In a recent photography contest conducted by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Mr. Oliver M. Atienza, a resident of Malaybalay City, has been recognized as one of the top 12 grand winners from among the 5,400 entries nationwide.

The award under the conventional photography category was given to him during the awarding ceremony held at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila on September 13, 2023.

According to PAGCOR, the contest had the biggest prizes so far, with grand winners in the conventional photography category receiving Php 80,000.00 each, while the 12 winners in the mobile category got Php 35,000.00 each.

Atienza, a government employee and photographer, has a strong passion, particularly in landscape photography showcasing the beauty of nature. His winning entry, dubbed “Kalinaw sa Malinao” (Tranquility of Malinao), captured the approval of the prominent photographers who served as judges in the contest. It features a captivating shot of Malinao Park in Kalasungay, Malaybalay City.

“I strive to capture the true beauty of the Philippines, and I hope that my contributions can help boost our country’s tourism industry and attract more visitors and tourists to our beloved city,” he said.

The contest, anchored on the theme “San Tayo Next,” encourages participants from all over the country to seek and discover underrated but beautiful places with tourism potential. It is also in line with the Department of Tourism’s mandate of promoting lesser-known destinations.