Painting the picture of OFWs

MANILA, Philippines – Data from the National Statistics Office showed that as of September 2007, there were about 1.75 million Filipinos working abroad. Moreover, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reported that the number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deployed in 2008 was 30 percent higher than 2007, while the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) has said that 1.3 million Filipinos left the country last year in search of greener pastures abroad.

The Filipino diaspora, or the migration of Filipinos to different countries across the globe, continues to be one of the most pressing issues today. Many Filipinos risk having a stable job and endure the pain of living away from their loved ones in exchange of a better life, which they have seen elusive back home.

With the figures continuously rising, it is not surprising to see that the magnitude of this issue affects many Filipinos in the country. Even among artists, the Filipino diaspora has been a topic of concern, and this is reflected in the winning entries of last year’s Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) Competition in Painting.

Second-prize winner Dennis Atienza’s “Departed Deported” is distinguished for its simplicity – a basic balikbayan box sealed with masking tape sitting in the middle of an unknown place. But what lies beneath the painting’s minimalism is a painful undertone emphasized by the address label and the inscription “In Loving Memory.” artist talks about the tragic plight of OFWs, which is not new to Atienza because of his experiences as a former OFW in the Middle East.

Aside from the balikbayan box, another icon of Filipino migration is the postage stamp, which is used by John Paul Antido in his “Mapping the Roots,” also from the oil-based medium on canvas category. His winning entry, which bagged the third prize, is similar to a map with the borders of a stamp, and shows Filipinos dispersed in different areas of the map, pointing to different directions. This reflects the various directions Filipinos have taken not just geographically, but also in their lives.

In 2007, MADE adopted the theme “Your Environment Shapes You” for its painting, sculpture, architecture and interior design competitions, because the Foundation believes that human beings are highly connected to their environment and that they are greatly influenced by their immediate surroundings. More than the aesthetic terms, the environment guides the direction of the people, and shapes the evolution of humanity. Thus, MADE competitions in various fields of the arts are more than just a celebration of talent, they are also a reflection of Filipino culture mirrored in the works of young artists.

“The MADE Competition is a celebration of Filipino artists’ ingenuity and at the same time, it is also a vehicle for young artists, architects and interior designers to showcase their masterpieces,” Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña said. “It is Metrobank Foundation’s way of promoting and supporting Filipino art and culture.”

MADE is an annual competition which aims to recognize budding artists in the fields of painting, sculpture, architecture and interior design, as well as to launch and enhance their careers. Originally known as the Metrobank Annual Painting Competition which started in 1984 and was renamed Young Painters Annual in 1996, MADE lists the names of now established up-and-coming artists such as Bobby Feleo, Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, Duddley Diaz, Dan Raralio, Noéll El Farrol, Alfred Esquillo, and Gabby Barredo among its roster of winners.

The Metrobank Foundation, in partnership with Metrobank Card Corporation, Federaland, United Architects of the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Interior Designers, Bluprint and Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines, has been supporting and advocating the development of the arts for 25 years.

Over the last 30 years, the Metrobank Foundation has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs, notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and College Scholarship Program. 

The Foundation also has a grants program that assists NGOs and government in the fields of education, healthcare, and the arts.