PCP congratulates Filipino lensman for winning Prix Varenne

The Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines congratulates Agence France Presse photojournalist Noel Celis for winning the 2016 Prix Varenne Photo Award for the story he did on the overcrowded prison in Metro Manila.

Celis’ work gave attention to the true condition of prison life in big urban centers like Metro Manila and the need to address overcapacity to provide decent human condition in prison cells around the country.

Celis through an interview with Time magazine emphasized the important role of photojournalists to convey real stories and elicit reaction from its viewers. “What’s the use of photojournalism if the readers or the world would just appreciate the pictures as art,” he said. “If there’s no reaction, it’s either of the two: The photographer is a failure or the world just [doesn’t] care [and] the message didn’t get through.”

(Source: http://time.com/4438112/philippines-overcrowded-prison-manila-rodrigo-duterte/)

PCP commends Mr. Celis for the persistence and hardwork he put into this project to raise the public’s awareness on the issue.

Noel Celis is an alumnus of the 4th PCP Professional Photojournalism and Documentary Photography Workshop in 2004. The PCP workshop aims to raise the participants’ level of understanding of documentary photography and photojournalism trends and to enhance artistic and ethical practice of the profession.

Noel Celis (left) poses for a selfie with photojournalism students of UP Diliman during a protest rally coverage in Mendiola, Manila. (Photo by Chin Samson)