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)

Wide Angel | 3rd Place (Compact Class)

Stepping into an underwater photography competition for the very first time can feel intimidating, but for Eva Paner, the inaugural Puerto Galera Underwater Shootout was all about growth, discovery, and observation. Rather than focusing on trophies or podium spots, Eva entered the water with an open mind, eager to sharpen her skills, study how other photographers work, and immerse herself in the rich marine life of Puerto Galera.

Here is her story and reflections from her debut competition experience.

Stepping into the Arena: Motivation & Preparation

For Eva, deciding to enter her first shootout came down to curiosity and a desire to learn from her peers in the diving community.

“This was my first underwater photography competition. I decided to join because I wanted to experience what it was like to photograph in a competition environment and, more importantly, to learn from other underwater photographers. I was curious to see how other people approach their subjects, composition, and the underwater environment.”

When preparing for the event, Eva kept her approach simple, choosing flexibility over rigid planning.

“I mainly focused on making sure my equipment was ready and familiarizing myself with the dive sites and marine life in Puerto Galera. Since it was my first shootout, I didn’t want to over-plan or put too many limitations on myself. I wanted to stay open-minded and see what I could find and photograph during the competition.”

Heading into day one, she was driven by excitement rather than nerves.

“I was most excited about meeting other photographers and having the opportunity to dive and photograph alongside them. I didn’t really feel much pressure or have any major concerns. For me, the competition was more about the experience and the opportunity to learn something new.”

In the Element: Shooting Under Competition Conditions

Diving with a competition window changes how a photographer views the underwater environment, encouraging a deeper focus on technical details.

Diving with a competition window changes how a photographer views the underwater environment, encouraging a deeper focus on technical details.

“The biggest difference is that you pay much more attention to everything around you. During a normal dive, you might simply photograph something because you find it interesting. In a competition, you naturally start thinking more about the subject, composition, lighting, and how everything comes together in the frame.”

Even with the added focus, Eva maintained a relaxed, practical mindset underwater.

“Personally, I didn’t find it particularly stressful. I treated it more as an opportunity to practice, observe, and learn. I also enjoyed seeing how other photographers approached the same environment in completely different ways.”

Rather than struggling with a single elusive creature, Eva found that the true test was timing and framing.

“Puerto Galera has such a diverse range of dive sites, and each site has its own character and marine life. For me, the biggest challenge wasn’t necessarily photographing one particular creature. It was making the most of the limited time and recognizing the right moment when the subject, light, and composition all came together. That was actually one of the things I learned a lot about during the competition.”

The Power of Observation & Team Support

Great images rarely happen in isolation. Eva credits the dedicated team at Scandi Divers and the collaborative spirit among fellow shooters for making the dives smooth and insightful.

“The support from the team was very important especially to coach PJ. The dive guides and spotters helped us find and observe marine life, which made the whole shooting process much smoother. I also really enjoyed exchanging ideas with the other photographers. Watching how someone else approaches a subject or uses the environment and available light can give you a completely different perspective.”

When the dives wrapped up, reviewing her shots on the computer provided some of the most valuable lessons of the event.

“The selection process was actually one of the most interesting parts for me, and I learned quite a lot from it. Underwater, you might think you’ve taken a really good photo, but when you look at it again on a computer, you may notice things that could be improved: the composition, the position of the subject, the lighting, or simply the overall balance of the image. Selecting the final images was a way of looking back at my own shooting and understanding what I could do better next time.”

Guidance during the event also reinforced that photography is a medium for storytelling.

“There were quite a few small pieces of advice that stayed with me, especially around composition, choosing the right subject, and making better use of the underwater environment. It reminded me that underwater photography isn’t simply about finding a beautiful creature and pressing the shutter. It’s also about how you use the image to communicate what you saw and what you felt in that moment. That’s something I definitely want to keep working on.”

