry is entitled “THE FACE AMIDST PANDEMIC”- The photo depicts a person who shows persistence and hardwork. These are heavenly gifts that have been endowed upon us. The commitment and dedication in his job is priceless. 

Third Place – Entry No. 6, Ms. Lyan Francheska O. Obra of Brgy. Lipay. The title of her entry is “A MAN IN ACTION IN THE HEART OF VILLASIS!”-The photo shows displaying great care and love as we celebrate the fiesta of our dear Yellow Town, Villasis!

 All the entries were posted via VILLASIS, PANGASINAN on FB on January 19, to determine which will garner the most reactions within 24 hours from posting.

On January 20, 2023, after the street dancing competition, the announcement and awarding of trophies to the winners in the photography contest 2023 was made in the open grounds led by Dr. Dennis V Raposas, with prominent personalities led by Villasis Town Fiesta 2023 Honorary Chairman, Honorable Mayor Nonato S. Abrenica, Municipal Mayor, and Dr. Rowena Lea G. Moreno, Executive Chairperson.