Press Release

Celebrate the Sea Festival:  13-15 June, Manila Ocean Park, Philippines 2008
www.CelebratetheSea.com

Calling all Entries 2008

If you are shooting underwater then you must compete in ‘Celebrate the Sea Festival – the most prestigious and richest underwater imagery competition in the Asia Pacific –. Now in its seventh year, the festival will be held from 13-15 June, Manila Ocean Park, Manila, Philippines.

Until 10 May 2008, we invite you to take part in this prominent event by entering the numerous international competitions.  There is over $50 000 in cash and holiday prizes; Awards up for grab are OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: MERIT OF EXCELLENCE: HONOR OF DISTINCTION: High Commendation for each category plus the most coveted title for 2008 will be the ‘President Gloria Arroyo Grand Award of Highest Achievement 2008’ which includes the US$2000 cash prize.

Your work will be judged by some of the top underwater image makers including Peter Scoone, Emory Kristof, David Doubilet, Daniel Mecier, Michael AW, Scott Tuason etc.  Finalists will be displayed in special galleries for the duration of the show and with more than 15 000 people expected, the festival offers unrivalled international exposure. The winners will also be published in Ocean Geographic, Action Asia, Scuba Diver (PADI’s official magazine in Asia – Pacific) and Asian Geographic magazines with a chance at the front cover.
To Download the Entry Form go to www.celebratethesea.com or email: .

Celebrate the Sea International Imagery Competition 2008
The International Underwater Imagery Competitions is the centerpiece of Celebrate the Sea Festival; we view the importance of celebrating the beauty of our seas by awarding recognitions to image makers that has spend time and effort to produce the best imagery for 2008. Along with medals, cash and holiday prizes, the most coveted title for Best Image Maker is the ‘President ARROYO – Grand Award of Highest Achievement 2008’ (US$2000 cash prize)*. Please note the new entry submission requirement and award titles for this year competition.

Visit the Celebrate the Sea 2008 website for rules and regulations.

Press Release

Celebrate the Sea 2008 – The WOW Philippines Imagery Competition

To celebrate the splendour of underwater Philippines, Manila Ocean Park and OceanNEnvironment invite you to participate in the WOW Philippines Imagery Competition staged in conjunction with Celebrate the Sea Festival 2008 Philippines. You will be diving some of the most beautiful and enchanting reefs in the world. 

By participating in the WOW Philippines Imagery Competition, you will be competing for one of these prestigious titles:

The WOW Awards – for the most outstanding image and video
The Hi Five Award – for the highest score or the most well balanced portfolio
The Quick Draw Awards – for the best action image and video
Conservation – Merit of Excellence Medal

Yes, there will be medals, equipment and holiday prizes for the WOW Philippines Imagery Competition winners but the aim is also to challenge for the ‘President Grand Award of Highest Achievement 2008’ with a US$2000 prize money.

Competition Guidelines:
1. Dive and shoot with any of CTS WOW Philippines Imagery Competition participating resorts/dive operators any where in the Philippines between 1Feb to 1 May 2008
2. Submit your entry with a Philippine Airlines boarding pass or a receipt from one of CTS WOW Philippines Imagery Competition participating resorts/dive operators. Boarding pass or receipt must be in your name and dated between 1 February to 1 May.
3. Photographic entries – submit a portfolio of 5 images; they can be a combination of macro, wide angle, behavoir or a thematic submission of locations, behavoir or portraits.
• The 5 images each printed on photographic quality paper approximate size: 8 1/2” x 11”
• A CD / DVD comprising of all the 5 images – hi res, minimum file size 10 mb, maximum 100 mb (tiff, 300 dpi or hi res jpeg 300 dpi)
• EXIF / Metadata file must be included in all images.
• Images must have been taken in Philippines between 1 February to 1 May - underwater, with a digital camera; aquarium photos will not be judged. Over-under shots are permitted, but digital composites / montage are not. The RAW/original files of the 5 images must also be included in the CD/DVD
• Digital editing is limited to cropping, levels, contrast adjustment and sharpening. Masking technique is not permitted. The judges refer to the raw/original files for verification.

Video Entries
• A 3 to 5 mins video montage with or without narration; the presentation may be in documentary or music video format.
• Footage must have been captured in the Philippines between 1 February to 1 May 2008– 75% of video must be underwater. 
• Submission in DVD – PAL or NTSC; 16:9 format is preferred. Please supply two copies of DVD. 

Submission
Send your CD/DVD containing 5 images and the same images on prints or video entry (DVD) to
PO Box, 2138, Carlingford Court, NSW 2118, Australia OR by courier to 2A Cary Street, Baulkam Hills, NSW 2153, Australia
Entry deadline is 10 May 2008 – with your entry remember to enclosed a Philippines Airlines boarding pass or a receipt from one of CTS WOW Philippines Imagery Competition participating resorts/dive operators. Boarding pass or receipt must be in your name.

For more information www.celebratethesea.com.