Heritage and Honor: A Filipino Image to International Finalist
Photographs by Dino Dimar
The renowned Head-On Photo Awards have announced Dino Dimar, a Filipino photographer who just relocated to Melbourne, Australia, as a finalist in the portrait division. This is the first time a photographer from the Philippines has been placed among the competition's finalists internationally.
A photographer from the Philippines has been named as a finalist among more than 10,000 entries from 30 countries.
Head On Photo Festival is Australia's premier photography event and a world-leading arts festival. Returning for its 14th consecutive year in 2023, the festival showcases the best in contemporary photography from around the globe.
The HeadOn Photo Awards are among the most prestigious photography contests worldwide, attracting over 10,000 entries from photographers in more than 30 countries. The portrait category is one of the most competitive, with entries from some of the world's most renowned portrait photographers.
This year, the judges had to sift through thousands of entries to select just a handful of finalists. The winning photographs are now on display at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney, Australia, from November 10 to December 3, 2023.
The opening night of the festival on November 10th was a well-attended event with over 600 guests, including artists, finalists, and their families and friends.
In a striking portrayal of strength and faith, Dino Dimar's winning entry immortalizes a retired soldier adorned with Anting-anting, traditional Filipino amulets believed to possess protective powers. This poignant photograph captures not only the soldier's resilience and unwavering spirit but also his profound faith in the potency of Anting-anting to safeguard him.
Anting-anting, crafted from various materials such as wood, bone, and metal, holds deep cultural significance in the Philippines and is often donned by soldiers and individuals confronting daily peril. Beyond their material form, these amulets symbolize the innate human desire for protection and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The potent Philippine amulet represents both the quest for protection and the fragility of its promises within Filipino culture. Desperate for safety, people turned to its ancient aura, hoping it would shield them from all harm. However, the tragic tale of Commander Lawin, aka Retired Staff Sgt. Mingo unfolds a different reality. Despite adorning himself with multiple amulets after losing his left hand in service, the amulet's powers proved insufficient. Commander Lawin's unwavering faith is mirrored in the prayers encircling his waist, a reminder of the limitations of earthly safeguards and the plea for divine guidance.
Drawing from this powerful imagery, we are reminded of the profound connection between faith, resilience, and the immigrant experience. For immigrants in Australia and all over the world, the Anting-anting serves as a poignant symbol, echoing the importance of faith in navigating the challenges of relocation and integration into a new society. The Filipino community, in particular, holds the wisdom of these traditions and the capacity to serve as a beacon of support and kindness to those in need.
As we reflect on the symbolism of Anting-anting, let us recognize and harness the strength of faith and community to uplift and protect all immigrants in Australia. Let us unite as a barrier of goodness, extending a helping hand and embodying the spirit of resilience and support for one another. Together, let us uphold the values of faith, strength, and community, enriching the immigrant experience and fostering a culture of compassion and solidarity.
Our culture and identity for the world to see.
Numerous Filipino photographers exist who may add their distinct viewpoints and opinions to the international photography community. I'm appreciative of the chance to tell the Filipino story in the HeadOn Photo Awards, and hoped it will lead to more opportunities for Filipino photographers in the future.
These stories offer us a glimpse into a world that we may never have the chance to experience ourselves.
These are a few that made it and are worthy of global dissemination.
We can't wait to hear your's.
A fragment of Filipino DNA
The HeadOn Photo Awards are among the most prestigious photography contests worldwide, attracting over 10,000 entries from photographers in more than 30 countries. The portrait category is one of the most competitive, with entries from some of the world's most renowned portrait photographers.
Carrying the Talisman story, photographer Dino Dimar from the Philippines has been selected as one of the competition's finalists out of over 10,000 entries from 30 nations.
The winning photographs are now on display at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney, Australia, from November 10 to December 3, 2023.
Together, let's explore what lies ahead for us.
You can tell me the story you have in mind, and together we can make it come to life.
