[TheStoriesOfTop7] SYNERGY - Matthew Israel Manes / Philippines - IAPLC 2021

23 May 2024

2725

The first Bronze Prize went to an aquascape with impressive exposed layered rock surfaces. By arranging materials to make them look like a valley with rock cliffs rising to the left and right, creating the central space and placing stones of the same shape with different sizes, a sense of perspective is well-expressed. In the case of a geological expression just like this aquascape, it is hard to combine aquatic plants. However, by nicely planting Bucephalandra on the rock cliffs, it was carefully crafted not to give just an impression of the rock cliffs. The red stem plants that can be seen a little in the central space, are questionable in terms of maintaining the landscape, but it is effectively used as an expression of a distant view.

[TheStoriesOfTop7] SYNERGY - Matthew Israel Manes / Philippines - IAPLC 2021

"SYNERGY" by Mr. Matthew Israel Manes from the Philippines won the Bronze Prize and is ranked No.5 in the world rankings, scoring a total of 1,206 points. 5 out of 10 judges selected this work as one of their individual top 10 works. It can be said that this work is also a well-finished layout by skillfully incorporating great features of top-winning works in the contest. The high-ranking works in recent contests have the following points in common. Keeping the aquarium frame out of sight by hiding the seams at the back of aquarium tanks and side lines with the water surface with composition materials. Creating depth by making a space from the foreground to background. Making a multi-layered layout from the foreground to background. Giving detail expressions to the foreground with pebbles and foreground plants. Create a natural feeling by having hanging epiphytes such as Micranthemum sp. 'Monte Carlo', mosses and ferns. Adding a colorful touch and expressing a distant view with stem plants in the background. Creating a flow of water in an aquascape and improving the work value by having one kind of fish swim in a group. If creating a layout while keeping these points in mind and shooting with a wide-angle lens, the work can be well-finished. Those are standard techniques that have been created in the history of IAPLC. However, in order for a creator to practice those techniques, create a high-level work and achieve a top prize, it is necessary to have original ideas. It seems that this creator's unique stone composition shows how he devised a layout concept after eagerly researching the layout techniques. The way stem plants are used as a distant view expression, is stunning, and it is one of the expressions unique to a photography contest.

IAPLC 2021 World Ranking Announcement - World Ranking 0005 - Bronze Prize

SYNERGY

Author: Matthew Israel Manes / Philippines

Aquarium Size/W120 × D45 × H45(cm)

Aquatic Plants

Micranthemum sp. "Monte Carlo"

Hemianthus callitrichoides

Schismatoglottis prietoi

Glossostigma elatinoides

Bucephalandra sp. "Mini Phantom"

Bucephalandra sp.

Bucephalandra sp. "Angel Tears"

Marsilea crenata

Vesicularia montagnei

Riccardia chamedryfolia

Hydrocotyle tripartita mini

Rotala rotundifolia "Colorata"

Hemianthus micranthemoides

Ludwigia arcuata

Fish & Invertebrates

Hemigrammus bleheri var.

Otocinclus sp.

Neocaridina sp

Nalentina natalensis

AWARDS

World Ranking 0005 Bronze Prize IAPLC 2021

Best of Show & 1st place AGA 2021 - Aquatic Garden, 220 ~ 320L

Comments

The day of the live announcement was nerve-wracking, so I stayed in my fish room to watch it alone. And during the announcement of the rankings, 100-28, I kept praying that my name would not be called. After the rank 27, I told myself that I would fall in top 7, so I prayed this time "please call my name" but they didn't call me. That time I was already losing hope, at the same time still trying to be optimistic - it was mixed emotions. So when my name was announced as top 5, I shouted, "I won" and jumped with joy! I was ecstatic! I'm just tremendously grateful this year for being the 5th place. I've been waiting to win the IAPLC for the longest time now and showcase my talent, especially to my fellow Filipino aquascapers. There hasn't been a Filipino in the history of IAPLC's top 10. This is the first time, and I know this will be a great opportunity to inspire my fellow Filipino aquascapers to be more creative, competitive, and hungry to learn more. On the other hand, to motivate those who have never joined the IAPLC, I do believe that next year you can expect more participants from the Philippines. Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to the judges and ADA for appreciating my work. Next year, I need to be more prepared because I know aquascaping is evolving fast based on my observation in the last 5 years. There are many great aquascapers around the world, and it's great to share the same passion in this hobby (and work)!

Comment of Mr André Longarco

Awesome job but unfortunately the main proposal was already seen in another jobs in the past. Very good execution with healthy plants and good perspective. The strength lines of the two main rocks are too converged downward which gives a unstable sensation. Both of these rocks looks like they are falling. Maybe if the texture of the rocks was more straight it would give us a better sensation of stability. Great details and choice of fishes!!! But awesome job anyway that does not go unnoticed by anyone... Great contender for the title! My sincere congratulations!!

Comment of Mr Dave Chow

Very impactful hardscape treatment the plant selection and condition just match with the design perfectly just perfect!

Comment of Mr Marvin Lo

What a dynamic and impressive tank! The selection and placement of plants is excellent. The way the hardscape leans in creates tension which draws the attention into the tank even more.

Excellent work!

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