This 2025, the DOST-PCHRD will continue to highlight the vital contributions of health research and technology through the HeaRT for the Filipino campaign. This communications initiative aims to showcase how health research improves the lives of Filipinos, with targeted strategies to engage the Council’s diverse audiences, all unified by a single message.

As an annual activity, the DOST-PCHRD will hold the HeaRT for the Filipino Photo Contest. In the past two years, the competition engaged researchers involved in PCHRD-supported projects, encouraging them to capture and share their important work through photography. This year, to further engage the general public, another category, HeaRT Heroes, will be opened. This category will feature role models of health research in action, which could be project leaders, mentors, professors, or anyone they look up to.

Entries will be showcased on the DOST-PCHRD’s official social media platforms—Facebook and Twitter—to raise awareness about the importance of health research initiatives and our health researchers.

Winners will receive cash prizes of P10,000, P5,000, and P3,000 in their respective categories. Additionally, special awards, including a cash prize of P1,500, will be given for the People’s Choice and the DOST-PCHRD Executive Director’s Choice.

CONTEST GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY

The contest is open to all project leaders and members whose research projects have been supported by the DOST-PCHRD from 2018 to 2024. For the second and third categories, the contest is open to all individuals aged 18 and above.

Projects and entries that won in the 2023 and 2024 Capture the Heart in Health Research Photo Contest are not eligible to participate in this year’s competition.  Joining the contest is free of charge. Employees of PCHRD and members of their immediate family are not eligible to participate.

THEME: Heart for the Filipino

Participants may join in any of the three categories:

1. For DOST-PCHRD supported projects (ongoing and completed). The photo may focus on the research team in action, an event led under the project, or related research activities. The entry should come with a one- to three- sentence description that highlights how the photo portrays a heart for the Filipino people. 
2. For the General Public. The photo should depict HeaRT for the Filipino. It should highlight the 7Ms Filipino core values, which are widely known: Malikhain, Makatao, Makakalikasan, Makabansa, Masayahin, May Bayanihan, and May Pag-asa. The entry should come with a one- to three-sentence description that highlights how the photo portrays HeaRT for the Filipino.
3. For the Heart Heroes. The photo should feature an individual such as project leader, mentor, professor, or anyone that serves as a role model to students/project members in health research or field of health sciences. It should portray an action photo with one to three sentences, depicting how the chosen individual shares their heart for the Filipino.

MECHANICS

• All entries should be sent via email to ricud-comm@pchrd.dost.gov.ph from January 17 to February 28, 2025. Each project/individual is allowed to submit one (1) entry only. Participants should indicate the category number and the photo title in the subject line (Category 1 – Photo Title).
• Upon submission of entries, the contestants certify the following:
  • They own the photographs submitted and they grant DOST-PCHRD full permission to use it in knowledge packaging, sharing, and advocacy related to DOST-PCHRD mandate. DOST-PCHRD  shall ensure that the owner of the photograph will be properly acknowledged for photos used, such as in print and digital publications.
  • The photographs are original, have not won any previous photo contests, have not been published elsewhere (whether print or electronic), and have not been submitted as entries to any other photo contests.
  • The photos have not been digitally altered and/or enhanced in any way other than simple cropping and minor adjustments on brightness, contrast, and exposure.

The entry to be submitted should be digital, colored, in JPEG format and at least 3,000 pixels wide for a horizontal image, or 3,000 pixels tall for a vertical image at 300 dpi.

• The submitted entry should include the following details in English:
  • Full name of the owner of photograph: 
  • Current affiliated institution and designation:
  • Project Title (from which PCHRD-supported project the photo was taken):
  • Project Duration:
  • Project Leader:
  • Photo title:
  • Photo caption for social media posting (1-3 sentences only):
  • Date when the photo was taken:
  • Place where the photo was taken:

Note: If the project member will submit the entry, the project leader should issue a certification that he or she is a team member of the project.

• Awarding ceremonies will be held on 17 or 18 March 2025 during the 43rd Anniversary celebration of DOST-PCHRD. Winners will be notified via email.
• Deadline of Submission: 28 February 2025, 5:00 P.M. The submission will automatically close and reject any entries that will be submitted after the deadline.
• Eligible entries per category will be posted at the DOST-PCHRD Facebook Page for viewing and voting for the People’s Choice Award starting 3 March until 10 March 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
• Announcement and awarding of winners : 17 or 18 March 2025

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING

Relevance to the Theme   –   40%

Impact (Communication potential of the photo) –  40%

Creativity of caption     –    5%

Photo quality   –  15%

TOTAL: 100%

For inquiries and clarifications, please coordinate with Ms. Allyn Villahermosa (email: aivillahermosa@pchrd.dost.gov.ph, mobile/viber: 0977 635 9035).