Philippine Art Awards regional winners at National Museum

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Art Awards, in anticipation of its much awaited National Awarding on July 16, has collectively mounted the 40 winning artworks from last year’s regional competition in an on-going exhibit entitled “On Track” at the fourth floor, North Wing Gallery of the National Museum in Manila.

Dr. Patrick Flores, in his exhibit introductory essay, said, “The past year was important for the Philippine Art Awards. Apart from pursuing its program of a national competition for the visual arts, with four regional platforms leading to an omnibus exhibition at the National Museum, it widened its vision in nurturing artists and the possibilities for their art.”

The 2009 regional exhibits for Visayas winners at the Museo Sugbu, the provincial museum of Cebu Province, the exhibit of Mindanao winners at the provincial capitol building of Misamis Oriental and the joint exhibit of Metro Manila and Luzon winners at the National Museum have elicited excitement and awe at the range of artistic themes and executions the contestants have explored. “The Awards, toward this end, broadened the media for the competition to include techniques beyond wall-bound expectations and anticipate sculptural, installative, or hypermediated expression,” Flores added. 

Dr. Flores’ observation as an expert in Philippine contemporary art, and member of the PAA Panel of Judges may be considered an affirmation that PAA has become a consistently preeminent art competition and is fulfilling its mandate to the artists and the art community in general.

The 40 featured artists who have earlier received P40,000 each last year as regional winners and who will be competing this year for the National Finals are the following:

PAA Mindanao: Soliman Poonon, Oscar Floirendo, Michael Bacol, Jericho Vamenta, Nicolas Aca, Marcelino Necosia Jr., Michael Bauzon, Edgar Carreon, Bryan Cabrera and Rodney Yap.

PAA Visayas: Lucilo Sagayno, Eliseo Libo-on, Jr., John Paul Castillo, Frank Alexi Nobleza, Marvin Chito Natural, Nomar Miano, JZY Tilos, Cezar Arro, Edmar Colmo and Jovito Hecita, Jr.

PAA Metro Manila: Jaime Jesus Pacena, Joey Cobcobo, Froilan Calayag, Camille de la Rosa, Thomas Daquioag, Arnel Brillantes, Raffy Napay, Dan Raralio, Dexter Sy and Maximino Balatbat.

PAA Luzon: Rodelio Cerda, Teodorico Cumagon, Cris Villanueva, Yuan Moro Ocampo, Arturo Sanchez, Jr., Augusto Elopre, Vincent Paul Padilla, Reynaldo Samson Jr., Isidro Diaz Santos and Rommel Sampana.

The grand prize winner in the National Competition will receive P350,000; P120,000 each for the five Juror’s Choice Award of Excellence winners; and P80,000 each for the two Juror’s Choice Award of Merit winners. In addition, the winning works remain the property of the artist and an all expense-paid trip to the World Expo and Art Fair in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China also forms part of the prize pool for all national winners.