Looking Forward: A Stepping Stone to the Next Chapter

Waiting for the judging results was a peaceful process for Eva, as the true reward had already been gained underwater and during team discussions.

“Of course I was curious about the results, but I didn’t feel particularly nervous. For me, the result wasn’t the only measure of the experience. Being part of the competition, diving with other photographers, and learning so much along the way were already very valuable.”

Though the final scores didn’t yield the exact outcome she hoped for on paper, the event ignited a strong motivation to keep refining her craft.

“I think the biggest lesson was that underwater photography is really about constantly observing, experimenting, and adjusting. One competition isn’t going to suddenly make you a better photographer, but it can show you what you’re already doing well and, more importantly, where you still have room to improve. The results this time weren’t exactly what I had hoped for, but I actually came away feeling even more motivated. I realized there is still a lot for me to learn, and I genuinely believe I can do better next time.”

To any diver considering taking part in their first competition, Eva offers encouraging advice focused on perspective:

“If it’s your first competition, I would say don’t focus too much on the results. Treat it as an opportunity to learn and meet other photographers. Watch how they work, talk to them, learn from their ideas, and most importantly, enjoy the diving. At the end of the competition, you’ll take away much more than just a photograph or a result. You’ll have new knowledge, new experiences, and a better understanding of your own photography. For me, this competition was just the beginning. I’m already looking forward to the next one, and I believe I’ll be much better prepared for it.”

If you’re passionate about diving and underwater photography, make sure September 16–20, 2026 is marked on your calendar. The inaugural Puerto Galera Underwater Shootout is set to become one of the most exciting underwater photography competitions in the Philippines, bringing together photographers from around the world to showcase their creativity in one of Asia’s premier dive destinations.

Renowned for its extraordinary marine biodiversity, colorful coral reefs, and world-famous macro diving, Puerto Galera is the perfect location for photographers of every skill level. Whether you enjoy photographing tiny nudibranchs, elusive frogfish, sea turtles, vibrant reef
fish, or spectacular wide-angle reef scenes, you’ll find endless inspiration beneath the surface

To give competitors the best possible start, Scandi Divers Resort is offering special pre-competition accommodation and dive packages. Arrive a few days before the event and spend time diving with our inhouse photo pro’s while fine-tuning your camera settings and perfecting your techniques. Knowing the dive sites, understanding the lighting conditions, and spotting the best marine life before the competition begins could give you a real advantage

Scandi Divers Resort is one of Puerto Galera’s leading dive resorts, offering comfortable accommodation, professional dive services, photographer-friendly facilities, and easy access to many of the area’s most celebrated dive sites. Whether you’re travelling with a compact camera, mirrorless system, or professional DSLR setup, the experienced team will help ensure you spend more time creating unforgettable images and less time worrying about logistics.

The Puerto Galera Underwater Shootout isn’t just about winning prizes—it’s about celebrating underwater photography, marine conservation, and the global diving community. Throughout the event, participants will have the opportunity to meet fellow photographers, exchange ideas, learn new techniques, and experience the warm hospitality that has made Puerto Galera one of the world’s favourite diving destinations.

The event is proudly supported by an outstanding group of sponsors, including Kraken Sports, whose innovative underwater photography accessories have become a favourite among photographers worldwide. Their support, alongside other industry partners, helps make this exciting new competition possible while contributing to an impressive prize pool worth more than USD $40,000. Competitors will have the chance to win underwater photography equipment, dive gear, resort stays, and other exciting awards, making the Shootout one of the most rewarding new underwater photography events in Southeast Asia.

Whether you’re an experienced competitor or entering your first underwater photo contest, the
Puerto Galera Underwater Shootout offers the perfect combination of adventure, learning, and
friendly competition. Add a few extra days at Scandi Divers Resort to practice, discover why
Puerto Galera is consistently ranked among the best diving destinations in the Philippines.
Spaces are filling up quickly, so book your accommodation, prepare your camera