By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 15: The Kuching Hokkien Association will organise the 3rd Harmonious Sarawak photography competition 2025 in conjunction with the upcoming Seng-Ong Deity birthday grand celebration and procession, set to take place on March 21 at Hong San Si Temple in Wayang Street.
Association president Dato Richard Wee has called on photography enthusiasts to participate in the competition, which features two categories: Mobile Phone and Professional Camera.
“The event aims to capture the vibrant moments of the grand procession and cultural festivities.
“The competition provides an opportunity for photographers to document the rich cultural heritage and atmosphere of this grand celebration,” he told a press conference today.
A total of 216 teams will take part in the grand procession on March 21, while a series of cultural performances will be held from March 17 to 28. These include lion and dragon dances, drum performances, a worship ceremony, and charitable events.
One of the key highlights will be the arrival of the Mazu Empress at Hong San Si Temple, arriving by vessel from Muara Tebas.
The Lien Heng Wushu Association, the permanent main team of the procession, will conduct traditional rituals, such as the eye-dotting ceremony of the Hior-Huay-Liong (Incense Dragon), the Dragon-Head-Incense Ceremony, and the distribution of lucky gold-plated coins.
The competition offers cash prizes and certificates to winners in both categories. In the Professional Camera Category, champion will receive RM1,000 and a certificate, the runner-up will be awarded RM800 and a certificate, while the second runner-up will take home RM500 and a certificate. Additionally, 10 consolation prize winners will each receive RM100 and a certificate.
For the Mobile Phone Category, the champion will receive RM500 and a certificate, the runner-up will be awarded RM300 and a certificate, and the second runner-up will win RM200 and a certificate. Similarly, 10 consolation prize winners will each receive RM50 and a certificate.
Those interested can register through the QR code available in a video posted on the Kuching Hokkien Association’s Facebook page.
Alternatively, they may obtain the entry form and pay the registration fee at Hong San Si Temple’s cash counter or transfer the fee online to Kuching Hokkien Association Hong San Si (UOB – 184-303-7742).
The registration fees are RM20 for the Mobile Phone Category and RM30 for the Professional Camera Category.
Participants must email their entry form, proof of payment, and photo entries to kuchinghockien@gmail.com.
A contestant pass will be issued at the counter. Those who have paid the registration fee via online transfer can present their entry form and receipt on their mobile phones to temple staff to collect their pass.
Contestants wearing the pass will be granted special access to temporarily closed areas during specific periods of the Seng-Ong deity’s event to capture exclusive photographs.
Participants can start capturing images from March 18 to March 21 with the deadline for photo submission on April 1, 2025.
Winning photographs will be awarded cash prizes and certificates, with an award ceremony to be held at a later date.
For more information, visit the Kuching Hokkien Association’s Facebook page or WhatsApp Danny at 016-2211491. — DayakDaily
