Puerto Vallarta, Mexico — In a ceremony rich with emotion and community pride, the municipal government of Puerto Vallarta awarded the top photographers in the “What Defines Us as Vallartenses de Corazón?” contest. The event was held in the central patio of the Municipal Palace, commemorating Puerto Vallarta’s double anniversary—106 years as a municipality and 56 years as a city.
Erick Fabián González Pérez clinched first place, Javier Alfredo Rojas Rodríguez secured second, and Luz Aurora Pérez de la Cruz earned third place in a contest that saw participation from over 100 photographers. The contest was organized by Master Benny Rico, who has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant photographic community in the city.
Interim Mayor Francisco José Martínez Gil praised the art of photography in his address, stating, “Photography is the painting of the combination of the eyes, the lens, and our heart. Every moment, every second, can represent an image that remains captured in time and can reflect many things. It is the art of painting, of cinema, of the eyes of what you see, what you think, what you feel, what you find, and what you can discover.”
Mayor Martínez Gil emphasized the depth and meaning behind photography, commending both the winners and the contest organizers for their contributions to the cultural fabric of Puerto Vallarta.
Ada Candelaria O’Connor, a judge of the contest, explained the rigorous qualification process and thanked the Vallartense Institute of Culture for recognizing the importance of photographic production. “The importance of this contest lies in activating citizen participation, it unites us as a community, it presents us with a series of points of view from different contexts, it shows the concerns, the richness of character, and the creativity of its participants,” O’Connor said. She highlighted that the focus was more on content than on form, emphasizing the impact and message of the photographs over technical aspects.
Brenda Janeth Díaz Flores, director of the Vallartense Institute of Culture, recalled the overwhelming response to the contest. “Each contestant tried to capture a feeling that defines them as Vallarta residents, an unforgettable chapter of their lives captured in their works,” she said.
In addition to the top three winners, several other participants received recognition for their outstanding contributions. These included Hector Wheel Huitron, Ramon Jimenez Ruisanchez, Rosario Flores Medina, Alfonso Anzaldo Gutierrez, Arturo Steps Munoz, Denny Ramirez, Juan Estrada, Carlos Fernando Ramos Ortega, Tania Beatriz Vizcaino, Francisco Campos Rayas, and Antonio S. Mireles.
The Photography Contest “What Defines Us as Vallartenses de Corazón?” not only celebrated individual talents but also highlighted the collective spirit and cultural richness of Puerto Vallarta, reinforcing a shared identity and community pride.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico — In a ceremony rich with emotion and community pride, the municipal government of Puerto Vallarta awarded the top photographers in the "What Defines Us as Vallartenses de Corazón?" contest. The event was held in the central patio of the Municipal Palace, commemorating Puerto Vallarta's double anniversary—106 years as a municipality and 56 years as a city.
