From over 500 participants, 20 young aspiring photographers have been selected in this year’s search for AirAsia Travel Photographer. The photo contest, which is now on its second-year, is part of AirAsia’s continuous effort to inspire, engage and empower the youth to pursue their goals by traveling and sharing their stories through stunning images and photographs.

The twenty semifinalists went through rounds of judging taking into consideration their personality, creativity, content, originality and technical or visual presentation. On Thursday, August 4, 2016, at Casa Italia in Forbestown, Bonifacio Global City, the six finalists were named and they are:

• Mithilaya Miclat from Davao
• Kimberly Pauig from Pasig
• Atty. Eliseo Zuniga from Taguig
• Neil Michael Cardano from Puerto Princesa
• Daniel Magbanua from Quezon City
• Dave Poblete from Makati

The panel of judges consists of young leaders and veterans in the field of photography, branding and visual arts. Nachi Ugarte, creative director of GRID magazine; Jacob Maentz, documentary photographer; Wawi Navarrosa, artist/photographer, founder of Thousandfold; and Rudy Kaw, AirAsia Group’s head of branding, all shared their thoughts and advice to participants during the selection process held at Café Italia in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The six finalists will be traveling to Shanghai this August for the final leg of the competition which includes series of challenges in landscape, portrait and food photography. The criteria in judging their works are 20% Technical (Originality, style, context and photographic vision), 20% General Characteristics (Focus/sharpness, color and or tonal rendition, lighting and contrast), 20% Visual and Aesthetic (Framing and choice of viewpoint, background, design elements & principles and visual impact), and 40% Content (Information, emotion, mood, feeling, denotative and connotative content (symbolism and metaphor), relevance, subject impact, communication through the language of photography and insight).

The Grand Winner will be declared as “AirAsia Travel Photographer of the Year” and will receive 200,000 AirAsia BIG Points, surprise vacation package and more prizes from partner brands including GRID magazine and Flight 001.

For updates on the six finalists, visit www.airasiatp.com and/or follow the hashtags #AirAsiaTP2016 and #AirAsiaTravelPhotograper on social media.