Jophel Botero Ybiosa of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines won the Grand Prize (Gold Award) in the photography category of the 2009 ASEAN-Korea Multimedia Competition. Ybiosa's  three winning entries entitled "The Guide" , "Festive Day" and " Reflection of a Culture" feature the Higantes Festival of Angono, Rizal and Aliwan Festival in Manila.

At the awarding ceremony held in Seoul on September 23, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Luis T. Cruz lauded Mr. Ybiosa for its creativity and excellence in photography and further encouraged the student to continue with his involvement in various ASEAN awareness programs.

University of the Philippines student MM Yu was also awarded the honor of "Special Guest Artist" in recognition of her outstanding entries.

The contest, which carries the theme "Cultural Diversity and Harmony," was divided in two categories namely, video/multimedia and photography, and was participated in by over 350 ASEAN and Korean university and graduate students. Winning entries and other selected works will be displayed at the Seoul Art Space from September 23 to October 10.

The ASEAN-Korea Multimedia Competition was organized by the ASEAN-Korea Center, in cooperation with the 10 ASEAN embassies in Seoul.

ASEAN-Korea Centre is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting economic and socio-cultural cooperation between ASEAN and Korea.

On the other hand, Ybiosa was also awarded as one of the Finalists in the Print Category of 2009 Bangkok International Print and Drawing Competition. The Awarding Ceremony was held last May 18, 2009 at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakkri Sirindhorn as the Guest of Honor.

Ybiosa is currently taking-up a course in Teacher Education in Polytechnic University of the Philippines. He actively represents his university in various competitions local and abroad.

Last June 26, 2009, he won the Championship title in the Interschool Extemporaneous Speech Contest held in Aldaba Hall of University of the Philippines, Diliman. He was also the Top 7 and Top 10 Winner 2009 Photoworld Cup-June Edition organized by Federation of Philippine Photographer's Foundation.

Ybiosa is also one of the Semi-finalists in the Oil Painting Category of this year's Metrobank Art and Design Excellence National Competition. On October 20, 2009, he is going to be awarded as one of the Finalists of 2009 Shell National Student Art Competition in Ayala Museum.