When the theme “Feel It” was announced for Canon Photomarathon 2026, Von Cedrick Cunanan immediately gravitated toward two powerful ideas: the intense midday heat and the quiet resilience of the working class.
A civil engineer by profession and one of more than 1,200 participants in Canon’s full-day photography and video competition, Cunanan headed to a jeepney terminal in search of a story that could embody the theme. There, he found his subject—a jeepney driver resting inside his vehicle under the unforgiving heat of the day.
“I wanted to capture what he’s feeling—the heat, the tiredness, the rising fuel prices. I wanted the judges to feel something when they saw it,” Cunanan shared.
That raw, human-centered image ultimately earned him the Grand Champion title of Canon Photomarathon 2026, held on April 18, 2026, at the BGC Amphitheater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
For Cunanan, the win was more than a competition milestone. It was a reminder of photography’s power to surface everyday realities often overlooked. “I saw how these types of photos can open people’s eyes to what’s happening around us. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing,” he said.
A Return to Photography, Reignited by Passion
Cunanan’s journey in photography began in childhood, capturing family moments using film cameras and simple point-and-shoot devices. His mother later gifted him his first “proper” camera when he entered college in 2010, allowing him to explore photography more seriously.
He continued shooting casually until stepping away from the craft around 2018. It wasn’t until 2025 that his passion reignited, prompting him to study modern mirrorless systems. He eventually chose the Canon EOS RP, drawn to its compact form, user-friendly controls, and Canon’s distinct color rendering.
When he came across a countdown announcement for Photomarathon 2026, he registered immediately.
“It was my first photomarathon—and my first photowalk of this scale. I just wanted to experience it,” he said.
For his winning entry, Cunanan received a major prize upgrade: the Canon EOS R6 III with RF24-105mm IS STM lens, a significant step up from his EOS RP.
A Creative Hub Reunites the Canon Community
After a seven-year hiatus, Canon Photomarathon 2026 marked the return of one of the brand’s most iconic creative competitions. The event gathered photographers, videographers, hobbyists, creators, and media professionals for a full-day celebration of visual storytelling.
This year’s competition featured Open Photo and Canon-exclusive Main Photo categories, along with a newly introduced Video Category, expanding the event beyond still photography. Participation was also opened to all digital camera users, alongside dedicated Media and Employee divisions.
The BGC Amphitheater was transformed into an immersive creative playground. The Canon Creator Park featured interactive setups including pet photography zones, cosplay scenes, and bridal portrait stations led by Canon ambassadors and professionals.
On the main stage, participants joined expert-led workshops covering wildlife photography with Marie Lozano and Aaron Gekowski, content creation with Gab Altonaga, cityscape techniques with Edwin Martinez, and EOS C50 insights from Ian Celis and Paolo Ruiz. Attendees also explored Canon’s latest imaging technologies and printed their work instantly through on-site MegaTank printing stations.
“What made today special was seeing so many different kinds of creators in one place, all chasing the same thing: a moment worth capturing,” said Anuj Aggarwal, President and CEO of Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. “Canon Photomarathon 2026 reminded us that creativity grows when people are given the room and the tools to explore it together.”
Strengthening the Creator Community in the Philippines
Canon Photomarathon 2026 forms part of Canon’s broader mission to nurture a growing creator ecosystem in the Philippines—providing platforms where photographers and videographers of all levels can learn, connect, and showcase their work.
Canon Marketing Philippines will be featuring winning entries and event highlights across its official channels in the coming weeks. More information is available at https://ph.canon or via the Canon PH Delightful app.
