ArtPetron draws overwhelming response

Oil industry leader Petron Corporation recently announced this year’s winners of ArtPetron, a nationwide student art competition which draws the best and brightest of the country’s young artists, during its awards night and exhibit launch held at the Petron Megaplaza in Makati City.

Carrying the theme, "Alay sa Pistang Pilipino," art students were asked to submit entries depicting the iconic imagery of a Filipino fiesta – the highest form of community expression and definitive mark of Filipino culture – in either the photography, watercolor, or oil painting categories.

As with the past ArtPetron competitions, the response of the Filipino youth was overwhelming, 480 entries for the photography division, 150 watercolor works, and 350 oil paintings – all beautifully portraying the true spirit of the Filipino fiesta.

"The entries in ArtPetron get better every year," shares Napoleon Abueva, a national Artist and ArtPetron’s chairman of the board of judges. "There is indeed a bright future for Philippine art considering that these young artists have put much effort in their works. In fact, the judges had a hard time choosing the winners."

Abueva says visual impact, originality, craftsmanship, execution, and fidelity to this year’s theme were the criteria employed by the judges for the entries in painting.

In the oil painting category, Christian Erick R. Villaruz of the Technological University of the Philippines-Manila (Massquerade); Blaine Louis A. Rosales of the University of Santo Tomas (Ipagpatuloy ang Daloy ng Alon); and Ronald L. Jeresano of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Manila (Panatang Obra) led the pack, earning ArtPetron 2008 accolades as co-winners in their division.

Rommel C. Ramota of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Manila (Ang Pundasyon ng Kasiyahan); Gerald B. Mungkal of Chasse Arteskwela Tarlac (Mga Nakakubling Ngiti ng Pagdiriwang); and Alex P. Ordoyo of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (Dinagyang Festival) won top honors in the watercolor painting division.

In the photography competition, Alexa M. Remalante (Lugod) from the University of Santo Tomas; Vincent C. Kho (Sinulog Festival) and Mari Rose Angeline G. Lim (Apung Iru Festival) both from the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation; Paul Allyson R. Quimabao (Season of Grace), Marcelino Bugaoan Jr. (Indayog), and Hadrian M. Aguilar (Pagkakaisa ng mga Kulay) from Visayas State University triumphed over the competition, sharing the award for grand prize in photography.

"ArtPetron is loads of fun," shares the bright-eyed Christian Erick Villaruz, one of the winners in the oil painting division as he talks about his ‘Artpetron’ experience. His work, ‘Massquerade,’ an elaborate painting of many masks in a big mask, which Abueva described as ‘colorful and elaborate’ – perfectly depicts what the fiesta is all about. The student says, "I share my grand prize with my family, friends, classmates, and professors who served as my inspiration in my artworks."

Alexa Remalante, an 18-year-old UST Fine Arts student, has all the reasons to be proud while displaying her winning photograph ‘Lugod,' a portrait of a spontaneous girl with a vibrant smile while dancing with a handkerchief in her hand.

"With the glowing face on the girl," Alexa explains, "the image just sends a beautiful message to us that we have to project a positive outlook in life despite the struggles we encounter in our society today."

Since its inception eight years ago, ArtPetron continues to inspire Filipino artists in highlighting a ‘positive culture’ through their artworks. "It is significant to channel one’s engine into something creative," shares Charmaine Canillas, Petron’s ad and promo director. "As always, we pay tribute to the beautiful artworks of these young artists. ArtPetron never fails to do its share of promoting Philippine culture, tradition, and values to the youth through distinctly Filipino-themed artistic expression."

ArtPetron, an annual nationwide art contest, is open to all students aged 16-28 years old who are enrolled in a regular college or university fine arts course or a museum-based or private tutorial art program. It is the only art contest which can boast of receiving entries from all 16 Philippine regions in the last seven years of competition.

This year’s grand winners in the oil painting and watercolor division were awarded Php50,000 along with a handcrafted trophy from National Artist Napoleon Abueva. Grand winners in the photography division received Php30,000 and an Abueva plaque. Six runners-up in the oil painting and watercolor division received Php20,000 and an ArtPetron trophy, while the six runners-up in the photography division earned Php15,000 and an ArtPetron trophy.

ArtPetron 2008 is part of Petron’s drive to fuel the creativity of the Filipino youth through artistic expression. -- Reprinted from The Manila Bulletin