Canon Photomarathon 2026 Marks Milestone Return, Honors Powerful Visual Storytelling in Winning Shot

 

Canon Photomarathon 2026

When the theme "Feel It" was announced at Canon Photomarathon 2026, Von Cedrick Cunanan thought of two things: the heat and the working class. The civil engineer—one of over 1,200 participants in Canon's full-day photography and video competition—made his way to a jeepney terminal where he found his subject: a jeepney driver resting inside his vehicle in the midday heat.

"I wanted to capture what he's feeling," Cunanan said. "The heat, the tiredness, the gas prices. I wanted the judges to feel something when they saw it."

The photograph won Cunanan as the Grand Champion for the Canon Photomarathon 2026, held on April 18, 2026, at the BGC Amphitheater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

"I saw how these types of photos can open people's eyes to what's happening around them. I'll keep doing what I'm doing," he said.

Cunanan first picked up photography as a kid, taking family photos on film cameras and plastic point-and-shoot devices. He received his first proper camera as a gift from his mother when he entered college in 2010, shooting casually before stepping away entirely around 2018. In 2025, eager to return to street photography, he researched mirrorless full-frame cameras and settled on a Canon EOS RP, drawn to its compact size, intuitive controls, and Canon’s color science.

When he came across a countdown post for the Photomarathon, he registered on the spot. "It was my first time ever to do a photomarathon, or any kind of photowalk, in fact. I wanted a chance to experience an event like this," he shared.

For his winning entry, Cunanan went on to take home a Canon EOS R6 III with RF24-105mm IS STM lens—a significant upgrade from the Canon EOS RP he was using.

Canon Photomarathon 2026 marked the return of the iconic photography competition after a seven-year hiatus, gathering creators, hobbyists, and media for a full-day celebration of photography, video, and visual storytelling. Aside from the Open Photo and Canon-exclusive Main Photo categories, this year's edition introduced a Video Category for the first time, expanding the competition beyond still images. It also opened participation to all digital camera users alongside dedicated Media and Employee categories.

The event transformed the BGC Amphitheater into a creative hub. The Canon Creator Park drew crowds with immersive setups featuring pet photography, cosplay, and bridal portrait sessions led by Canon ambassadors and professionals. On the main stage, participants joined workshops on wildlife photography with Marie Lozano and Aaron Gekowski, content creation with Gab Altonaga, Edwin Martinez on cityscape, and Ian Celis and Paolo Ruiz for EOS C50. They also got hands-on with Canon's latest imaging technologies and turned their digital captures into tangible keepsakes at on-site instant printing stations with MegaTank Printers.

"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."

Canon Photomarathon 2026 is part of Canon's broader effort to nurture a growing creator community in the Philippines, providing platforms where photographers and videographers of all levels can connect, learn, and showcase their work. Canon Marketing Philippines will feature winning entries and event highlights across its official channels in the coming weeks. For more information, visit https://ph.canon or download the Canon PH Delightful app.