My husband, Mark Balmores, a veteran photojournalist at Manila Bulletin has once again proven his storytelling prowess, this time through mobile photography.
Mark, who serves as Chief Photojournalist of the Manila Bulletin where he has worked for 18 years, bagged the grand prize in the Mobile Category of the 2025 PAGCOR Photography Contest for his entry “Subway in the Metro.”
Captured inside the Metro Manila Subway’s Camp Aguinaldo Station, the image stood out for its composition and human-centered storytelling, earning him the top prize of ₱50,000 and a trophy during the awarding held today at MetLive.
The annual PAGCOR contest, themed “Infrastructure for Economic Development,” gathered photographers nationwide across Conventional, Mobile, and Drone categories. Mark’s winning entry highlighted not only the scale of the country’s first subway system but also the everyday rhythm of commuters—a reminder that infrastructure is as much about people as it is about progress. Judges praised the photo for reflecting how mobile devices are now capable of producing professional-grade, award-winning images.
For Mark, this victory adds to a long list of milestones in a career that has seen him cover historic events such as the Marawi conflict and international sports in Singapore for ONE Championship. His versatility extends beyond the field, having been invited as a speaker on mobile photography and frequently sharing his knowledge of photojournalism with students and enthusiasts.
Through his TikTok and YouTube channels, he continues to teach aspiring visual storytellers, proving that the craft is constantly evolving but remains grounded in the same principles of truth and narrative.
As mobile photography rises in prominence, this recognition at the PAGCOR contest signals its growing legitimacy in the world of visual journalism. Mark's journey from capturing frontline stories to mentoring the next generation underscores a career built on both excellence and innovation.
More than just a personal win, his success shines a spotlight on how Filipino photographers are redefining the boundaries of the craft, one frame at a time.
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Hi! Let's all try to add more positivity in this world and adhere to the saying, "if you don't have anything nice to say, keep silent."
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