Michael Aw
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Digidiver chronicler Cris deLeon-Hinlo attended the 'Celebrate the Sea' Festival held at the Manila's Ocean Park on June 12-14, 2009, The event brought together some of the world’s best known underwater image makers and scientists for lectures, forums and social events to raise the 'public’s interest' , to promote the beauty of the sea and to highlight the preservation of remaining resources through the art of underwater imagery.
Forums this year focused on a wide range of topics such as marine conservation, animals in captivity, global ocean changes, impact of tourism on the marine environment, and ways to save sharks from their present plight.
David Doubilet, the celebrated National Geographic photographer and the Honorary President of the Festival, shared his knowledge regarding the evolution of underwater photography from film to the digital age. Dr. Phil Nyutten, this year’s Hero of the Sea, and Rolex Ambassador, enlightened the audience regarding an undersea habitat complex constructed around a heat vent at the bottom of the ocean.
Peter Scoones, the esteemed cinematographer for BBC (Blue Planet, Ocean World, Amazing Earth, etc), and the founder of BSOUP, inspired us about underwater wildlife filming. Authors and photographers Mathieu Meur and Michael Aw shared their knowledge on various aspects of lighting and photography.
Also panelists in the various forums were: Leandro Blanco, the multi-awarded videographer best known for short documentaries; Jennifer Hayes, an aquatic ecologist and journalist; Howard Shaw, the executive director of Singapore Environment Council; Dr. Greg Hodgson, a marine biologist; Lynn Funkhouser, an environmentalist and photographer, Filemon Romero and Lorenzo Tan of the WWF; Dr. Perry Alino, a marine ecologist; and Jaki Teo, wildlife lover, diver and blogger (lovesharks.sg).
This year also saw a lot more children, from different Asian countries, submitting entries for the art competition, and more amateur and professional photographers competing for prizes. A lot of interesting short films and documentaries were also shown highlighting the beauty of our oceans and sea creatures, and the destructive methods humanity imposes on other inhabitants of our planet.
Awardees
- Dr. Phil Nytten is this year’s Hero of the Sea.
- Cynthia Carrion (Undersecretary of Tourism for the Philippines and Executive Director of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving) was presented the title “Ambassador of the Sea” for her tireless efforts to promote the wonders of our seas.
- Leandro Blanco (Voices We Will Never Hear) garnered three prestigious prizes starting with the President Gloria Arroyo Award for Highest Achievement of the Festival, Outstanding Achievement in the Short Video Documentary, and the Rolex Award for Excellence in Underwater Films.
- The top winners for the children’s art competition, and thus the Ambassadors for the Sharks for 2009, were Hong Kong nationals Adrian Lau Tsun Yin (9 y/o) and Coco Tin Chi Ting (14 y/o).
- John Scarlett (Loving Sharks) is the Ocean Geographic’s Underwater Photography Journalist for 2009.
- Alexy Stoyda – Honor of Distinction: WOW BEST PICTURE AWARD
- Mikael Jigmo- Outstanding Achievement: WOW BEST PICTURE AWARD
- Amanda Cotton – Merit of Excellence: WOW HI FI PORTFOLIO AWARD
- Ross Gudgeon - Merit of Excellence: Print Category
- James Wong – Outstanding Achievement: WOW HI FI PORTFOLIO AWARD
- John Scarlett – Rolex Honorable Mention: Portfolio of Festival
- Jorgen Rassmunsen – Rolex Honor of Distinction: Portfolio of Festival
- Marina Kotchetova – Rolex Merit of Excellence: Portfolio of Festival
- Anika Kim – Rolex Award of Excellence: Portfolio of Festival
Congratulations to All the Winners!
Celebrate the Sea, already in its 8th year, is organized by OceanEnvironment, in coordination with the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Commission of Sports Scuba Diving. This is the 3rd consecutive year it has been held in the Philippines. Next year’s CTS festivities will be in a location still to be determined.
Lets not forget the guy himself responsible for bringing all of this together, from conception to the present - Michael Aw His great efforts are at the forefront of awareness and education of the next generations. Helping to ensure our survival through the protection of our oceans environments.
More images from the show...
