In celebration of the 114th Anniversary of Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR), the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) proudly launched its first-ever Maki-Masid Photo Contest.
The Maki-Masid initiative, which began as a photo and video event in 2019, initially invited photographers and videographers—both amateur and professional—to capture the beauty of Mount Makiling. This year, MCME has transformed the event into an exciting photo competition with the theme: “Building Resilience Together: Uniting for Biodiversity and Conservation.”
The contest celebrates Mount Makiling’s stunning biodiversity, vibrant ecosystems, and iconic landscapes, encouraging participants to showcase their creativity and appreciation for nature. This milestone event not only highlights the importance of conservation but also strengthens community engagement in protecting one of the Philippines’ most cherished natural heritage sites.
The contest aimed to inspire appreciation for MMFR’s rich biodiversity and highlight the importance of conservation. After careful deliberation, three winners were declared in the following categories:
- Flora Biodiversity: Mr. Mike Allen Gabinete captured the award for this category with his remarkable photo entitled “Diverse Stand.”
- Fauna Biodiversity: Mr. Ian Cary B. Prado showcased the vibrant wildlife of MMFR through his winning shot.
- Unique Landscape Features of MMFR: Mr. Dennis B. Macalindong amazed the judges with his depiction of the reserve’s breathtaking landscapes.
These outstanding photographs highlight the unique beauty of Mount Makiling and the vital role it plays in fostering biodiversity and ecological resilience. Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all participants for their contributions to this celebration of nature!
By MLPutian
Photos by MLPutian
