SURIGAO CITY — The City Government of Surigao, through the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, has officially launched the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival 2026 Photo Contest, calling on professional and student photographers to capture the vibrant colors, rich culture, and festive spirit of one of Mindanao's most celebrated festivals. The contest opens for online registration from August 20 to 22, 2026, with limited slots of 50 participants per category. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for photographers to document the festival's street dance, Grand Showdown, and Festival Queen competitions. The festival itself is an award-winning cultural-religious event that honors the city's patron saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino, and celebrates the indigenous heritage of the Mamanwa people .
Contest Categories and Registration Details
The photo contest features two categories: Open Category for professional photographers and Student Category for student photographers, both covering Street Dance and Festival Queen events. Interested participants must register online through the provided Google Forms links to secure one of the limited 50 slots per category. All entries must be captured during the official festival period and should reflect authentic moments of the celebration. Only registered participants will be allowed to join, and the organizers emphasize that all entries must be original, strictly no staged or AI-manipulated shots will be accepted. The top 20 photo finalists per category will be exhibited during the photo exhibit scheduled from September 21 to 25, 2026, at the City Gymnasium.
Exhibition, Judging, and Prizes
Selected finalists will undergo online screening on September 11–12, 2026, followed by hard copy submission on September 17–18, 2026, at the Local Youth Development Office, City Hall Building. The awarding ceremony will be held on September 25, 2026, in the afternoon, where winners will receive cash prizes, up to PHP5,000 for the Open Category and up to PHP4,000 for the Student Category, along with certificates and consolation prizes for finalists. All entries will become part of the official collection of the Surigao City Tourism & Cultural Affairs Office and may be used for promotional purposes with proper credit to the photographer. Photographers are encouraged to bring their cameras and be part of this unforgettable celebration, showcasing the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival spirit through their lenses.
