PAGCOR photo contest finalist draws AI suspicions over ‘impossible’ shadows

Netizens called on the organizers to verify the photo using its original file, metadata, or surrounding image sequence.

A photograph that made it to the grand finals of the PAGCOR Photography Contest 2026 is drawing scrutiny online after social media users questioned whether the image was generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence.

The photograph, titled “Kadang-kadang,” is among the 16 grand finalists in the Mobile Category of the competition. According to PAGCOR’s post, the image was taken in Tagum City, Davao del Norte and is competing under this year’s theme, “Kids@Play.”

The striking image shows children walking on bamboo stilts against a dramatic golden sunset. But instead of simply admiring the photograph, several commenters began examining details they said appeared unusual—particularly the shadows on the ground.

“Lupit nung shadow sa lupa, paano nagkaiba ng direction iisa source of light?” one commenter wrote, questioning how the shadows appeared to fall in different directions despite the prominent sun in the background.

Another joked, “PAHAMAK YUNG SHADOW,” while others pointed to the similar appearance of some of the children and what they described as unnatural-looking textures.

Several commenters went further and openly alleged that the photograph was AI-generated. One claimed an AI image detector returned a “93% fake” result, while another urged PAGCOR to run the entry through an AI detector.

However, such claims do not establish that the photograph is AI-generated. Online AI-image detectors are known to produce false positives and cannot, on their own, conclusively determine whether an image was created using generative AI. Visual anomalies can likewise result from image processing, computational photography, HDR, compression, perspective and other factors.

The controversy nevertheless raises a potentially serious question for a photography competition: how organizers verify the authenticity of entries at a time when AI-generated photographs are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from camera-captured images.

Some commenters called on the organizers to examine the original file or ask the photographer to provide supporting material such as metadata or a sequence of photographs taken before and after the submitted frame.

“Show the series shots to prove,” one commenter said.

Others questioned how the image made it through the preliminary screening and into the final 16.

PAGCOR introduced the Mobile Category finalists on Facebook by asking the public, “Which ones have your vote?” It said the photographs celebrate moments of “laughter and friendship to adventure and carefree play” and demonstrate how memorable scenes can be captured using a mobile phone.

The agency said the grand winners will be announced on September 15.

As of the screenshots reviewed, PAGCOR had not publicly addressed the AI allegations surrounding “Kadang-kadang.”

Until the organizers or photographer provide the original image files or other verifiable evidence, the online suspicions remain just that—suspicions, not proof that the contest entry was created using AI.