MANILA, Philippines — The national finals to the 17th Philippine Art Awards (PAA) is heating up after 20 more winners in the regional competition, this time representing entries from Metro Manila and Luzon, were chosen.
The PAA is the pre-eminent visual art competition in the country. It is the only two-tiered competition with a regional component covering Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and has a national finals, where the regional winners compete for the top prizes.
It is also the only competition with a travel opportunity in its prize package to provide a platform for cross-cultural exposure. This way, the winning artists get a chance to see the artistic movements outside of the Philippines.
In simple ceremonies held at the Museum of the Filipino People, Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Manila, the winners of the 2011 Luzon Art Awards were announced, as follows:
Rodrigo R. Clapano of Bacoor Cavite for his oil on canvas work entitled “Cariton”;
Joseph T. De Juras for his mixed media work entitled “Signa Temporum” (Signs of the Times); Manuel Lotsu Q. Manes for his oil on canvas work entitled “Philippine Deep”;
Ricky V. Ambagan for his mixed media work entitiled “Nang Yumanig ang Mundo”;
John Paul Antido for his oil on canvas work entitled, “Behind Paradise Island”; Arman Jay S. Arago for his acrylic on canvas work entitled “The Cure”; Arturo Sanchez Jr. for his mixed media work entitled “Between Real-Time Connection”; Salvador Corpuz Sierra for his acrylic on canvas work entitled “Steal-Life”; Alexander Marcaida Roxas for his oil on canvas work entitled “14 Missed Calls”; Bonifacio G. De Guzman Jr. for his oil, acrylic and graphite on canvas work entitled “Hagdan-Hagdang Pangarap.”
The winners of the 2011 Metro Manila Art Awards were Dexter Sy of Quezon City for his mixed media work entitled work “Souvenir”; Ronald J. Hilario of Marikina City for his sculpture entitled “Portrait of a Filipino as a Conceptual Artist”; Dennis T. Atienza of Las Pinas City for his oil on canvas work entitled “Cross Fire”; from Pasig City, Emmanuel “Louie Talents” Ano-os Jr. for his work entitled “Burn Out 4”; Raffy T. Napay of Caloocan City for his thread on canvas work entitled “Ang Mananahi ng Buhay at ang Makinang na Makina”; Mark Andy R. Garcia of Novaliches Quezon City for his oil on canvas painting entitled “The Great Farewell”; from Paranaque City, Melvin B. Culaba for his oil on canvas work entitled “Disclaimer”; from Malabon, Roderick Cruz for his mixed media work entitled “Raw”; from the Technological University of the Philippines, Chester L. Calayag for his oil on canvas work entitled “Where Everything Is Broken”; from Bacood Sta. Mesa Manila, Florence Cinco for his mixed media work entitled “I am Who I am…”
The 20 winners get P40,000 each as cash prize, and will further compete against their counterpart winners from Mindanao and Visayas in the 2012 PAA National Finals where they will vie for the Grand Prize of P350,000; and seven Jurors Choice Excellence of P120,000, and Merit of P80,000 prize pool.
The national winners will also receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Hongkong Art Fair, one of the most dynamic and important art markets in Asia. One of the unique features of the PAA competition is that artists get to keep their winning works.
PMFTC Inc. President Chris Nelson said the Philippine Art Awards is very fortunate to have the support of the various art organizations, art community and local government leaders in the regions who believe that it does not only enliven the visual art community, but more importantly contributes to the discovery of emerging or sometimes hidden talents of the Filipino artists.
“For 15 years, PMFTC has been deeply involved in all community where it does its businesses. It has been our commitment to make a difference in the lives of the people where we operate. As part of that, we are very pleased to announce that our heart is in the Philippine art and culture. And that’s why for years, we strive to continuously improve our PAA. We improve the infrastructure in terms of excellence and resources from which credibility is founded,” Nelson said.
During the awarding ceremony, PMFTC Inc. Corporate Affairs Director Bayen Elero thanked the people and organizations who have supported the Philippine Art Awards through the years, among them, National Artist Napoleon V. Abueva for designing the official Art Awards trophy which was launched in the national finals last year.
“Through the years, Philippine Art Awards has consistently achieved a great degree of respect and recognition because of the diligent support of our national as well as regional partners throughout the country,” Elero said.
