Best festival moments captured in Saulog 2025 winning photographs
A vibrant celebration of art, culture, and heritage took place on May 19, 2025, as the Saulog Visual Art Exhibit 2025 and Awarding of the Saulog Photo Contest unfolded at the BQ Mall Atrium, Tagbilaran City.
Organized by the City Government of Tagbilaran through the City Events, Culture, and the Arts Office (CECAO) and the Tagbilaran City Council for Culture and the Arts (TCCCA), the event served as a tribute to the creativity of local artists and
photographers who captured the soul of the Saulog Tagbilaran Festival 2025.
Vice Mayor Adam Jala represented Mayor Jane Yap during the event, delivering an inspiring message emphasizing the city’s commitment to supporting the arts.
“Every captured moment and every brushstroke are a celebration of our identity as Boholanos and as proud Tagbilaranons,” he said.
The event was also graced by key personalities in the arts and culture scene: Mr. Joey Labrador, TCCCA Committee Chair on Visual Arts; Mr. Alexis Cadeliña and Ms. Jasmin Madera, of CECAO and Mr. Jezir Lascuña, visual artist and environmental advocate.
The visual art exhibit featured a rich array of works that reflect the vibrant traditions, devotion, and festive spirit of Saulog Tagbilaran. It offered the public a chance to view how local artists interpret the festival through photography.
The awarding of the Saulog Photo Contest 2025 was one of the most awaited highlights of the event, honoring photographers whose entries captured the heartbeat of the festival.
The contest was divided into two categories: Contingent and Street, each telling unique visual stories of the city’s grandest celebration.
The Contingent Category First Place winner is Mr. Ralph Llanos. His photo captured a radiant Festival Queen clad in a vibrant green costume who beams with joy and pride as she performs during the Saulog Festival street parade. Her expressive pose and glittering attire capture the energy and elegance.
In the Street Category, First Place winner is Mr. Hamilito Nocete. The shot taken by Mr. Nocete shows three children burst into laughter as they play in the middle of the street, surrounded by the colorful backdrop of the Saulog celebration. This candid moment beautifully reflects the joy, innocence, and community spirit at the heart of the festival.
Here’s the full list of winners:
Street Category:
2nd – Evan Mel Ingles
3rd – Nataniel Luperte
4th – Eduardo Navarro Jr.
5th – John Togonon
6th – Mark Anthony Cosep
7th – Evan Mel Ingles
8th – Mark Anthony Cosep
9th – Hamilito Nocete
10th – Maxigne Lou Delusa
11th – Semie Rebayla
12th – Rey Magale
13th – Nataniel Luperte
14th – Ralph Llanos
15th – Melbourne Edillon
16th – Albert Dano
17th – Evan Mel Ingles
18th – Michol Sanchez
19th – Philip John Gelicame
Contingent Category:
2nd – Maxwell John Bongo
3rd – Ralph Llanos
4th – Maxwell John Bongo
5th – Maxwell John Bongo
6th – Ralph Llanos
7th – Katherine Riveral
8th – Ralph Llanos
9th – Alfe Boloron
10th – Ralph Llanos
11th – Francisco Pajares Jr.
12th – Angel Baldapan Jr.
13th – Ruel Parena
14th – Maxigne Lou Delusa
15th – Alfe Boloron
16th – Ralph Llanos
17th – Gerald James Cabal
18th – Albert Dano
19th – Ruel Parena
20th – Ralph Llanos
This event reaffirmed the City Government of Tagbilaran’s commitment to promoting artistic excellence and preserving cultural heritage.
Through platforms like the Saulog Visual Art Exhibit and Photo Contest, the city continues to uplift local talent and celebrate the stories that make Tagbilaran vibrant and united.
A Festival Queen shines bright in a stunning green costume, exuding elegance and pride as she strikes a powerful pose during the Saulog Tagbilaran Festival 2025 street parade. Photographer Ralph Llanos took home First Place in the Contingent Category of the Saulog Photo Contest 2025 with this captivating shot. The award-winning image was unveiled at the Saulog Visual Art Exhibit and Awarding Ceremony held at the BQ Mall Atrium on May 19, showcasing the vibrant energy and rich culture that makes Tagbilaran City’s festival so grand. (Contributed photo)
Tagbilaran City gathers stakeholders for presentation of urban biodiversity index results
In a concerted effort to promote ecological resilience and sustainable urban development, the City Government of Tagbilaran, through the Tagbilaran City Environmental Management Office (TCEMO), convened key stakeholders for the presentation of the Final City Biodiversity Index (CBI) Results at the Panda Tea Garden on May 15, 2025.
The activity, held in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CENRO Tagbilaran and the DENR Regional Office 7, is part of the ongoing implementation of the Urban Biodiversity Program, which aims to assess and enhance green spaces in highly urbanized areas.
Presiding over the meeting was Engr. Raul T. Aparicio III, Head of TCEMO, and he emphasized the city’s commitment to integrating biodiversity management into its development plans.
Representatives from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, national agencies, academic institutions, civil society, and sectoral groups attended the event.
Mr. Reginaldo G. Bueno, Biologist of the Conservation and Development Division of DENR Regional Office 7, delivered an in-depth presentation on the Urban Biodiversity Program, highlighting the national framework and strategies for biodiversity conservation in cities.
This was followed by the presentation of the Biodiversity Site Assessment results for Tagbilaran City by Ms. Juliet Tadle, Forester Technician I from DENR-CENRO Tagbilaran.
Her presentation covered the ecological characteristics, green space distribution, and habitat conditions within the city.
The culminating presentation of the Tagbilaran City Biodiversity Index Results was delivered by the TCEMO technical staff under the leadership of Engr. Aparicio.
The index provides a measurable snapshot of the city’s biodiversity status, based on indicators such as ecosystem services, habitat quality, and species richness.
Stakeholders in attendance lauded the city’s proactive stance in assessing its biodiversity baseline. Their insights and feedback during the open forum are expected to feed into the formulation of comprehensive strategies and actions for the protection and enhancement of the city’s ecological assets.
The output of the activity will serve as a critical reference for the upcoming Urban Biodiversity Management Planning Workshop scheduled on May 28–29, 2025, which aims to develop a strategic, multi-sectoral plan for integrating biodiversity considerations into city planning, land use, and infrastructure development.
As Tagbilaran continues to urbanize, this initiative affirms the city government’s dedication to inclusive, science-based, and environmentally sound governance, ensuring that nature remains at the heart of urban progress.
Photo shows key stakeholders from national government agencies, Sangguniang Panlungsod, academic institutions, civil society organizations, sectoral groups, and City Government of Tagbilaran employees gather for a group photo during the presentation of the Final City Biodiversity Index (CBI) Results on May 15, 2025, at Panda Tea Garden. The event, led by the Tagbilaran City Environmental Management Office in partnership with DENR CENRO Tagbilaran and DENR Region 7, highlights the city’s commitment to science-driven, biodiversity-friendly urban development. (Contributed photo)