Cathnews Philippines announced today the winner of its Spirit of Lent Photo Contest.

The most popular photo was submitted by Corazon Henson-Socorro and entitled “It Aint Heavy”. It generated 4,825 votes from readers of UCAN’s year-old online newsletter cathnewsphil.com.

The picture is of a hooded penitent carrying a wooden cross.

“I took that picture when we went to Angeles, Pampanga in 2006. It was Good Friday,” said Socorro.

“What attracts me to that picture is his assistant. He is sacrificing, walking together with the man carrying the cross. But if you look, it is harder for him because he is a polio victim,” she said.

Socorro used “It Aint Heavy” as the title of her entry “because for me it’s like [the cross in the picture] is not that heavy compared to the sufferings of Jesus Christ.”

Socorro is senior assistant vice president for IT operations-application support at Banco de Oro.

“When I read the email congratulating me, of course I got excited. We’re so happy. I immediately prayed: Lord, thank you very much. I never expected. Thanks also for the support of friends and relatives,” she said.

She will receive a Canon Powershot SX130 IS camera donated by Canon Philippines.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Social Communications and Mass Media, will hand out the prize at the historic Villa San Miguel on May 12.

Veteran Church photographer Noli Yamsuan is donating his coffee table book Cuaresma for the “Photographer’s Choice” prize for the photo submitted by Vernica Capalungan entitled “Perform to Offer.”

Cuaresma is a collection of Yamsuan’s Holy Week photographs in his 28 years experience as Church photographer, including years of photographing the late Cardinal Jaime Sin in the country and during his trips overseas.

“‘Perform to Offer’ is a good photo that speaks well of the Holy Week,” said Yamsuan.
PM14150