UST holds on-the-spot painting competition

MANILA, Philippines -  Nearly 250 students from different schools participated in the quadricentennial edition of the 2011 Annual Inter-School On-The-Spot Painting Competition (OTSPC) at the Benavides Garden, University of Santo Tomas, Espana, Manila.

This year’s overall theme was “Frames of Philippine Art: Faith, History and Culture.” The competition had three categories, namely: Religious, Historical, and Filipiniana.

“With UST’s quadricentennial celebration, we hope the participants will be inspired by the rich cultural, religious and historical tradition around the campus,” says Fr. Florentino Bolo, O.P., UST secretary general. This year’s theme is particularly relevant to the country’s changing economic, political, cultural and religious landscape.

“This year marks the museum’s 140th anniversary and we continue to be challenged to find ways and means to make the annual OTSPC more relevant to today’s setting and young artists,” says Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P., director of the UST Museum.

Previous winners who are today’s established artists include Alfredo Esquillo, Ronald Ventura, Joe Barcena and Mark Salvatus, to name a few.

This year’s competition is giving its biggest prizes ever. The first prize is worth P40,000, second prize of P25,000 and a third prize of P20,000. There will be a total of nine winners. Asst. Prof. Anna Bautista, assistant director of the UST Museum says that this competition is an affirmation of the museum’s role not only as guardian of our nation’s heritage but also as imbue young artists with the passion and commitment to pursue their craft and talent while recognizing today’s fast changing environment and realities. This year’s panel of judges includes Eric Zerrudo, Romulo Galicano and Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo for the Filipiniana category. For the Religious category, the chairman of the panel is judges is Fr. Isidro Abaño, OP, together with Ramon Villegas and Willie Layug, while Regalado Trota Jose, Santiago Pilar and Larry Lim will judge the Historical category.

This year’s sponsors included Giordano, Pebeo and Yellow Cab Pizza. All the winning entries will be on exhibit at the UST Museum Main Gallery until Feb. 19. For information, call the 2011 UST OTSPC Secretariat at 781-1815 or 740-9718 and look for Red De Leon.