Macro | 2nd Place (Compact Class)
Entering a competition with high expectations can be daunting, but for Van Daniel Magsino, affectionately known as “Van the Man“, pushing the limits was the entire point. Guided by sheer passion and the support of his friends, family, and team, Van dive-started his journey into the Puerto Galera Underwater Shootout. What followed was a masterclass in patience, teamwork, and sharp focus, culminating in an impressive four-award sweep across his categories.
Here is the story behind his triumph, in his own words.
Fueling the Flame: Finding Motivation & Setting the Goal
For Van, competing was never about just taking a casual dive. It was about honoring his true calling and making those closest to him proud.
“My passion is my ultimate inspiration. I have always wanted to be an underwater photographer, so entering this competition felt like a natural step forward. Beyond that, the people around me, my friends and family, kept me going. Seeing them recognize and support my passion drove me to give it my all so I could make them proud.”
When it came to his mindset at the start line, Van was crystal clear about his intentions.
“I joined to compete, plain and simple, not just to enjoy. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed every single dive because of our team’s great chemistry, but I was shooting to win. I entered with a competitive mindset.”
Wide Angle 2nd Place (Compact Class)
The Strategy & The Climax: Creating Beauty Under Pressure
Rather than limiting himself to a single subject, Van tackled every category required by the event. For him, success had less to do with finding a rare critter and everything to do with how a photographer brings a scene to life.
“I focused on all categories as required. My goal was to secure a strong image for every single one. Honestly, it is not really about the subject itself. It is about how you make that subject look beautiful.”
That approach paid off dramatically on the final day of the shootout, when everything clicked into place beneath the surface.
“On the last day, I had a dive where I managed to capture almost every shot I had envisioned for each subject. Our coach, PJ Aristorenas, told me I got lucky on that final day, but I was just so happy because I knew inside that if I hit those shots, I would be on the podium. While shooting underwater, I kept telling myself: ‘If you land this exact shot, you are getting an award.’ I don’t mean that arrogantly, it was just the focused mindset I held. I knew it would come, and I made it happen. Ultimately, it was not just luck. It came down to passion, patience, and skill.”
Nudibranch 3rd Place (Compact Class)
Unsung Heroes: The Power of Teamwork and Trust
Behind every great underwater image is a dedicated support team. Van credits the dive team and spotters at Scandi Divers for being instrumental to his victory.
“Our dive guides and spotters were a massive help, especially when it came to assisting with lighting setups and snoots. They put in so much effort to help us capture the exact shots we wanted, and their patience with us was unbelievable. They are truly the key to our victory. Without them, we could not have achieved these images.”
When the dives ended and it was time to submit final portfolios, the physical and mental toll set in. Selecting the winning shots became a true team effort.
“I actually didn’t choose the final images by myself. With our coach, PJ, we had open discussions on picture selection based on mutual trust. By the end, my mind was exhausted, I was stressed, and my eyes were strained from staring at screens. In the end, it was Coach PJ’s wife who selected my final submissions. It really came down to teamwork. Having someone with fresh eyes look at the images makes all the
difference, though of course, we still had our input on which shots we preferred.”
The Moment of Truth: Four Awards and the Road Ahead
When the awards ceremony arrived, hearing his name called once was an honor, but hearing it called four separate times was unforgettable.
“When my name was called four times, only one thought ran through my mind: ‘I did it. I made the people around me happy.’ That was it. I was also so glad to make my coach proud.”
While bringing home four awards was a massive triumph, Van is already looking toward his next challenge with a humbled, determined perspective.
“I am super happy to return home with so many awards, but it definitely brings a lot of pressure! People will naturally expect more during the next shootout. I am taking that pressure and using it as motivation to work even harder next time.”
Words of Wisdom for Future Competitors
Reflecting on his journey, Van shares simple yet powerful advice for any photographer thinking about taking the leap into an underwater competition:
“The biggest lesson I learned is to remain patient at all times. Expand your patience as much as you can. Know your camera and your skills inside and out, and trust yourself at every step. Above all, love what you do. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. Once you cross that finish line and complete the competition, you have already won. A trophy doesn’t define your victory. If you never try, you will never know what it feels like to win. Try and try until you succeed. Train hard, pack plenty of patience, and love the craft.”
Marine Behavior 3rd Place (Compact Class)