Filipino Photography Talents Garner Top Honors at HUAWEI XMAGE Awards 2024

HUAWEI has recognized the boundless possibilities of mobile photography at the “A Heartwarming World — HUAWEI XMAGE Awards 2024 Ceremony & Annual Exhibition”. Held last November 27, the  grand affair gathered many photography enthusiasts, media representatives, winners, creators and fans to witness the announcement of the competition’s winning works.

Filipino photography professionals and hobbyists bagged awards at the event, including Justin Mendoza who was crowned one of the Grand Winners.

CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group Kevin Ho was present at the event. He said in his speech, "I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the winners tonight and pay tribute to creators of the mobile imaging era. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to HUAWEI XMAGE users– each of you has made HUAWEI XMAGE go beyond being a tool for documenting life, evolving it into a bridge for emotional communication between people.”

HUAWEI XMAGE Award 2024 Ceremony: A Tribute to the Era of Mobile Imaging

First held in 2017, the recent XMAGE Awards marked its eighth consecutive year. Since its inception, the competition has accumulated almost 5 million entries from participants in over 170 countries and regions, becoming one of the most influential mobile imaging events in the world. This year’s HUAWEI XMAGE Awards lasted 131 days, with users from 86 countries and regions participating and submitting more than 650,000 entries. Apart from China, the countries with the highest number of overseas submissions include Malaysia, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. The most popular smartphone models among XMAGE Awards photographers are the HUAWEI Pura 70 Series, HUAWEI P60 Series, HUAWEI P40 Series, and the HUAWEI Mate 60 Series.

During the ceremony, a total of 66 winning works were unveiled, including 3 Grand Winners, 18 Best-in-Category Winners, 38 Runner-up Winners, 3 Honourable Mentions, 2 Best of Pura Series, and 2 Best of Mate Series. Through diverse perspectives and expressive techniques, these works showcased warmth, tranquillity and brightness from all over the world and conveyed the raw emotions and strength of ordinary people.

Photographer of the Year: High Praises from International Judges 

Pick a Beak - Justin Mendoza shot using the HUAWEI P30 Pro

Filipino account manager, Justin Mendoza, was among the three Grand Winners announced during the ceremony. His photo submission of a pelican standing behind a fisherman, titled “Pick a Beak,” earned praises from international judges. National Geographic Photographer and Emmy-Nominated Director Keith Ladzinski said, “When a photograph asks questions, it’s an immediate success.”

He commended the photo saying, “This photograph embodies both humor and great sense of scale, allowing us to consider how big the bird is and whether or not it’s been caught by the fisherman’s pole. Its power lies within the serendipity of the moment, a well-considered composition, and unique low perspective.” Also among the list of grand winners were Chinese engineer Chen Yong (for “Catching a Cloud”) and Polish office worker Kinga Choińska (for “Sisters”). Each grand winner received a $10,000 HUAWEI Creation Fund. 

Filipino excellence shone in the XMAGE Awards as other Filipino talents were recognized during the ceremony. Multimedia Coordinator Ferdinand Bendana’s “Eagle’s Eye,” taken on the HUAWEI Mate 50 Pro, won the award of Best of Mate Series. Ladzinski praised the photo’s detail, saying, “This photo allows the viewer to behold nature’s masterful art and design up close, down to the follicle, as we stare into both beak and yellow eye.”

Moments Best in Category - Refresh - Jamir Lyndon Lumbao shot using the HUAWEI P40 Pro

Jamir Lyndon Lumbao’s “Refresh,” shot with the HUAWEI P40 Pro, was the winner for the “Moments” category. The photo was taken during the aftermath of a fire in Cavite. 

Moments - Runner Up - Into the Blue - Christopher G. Andres shot using the HUAWEI P60 Pro

Meanwhile, Christopher G. Andres’ photo of a penguin playing underwater shot on a HUAWEI P60 Pro, called “Into the Blue,” was a runner up in the same category. John Paul C. Garbanzo also earned a spot as a runner up for the “Moments” category with his photo, shot on a HUAWEI nova 8, of a cheerleader tossed in the air during rehearsals.

Faces – Runner Up - Contemporary Elegance - Mary Grace Montives shot using the HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro

Multimedia Specialist earned runner up victory for the “Faces” category with her submission called “Contemporary Elegance.” The photo depicted a woman in a tailored garb, with intricate patterns and designs, fusing modern sophistication and artistic flair. The photo was shot on a HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro. 

Over 300 wonderful works, including the winning Filipino masterpieces, will be displayed from November 27 to November 30. The exhibit is divided into seven sections including "Moments," "Faces," "So Far So Close,” "Hello Life", and more. This division aims to lead the audience to explore the infinite charm of photography. The visual feast serves as an opportunity for art lovers to appreciate the works from the competition up close, immersing themselves in the emotions and stories captured in each frame. 

The 9th Vice President of China Photographers Association Chen Xiaobo said, "Mobile Imaging is not just about documenting daily life but should be integrated with deeper observations and more personal philosophical thoughts. Each photograph becomes a part of your own intimate dialogue with the world."

HUAWEI XMAGE: A Brand about Human Connection, A Brand that Supports the Cultivation of Mobile Photography Culture

Over the years, HUAWEI has continuously organized global photography tours, regularly released mobile photography trend reports, organized community-based activities, and held educational classes for photographers. The leading global tech brand has always been committed to in-depth interactions with photographers, continuously promoting the cultivation of mobile photography culture. HUAWEI continues to make its brand a close-knit and welcoming space for all. 

Through the HUAWEI XMAGE Awards’ global platform, HUAWEI has built a space for in-depth communication among consumers, bridging the boundaries of region, culture, and language. At the same time, the platform encourages the exchange of human connections and the resonance of heartwarming emotions across the world through photography.

To learn more about the 2024 HUAWEI XMAGE Awards, visit HUAWEI’s official website or social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram).