Interpreting life’s ‘highlights’
“SAGUT kada Nanang ken Tatang” (watercolor) by Florence S. Eduarte of University of Northern Philippines
THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER Dictionary defines “art as the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.” But for the winners of this year’s 48th Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC), art was also a channel for expressing their feelings and ideas in ways that their audiences could see themselves in.
This year’s NSAC, with the theme “Highlights,” aimed to bring out the creativity of student-artists in interpreting life stories.
Ed Brendon R. Enclona of Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) bagged the grand prize in the oil/acrylic category with “Phantoming for Them.”
Second prize went to Emerson S. Rabbon of University of Northern Philippines (UNP) and third prize to Kurt Morris P. Rojas of University of Mindanao (UM).
Enclona told the Inquirer that his work represented the people and things around the person who helped him achieve his goals.
He said he discovered the unique subtractive style, a technique that involves removing material to create an artwork, after an emotional breakdown and the pressure of meeting school deadlines.
“SA AKING Pagtatapos” (sculpture) by Bayani Jamesson I. Galera of the University of the East
“I saw a pair of scissors and proceeded to scratch my work [before] submitting it to our professor. Ironically, he appreciated what I did and encouraged me to continue the process,” Enclona said.
UNP’s Florence S. Eduarte topped the watercolor category. Second placer was Francis Eugene E. Andrade of Bulacan State University. In third place was TUP’s Freddie A. Vicente.
Eduarte’s “Sagut kada Nanang ken Tatang (Homage to Mother and Father)” is a personal piece, depicting someone offering his success to his parents.
Eduarte, who is an orphan unlike his subject, said life’s highlight for him would be having someone to whom he could offer his achievements.
“Sa Aking Pagtatapos” by Bayani Jamesson I. Galera of University of the East topped the sculpture category. Second was Mark Anthony P. Laza of Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology and third was Eloisa B. Sanson of Philippine Women’s College of Davao.
“PHANTOMING for Them” (oil/acrylic) by Ed Brendon R. Enclona of Technological University of the Philippines
Galera said the 29 broken armchairs and one perfect red chair on top of his sculpture represented 30 years of education, from preparatory to doctorate degree.
During that length of time, a student faces different challenges every year, he said, and they could be in the learning process, family problems or financial matters. The highlight of that period is graduation, when a person has overcome the hardships and reached the peak.
“For me, life’s highlight, not just for students but especially for parents, is to see children graduate from [higher education]. That’s why it is the title of my work,” Galera said.
The three major awards in the digital fine arts category went to TUP. First place was Jemima Joy D. Pelayo, “Let the Colors of My Heart Fill Me”; second was Analyn M. Camantigue; and third was Jerome C. Villato.
Pelayo said her work symbolized her life experiences, including happy memories, challenges and rejections that pushed her to improve her work and strive harder. She said her work was also dedicated to all students and carried the message: “Do not be afraid, follow what your heart says and work for what you really want.”
“Let the Colors of My Heart Fill Me” (digital fine arts) by Jemima Joy D. Pelayo of Technological University of the Philippines
There was no first prize winner in the digital short film category, which was judged based on unique story line and artistry in visual effects.
Second prize winners were Paulo Eric C. Garinganao of La Consolacion College in Bacolod City and Jannel Allan B. Mauro of College of Divine Wisdom. Third was UM’s Vyankka Pauline R. Balasabas.
All the winners received cash prizes and plaques of recognition from Shell, which said it received this year a total of 1,425 entries from 49 private and public universities and colleges all over the country across all categories.
This year’s judges were Lito Carating, Raul Lebajo and Soler Santos (oil and acrylic); Igan D’Bayan, Renato Habulan and Nemi Miranda (watercolor);
Salvador Alonday, Michael Cacnio and Leeroy New (sculpture); Ross Capili, Dopy Doplon and Jose Tence Ruiz (digital fine arts); and Pablo Biglang-awa, John Red and Raymond Red (digital short film).
The 48-year-old NSAC is the country’s longest-running art competition for students. Previous winners included Juvenal Sanso, Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz and Jose Joya.
