Metrobank Card honors the nation's top young artists

In fostering the continued development and appreciation of Philippine art and design, the recently concluded Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) for 2008 once again recognized some of the most talented young artists in the country.

Held at Le Pavilion, the annual awards event celebrated Metrobank Foundation’s art and design programs that promote a culture of excellence towards holistic human social development aligned with the advocacy of the program.

“Metrobank Foundation believes that the arts is in a unique and challenging position to create the slightest explosive expression that can change, shape or influence a society’s thought and attitude,” says Metrobank Foundation’s president Chito Sobrepeña in his welcome remarks. “Art has the power to connect a society’s intellectual and emotional past, present and future. Thus its stake at progress is as important as any other element that we are faced with every day.”

In line with the competition’s objective of assisting young artists and designers, architects and interior designers by launching them to national prominence, awards were handed out in painting, sculpture and interior design.

Among this year’s grand prize winners for painting were PUP architectural student Ronald Jeresano for an oil-based medium on canvas work called “I’m Still Hoping” while Dennis Atienza, a Product Design graduate at the Technological Institute of the Philppines bagged second prize honors with “Departed Deported.” John Paul Antido, a member of the art group Sangviaje who took some art courses in UP was the third prize winner with “Mapping The Roots.” 

For the interior design category, the grand prize went to UP interior design major April Rose Frigillana for her impressive work using energy-efficient lighting and low-consumption household appliances called “Nature’s Links” while Cebuano Adrian Del Monte won special prize honors with his eco-friendly masterpiece called “Casita.”

Launched in 2004, the Metrobank Foundation Prize for Achievement in Sculpture award has increasingly brought attention and recognition to worthy practitioners of sculpture. This year’s winner, Sculptor Salvador Jose Alonday has a body of sculptural works aspires not only to a vision aesthetic delectation but also to the transformation of material into an agitation of the human spirit.

This year’s MADE awards was a well-attended affair was graced by no less than Vice President Noli De Castro to view the subsequent exhibit as well guests of honor Ambassador of Austria H. E. Herbert Jeffrey Jaeger and Tarlac Representative Monica Prieto-Teodoro, Federal Land president Alfred Ty, UAP secretary general architect Gil Evasco, PIID president architect Arlen De Guzman and Bluprint editor in chief and STAR columnist Paulo Alcazaren.

The Metrobank Group was also in full force with Metrobank chairman Antonio S. Abacan Jr., Metrobank president Arthur Ty and Metrobank Card Corporation president Tony Maughan.