Sinulog: Where Faith Meets Fiesta

• Prize
  Curator Selection
• Photographer
  France Leclerc, United States
• Category
  Asia
• Website
  http://www.franceleclerc.com
• Instagram
  franceleclerc

The Sinulog Festival is one of the most significant religious celebrations in the Philippines. It honors the revered Santo Niño de Cebu. The festival features three processions, during which thousands of devotees walk through the streets, praying and carrying their Santo Niño statues in hopes of receiving a blessing. Throughout these days, masses at the Basilica are held continuously. The festivities culminate in the Grand Street Parade. The parade showcases dazzling dance performances from groups representing various regions across the Philippines, sending massive crowds into a joyful frenzy.

France Leclerc, born in Quebec, Canada, is an independent photographer who currently lives in Chicago. Her early career was in academia, but she decided to make a change to pursue her true passion for photography. The most prominent themes of her work are culture (especially disappearing ones), gender, and social inequality. She likes to describe her work as “life photography”, though her approach is a mix between documentary and street photography.

Awards 2023 LensCulture Photography Festival, Third Place
2022 Miami Street Photography Festival, Third Place
2021 PX3 Gold Medal Street Photography Category
2021 PX3 Bronze Medal Press Category
2021 PX3 State of the World, Shortlisted
2021 Portrait of Humanity, Finalist
2021 IPA Award People and Lifestyle, Honorable Mention
2021 Siena International Photo Award, Journeys, and Adventure, Honorable Mention