TESDA CASIFMAS holds digital drone photo contest

PASACAO, Camarines Sur --- The Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS), a Technical Education Services Development Authoriy (TESDA) - supervised institution in Pasacao, Camarines Sur, launched the first digital drone photography competition on Nov, 1-5, 2020 to promote and instill awareness of agriculture and appreciation of food sustainability and sufficiency program among Filipinos.

The contest aimed at encouraging the youth to have agriculture as a career choice by infusing drone technology towards precision agriculture or precision farming.

There were 42 digital drone photography enthusiasts coming from as far as General Santos City who joined the contest.

The winners of the contest were: 1st prize, Auremel M. Cruz of Poblacion, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan; 2nd prize, Phillip Mari P. Figura of Modern Village, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur; and 3rd prize,Lance Xavier A. Alegre of Sta. Cruz, Naga City.

During the awarding ceremony, Dr. Elmer K. Talavera, TESDA Bicol regional director said: “The pandemic underscored the importance of agriculture and food security. However, we need to make agriculture appealing to the youth to ensure that we develop new generation of agriculturists and farmers.”

The board of judges was composed of: Yvez Ron R. Beriso, an affiliate of Archdiocese of Caceres and professional drone operator from 2016 to present; Giovanni J. Froyalde, 11 years as graphic and lay-out artist and professional events photographer; and the chairman of the board of judges was Jun Carmen, a graduate of Fine Arts major in Painting and the official photographer of Modelo Bikolano.

The winners received cash prizes, certificates and plaque of commendations.

The awarding ceremony was held on Nov. 5 and was graced by TESDA V regional director Elmer K. Talavera, Pasacao Mayor Niño A. Tayco and CASIFMAS acting administrator Floramel Joy C. Songsong.