I’m gonna be honest with y’all, I for one don’t know jack about art. It’s difficult for me to understand the “nuances” of art (wow, big word…). But that doesn’t mean I can’t tell a good photo from a mediocre one.
Boy oh boy, the entries submitted by our kababayans are nothing short of amazing. With that in mind, let me congratulate all the Filipino finalists and winners of the 2025 HUAWEI XMAGE Awards. That’s no small feat, considering they’re competing with talented people from around the world.
Seeing these entries, you’d think they were shot on professional grade cameras, but no, these photos were taken using HUAWEI phones. A true testament to HUAWEI’s legacy as a mobile photography leader.
Leading the Filipino delegation are Mark Linel Padecio, with his entry “Muddy But Happy,” and Rhon Velarde, with “Glimmer of Hope.” Mark used a HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro for his entry, while Rhon used a HUAWEI P40 Pro.
It just goes to show that whether you’re rocking a five year old HUAWEI smartphone or the latest and greatest HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra, every moment captured is art in and of itself.
Rhon Velarde’s A Glimmer of Hope
Rhon Velarde’s entry into the XMAGE Awards looks like something out of a space movie. You have a mostly dark background with just enough light to dimly reveal the subject’s face. Rhon masterfully uses light, shadow, and deep focus to convey a message of optimism and perseverance.
What’s even more impressive is that the photo was shot on a five year old HUAWEI P40 Pro. Can you imagine that? While some modern flagships struggle to take a simple photo, this older HUAWEI smartphone does it with ease.
Mark Linel Padecio’s Muddy But Happy
Mark’s entry to the XMAGE Awards is like the yang to Rhon’s yin, light and dark. Now, I’m not saying Rhon’s entry centers around darkness, I’m just saying he used it as a vessel to convey his message, while Mark used light.
Everything about the photo screams raw and unscripted. It looks like something you’d capture while on a walk outside, but that’s the beauty of it. It reminds us that happiness can be found even in the most mundane circumstances.
Through the photographic prowess of the HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro, Mark perfectly captures the innocence and resilience of the children in the image, even in the worst conditions, symbolized by the mud.
A Showcase of Filipino Excellence at the Exhibit
Aside from the two we’ve mentioned, three more entries were recognized for their outstanding contributions, further solidifying the Philippines’ status as a creative force at the XMAGE Awards.
And with devices like the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra, currently topping DxOMark’s charts by eight points over the iPhone 17 Pro Max, it’s no wonder Filipino photographers are pushing creative boundaries.
These include:
- Philip Am Guay with his entry “Celestial Kois,” captured with a HUAWEI P40 Pro+. This stunning piece truly embodies its celestial theme, like something you’d find in a Japanese temple.
- Bien Bacarra Jr. receives praise for his entry “Untamed,” taken with a HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro. The piece just radiates aura. I mean, just look at the wrangler with his scarf and face coverings, straight up aura farming.
- Domcar C. Lagto’s “CHASING THE DAWN, PURSUING DREAMS,” shot with the HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra, dares you to seize the day, even as it ends, symbolized by the setting sun in the background.
The success of these photographers celebrates the boundless creativity of Filipinos and reaffirms XMAGE’s mission to empower anyone to create professional quality images with just a smartphone. The Paris exhibit stands as a global stage, showcasing how the most unforgettable photos are born from a photographer’s unique vision and instinct to capture the heart of the moment.
To learn more about the XMAGE Awards, visit https://consumer.huawei.com/en/campaign/xmage/