The Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Awards 2025 is now open for entries
Are you passionate about food and storytelling?
The Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Awards has launched its call for entries for 2025, accepting submissions for both the DGF Food Writing Awards and the DGF Video Awards.
"For over 20 years, the Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Awards have celebrated the power of food storytelling. Now, we bring this tradition into the digital age—inviting video creators to capture the essence of Filipino cuisine through short films," the description on the website said.
This year's award is based on the theme "Minatamis." The award-giving body is inviting video creators to "explore the sweet side of Filipino food culture."
Those interested can submit a recipe, a documentary on local cooks and traditions, or a personal story of food and culture through video.
The DGF Awards are open to all Filipino video creators worldwide, and the entries can be submitted as an individual or as a group.
Joining is free; simply fill out the application form and submit a video via a published or cloud storage link. You can submit either published or unreleased videos that run anywhere from a minimum of 60 seconds to a maximum of five minutes. If published, they must have been released between Jan. 1, 2024, and Aug. 30, 2025.
It may also be in English, Filipino, Taglish, or any Philippine dialect, but if you opt for a native dialect, make sure the video includes subtitles.
Meanwhile, those who will be sending written work must submit an essay of at least 800 words. All references should be listed at the end of the output.
To submit, send the entry with a separate author's file that indicates your pen name, real name, title of the essay, address, and contact information to dgfawards@yahoo.com.ph.
Each contestant may submit up to two essays under different pen names.
Submissions close on Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. (Philippine Time). Other rules and regulations can be found here.
According to the website, video entries will be judged by a panel of culinary experts and media professionals on their content, creativity, relevance, research, and execution.
The winners for both categories will be awarded on Sept. 20 at the Rockwell Club.
Fernandez was a food critic and "the long-time dean of Philippine food columnists." She made significant contributions through her extensive writings on Philippine theater and Filipino cuisine.
The DGF Awards was established in 2002 by Chef Myrna Segismundo, who honored the late Fernandez by naming the awards after her. This initiative followed Fernandez's key insights into creating the judging criteria for a food writing competition.
