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Illuminating realities:  2 Filipino photojournalists recognized in 2026 World Press Photo contest

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Aaron Favila, Associated Press/ World Press Photo Contest 2026

Jes Aznar, New York Times/ World Press Photo 2026

Maria Virginia Sy

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177581215812120260410-favila-aznar-handout.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Filipino photojournalists Aaron Favila and Jes Aznar. World Press Photo/Handout</div>Two Filipino photojournalists have been recognized in the 2026 World Press Photo Contest for two distinct stories impacting Asia-Pacific and Oceania.The photojournalists were among a total of 42 winners selected by an independent jury, headed by Global Jury Chair Kira Pollack.The entries were judged “based on their visual excellence, storytelling approach, and commitment to diversity; celebrating local voices, dedication, and a range of styles,” according to WPP.The stories were shortlisted from 57,376 photographs submitted by 3,747 photographers from 141 countries for the 69th iteration of the World Press Photo Contest.It is considered to be the most prestigious and coveted award-giving body in the field of photojournalism.Associated Press photographer Aaron Favila offered a fresh take on the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events by capturing a wedding celebration in the flooded Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.The event occurred when Tropical Storm Crising (international name Wipha) hit the Philippines in July 2025. Favila’s work highlighted the resilience of local communities through the experience of the couple, Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar, who proceeded with their momentous celebration despite the rising floodwaters.The jury noted how Favila successfully provided “a great visual record of a recurring crisis with growing significance.For Favila, it was the uniqueness of the story that motivated him to document the event after receiving a tip from Maria Tan, a fellow photojournalist.“I have seen a lot of floods and weddings in my life, but never together,” he said. “Laces were never meant to float on water.”Having covered disasters for over 2 decades, he knew this story was too significant to miss—even if it meant navigating heavily flooded roads.Luckily, he hitched a ride on a rescue truck, arriving at Barasoain Church just as the bride was about to enter.“Never have I photographed anything like it. Elements of sad, joy, anxiety, discomfort, history, architecture, fashion and jubilation were all in this story. I just had to take a chance. My bosses gave me a big nod. And then it happened.’ he added.He knew he had a significant task ahead - to make the documentation both beautiful and effective in its storytelling. “I wanted to show how beautiful the ceremony is,” he explained.<div>[[PHOTO ALBUM]]</div>“Scam Hub Under Siege,” captured by documentary photographer and photojournalist Jes Aznar for The New York Times, also emerged as a winner in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania region.The story focused on facilities in Myanmar where “scammers”—typically victims of human trafficking themselves—are held.The contest jury noted how the photographer successfully revealed the “unimaginable scale and complexity” of human trafficking in a country “where ordinary offices have essentially become places where people are effectively enslaved.”They further explained how the photo story provided a vivid visual account of exploitation, which is often presented as an abstract concept in written reports. Moving away from chasing daily news, Aznar explains that he now focuses on stories from the fringes—whether they are pieces he initiated through his own research or collaborations supporting other journalists.  “I think this is one of those stories. Because important stories sometimes aren&#x27;t heard about very often.”Reporting from the front lines between Myanmar’s junta and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the team remained aware of the extreme danger in Karen State, planning meticulously and acting with caution. They had less than three hours to document the area and produce images that would effectively tell the story. The 10-image photo story submitted to the World Press Photo (WPP) contest was selected from a set of 100; Aznar credited his editor, Matej Leskovsek, with the difficult task of trimming and sequencing the work to produce a cohesive narrative for The New York Times. Asked about the significance of this recognition, he maintained that “while awards are always welcome tokens in the profession, they should not be a primary motivation.” He believes that the true validation of a photojournalist’s work comes from the audience and, most importantly, the people affected by the stories. “They are the ones,” he said, “who can gauge if we’re doing enough.” The winning stories, according to the Dutch foundation World Press Photo, “illuminate the realities we face globally—from the climate crisis to the human cost of conflict—but at the same time show the enduring dignity of those who persevere by focusing on stories of resistance, rebuilding, and recovery.”This emphasizes the vital role of photojournalism in witnessing, truth-telling, and engaging the public to draw attention to the significant issues of our time.“This is a critical moment—for democracy, for truth, for the question of what we as a society are willing to see and call out and what we are willing to ignore. The photographers recognized here have done their part. They have made the record. Now it is our turn to look,” Global Jury Chair Kira Pollack said.

Two Filipino photojournalists have been recognized in the 2026 World Press Photo Contest for two distinct stories impacting Asia-Pacific and Oceania.

Two Filipino photojournalists have been recognized in the 2026 World Press Photo Contest for two distinct stories impacting Asia-Pacific and Oceania.

Illuminating realities: 2 Filipino photojournalists recognized in 2026 World Press Photo contest

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Illuminating realities: 2 Filipino photojournalists recognized in 2026 World Press Photo contest

Gigie Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 10, 2026 05:53 PM PHT

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Updated April 13, 2026 07:03 PM PHT

Read More:

2026 World Press Photo Contest

Aaron Favila

Jes Aznar

Photojournalism

Barasoain

Myanmar

human trafficking

documentary photography

Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines

World Press Photo

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