Timeless Baguio Photo Contest – capture Baguio as an Idyllic Tourist destination

Photo Contest on “timeless” Baguio Now On

A photo contest covering the theme “Timeless Baguio as an Idyllic
Tourist destination” is now open to all photography enthusiasts, with
exciting cash awards and special prizes from Victory Liner and YKL
Color- Fujifilm up for grabs.

First Prize = P75,000.00 + YKL/Fujifilm Gift pack : Tax Free
Second Prize = P50,000.00 + YKL/Fujifilm Gift pack : Tax Free
Third Prize = P35,000.00 + YKL/Fujifilm Gift pack : Tax Free

Special Category: Image that will show a Victory Liner Bus against the
back drop of Bagiuo

The competition, which will run from February 1 to April 30, 2009, is
open to all Filipinos currently residing in the country, male or
female, aged 18 years old and above. Subjects for the entries are
“timeless” photos of

(1) People who are indigenous to Baguio and showing their unique culture;
(2) Places of interest and other tourist destinations in Baguio;
(3) Events that capture romance, festivities and other fun activities in Baguio.

Each entrant may submit entries of any subject he or she wishes
provided that the same has not been entered in any other photo
contests. Published and unpublished works will be accepted, and
participants whose entry/ies get included in the final selection
process will be asked to submit original digital files and/or
negatives of their entries.

Contest participants can enter any number of photos taken using
digital or conventional film camera. Entries must be printed in full
color, size 8″ x 10″, using Fuji Crystal archive paper, sealed in a
long brown envelope and submitted together with an information sheet.
Only minimal digital retouching is allowed. Enhancements are limited
to cropping, color level and contrast adjustment. Entries found to
have been manipulated digitally will be disqualified automatically.
Contest judges include renowned travel photographers George Tapan and
Wig Tysmans, famed cinematographer Romy Vitug and Ronald Jayme,
section editor of Manila Bulletin’s Picture Perfect.

“The photo entries should capture the essence of the timelessness and
beauty of Baguio as a travel destination,” explains Marivic Del Pilar,
treasury and marketing head of Victory Liner. “For this contest, we
are looking at photos that show some of the reasons why lots of
tourists continue to flock to Baguio, especially during summer. The
photos should also be celebratory in nature, are evocative and yet
still spell fun.”

Del Pilar added the contest is the company’s own little way of giving
back to the Baguio City community, who has always been supportive of
their bus services up North. The country’s summer capital has been a
major route of Victory Liner’s for over 60 years. And as Baguio
celebrate its Centennial Year, Victory Liner honors such milestone
with a photo contest that gives credence to its attractions’ timeless
appeal to tourists and fun-loving Filipinos.

Now is a great time to get your favorite camera, hop on any Victory
Liner bus and start clicking. Interested parties, simply visit North
Luzon dealer outlets of YKL Color-Fujifilm and Victory Liner bus
terminals throughout the country, fill out a registration form and
submit it together with your entry either in person at VLI Caloocan or
via registered mail. Submission of entries is from February 1 to April
30, 2009. For entries sent via registered mail, the postage stamp
should be dated on or before April 30, 2009. For more details, see
posters and flyers,

Major Daily Violates Photographer’s Copyright and Intellectual Property

What do you do when a major daily violates your copyright?

#1 I guess the most prudent thing is to get their attention!

I already asked the picture perfect section people at MB to mention this to them or at least try to get in touch with me because I had some questions to ask them.. but I didnt get a response. Note: the picture perfect feature came out in July and it is now October. You can read the Picture Perfect Feature here.

# 2 Another prudent thing to do would be to state or present evidence of this violation.

Here is the 1st Photo that was used..how do i know its my Photo? The Kalesa’s in Vigan have plate numbers and this one was intentionaly erased.. I also have the original Photos shot in RAW and Exif Preserved Exif to prove time and date of the shoot. The Vigan assignment was a for a client.

Here is the 2nd Photo that was used.. when I shot this, I was the only one there.. and the potter posed for me.. I even have the photos of the same pot being put back into the pile of clay to use it if anyone else comes to his shop that day.

Here is the MB Feature of Vigan by MAX BALLESTEROS (march 21, 2007 B-5)

Why did I wait this long? Ive been busy with SEMCON 2007 and other things.. I thought the meeting with the picture perfect team would at least get their attention but they didnt do anything.

I have decided to write about it now to get their attention and to let others know and be aware that violations like these still happen and that they should be vigilant. The world is getting smaller, I dont know what Max Ballesteros or the Manila Bulletin was thinking in this exercise of violating my copyright and intellectual property as a Photographer.

What to do next? I dont really know where to proceed from here… but Some Lawyer friends and Photographers have advised the following action.

1. Send them a Billing and charge them for the use of the Photos.
2. Ask them to explain, why and how they got the Photos in writing.
3. Remuneration for use of the Photos and a public apology.
4. Full page ad as public apology.
5. all of the above with heads on a platter.
6. Charge them an Arm, Leg and a camera!

What do you guys think? What should I do or demand from Manila Bulletin?

I wouldnt mind meeting with this Max Ballesteros.

I am not in this for the money. This practice of stealing photos online has to stop and if I keep mum and pray that this goes away and never comes back.. i must be joking.. it will only get worse and happen over and over again.

I pray and hope that something may prosper… I did write the IPO office a few months back but didnt get any response.. I even met one of their reps in an exhibit and they had a booth.. but she was more interested in inviting me to get some of their brochures then actually listening to what I had to say… didnt bother, didnt want to waste my time…

Hope this post can make a difference.

EDITED:
I forgot to mention that photos were taken from this blog.. one of my earlier posts 10/31/2005 Visiting Vigan

EDITED 10/3/2007

Manila Bulletin has contacted me thru Mr. Ronald Jayme of Picture Perfect. They have asked me “to formally send a letter of complaint addressed to our editor-in-chief, Dr. Cris J. Icban, Jr. From there, the management will take action and/or necessary measures on the matter. “

Also …. This is to clarify that Picture Perfect Section of Manila Bulletin has no connection with the infringement violation of Manila Bulletin Travel & Tourism Section. Ronald Jayme, The section chief of Picture Perfect requested that I clear their name.. in fact it is Mr. Ronald Jayme who is coordinating everything.

EDITED 10/11/2007Â

• UPDATE FROM MANILA BULLETIN:

Date: October 11, 2007 9:01:53 PM GMT+08:00

This is to inform you that an investigation has been launched concerning your complaint of copyright infringement in the Travel and Tourism section of March 21, 2007.

Be assured that we will take proper action on this matter and we will duly inform youÂ

UPDATE FROM MANILA BULLETIN:

Date: October 11, 2007 9:01:53 PM GMT+08:00

This is to inform you that an investigation has been launched concerning your complaint of copyright infringement in the Travel and Tourism section of March 21, 2007.

Be assured that we will take proper action on this matter and we will duly inform you within a week.

Thank you.

Cris J. Icban Jr.Thank you.

Cris J. Icban Jr.EDITED 10/ 13/2007

• ABS-CBN Interactive picks up the copyright Violation Story.

EDITED 10/26/2007

NO NEWS yet from Manila Bulletin.

This Topic also discussed here Digital Photographer, Pinoy Photography, Philmug.ph

Letter of Mr. Cris J Icban Jr. was dated Oct 11 and he stated that he would get back to me “within a week.” It is now more than 2 weeks.. no feedback.. no news..