Award-winning photojournalists Mau Victa of the Baguio Chronicle and Andy Zapata of the Philippine Star staged the first-ever photo exhibit at the lobby of Candon Arena during the Tobacco Festival.
Victa and Zapata revealed 20 photos from 19 years of celebrating the Tobacco Festival, which was created to pay homage to the cash crop that propelled Candon into a full-fledged city. Other photos include those of tobacco farmers and workers as Candon is recognized as the biggest producer of Virginia tobacco in the country.
Included in the exhibit are photos captured by Zapata and Victa which led them to win the Brightleaf Agricultural Awards five times, qualifying them to win the Hall of Fame Award as well.
Frank Cimatu, the curator of the show, said that the photos show the evolution of the festival as well as the evolution of the city into a place of dynamism and creativity.
The two faithfully documented the festival since its inception, he said.
Former Ilocos Sur Rep. Owen Singson, a photography hobbyist, said that he is amazed at the color and the intensity of the works. The photos will be on display for more than a month at the Candon Arena.
Sponsors of the event include Japan Tobacco International, Philip Morris International, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Universal Leaf Philippines Inc., and the City of Candon.
Media partners are Amianan Balita, Balitang Northern Luzon, Mountain Beacon, Northern Luzon Post, and Baguio Chronicle.
