Manila Bulletin Sketchfest stages successful comeback in Davao City


DAVAO CITY – After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Manila Bulletin Sketchfest made a successful comeback here with the staging of its Davao leg at SM City Davao in this city on Saturday, Oct. 1.

WINNERS of the Manila Bulletin Sketchfest pose with their winning artwork. (Keith Bacongco)

Close to 400 registered online and walk-in participants and spectators were formally welcomed by Dante Simangan, vice president for Circulation of the Manila Bulletin.

The event – where participants competed in the on-the-spot, digital, and expo categories – was administered by Mark Dy, brand and marketing manager of the Manila Bulletin.

Each category was split into three groups: Kiddies (aged four to 12), juniors (aged 13 to 18), and seniors (aged 19 and above).

Dy said this year’s sketchfest theme, “Saving Earth,” revisits environmental advocacy.

"The goal of saving the Earth is to remind everyone that this is still something that has to be discussed," Dy said.

SM City Davao manager Lester Tantoco said that the theme is a positive message especially for the young participants that it is important to nurture nature.

“We, at SM Supermalls, have been pursuing sustainable greening initiatives and supporting environmental campaigns,” Tantoco said.

Tantoco said that they hope the participants would not just sketch about preserving the environment but also truly embody the responsibility to save Mother Earth.

ARTISTS compete at the Davao City leg of the Manila Bulletin Sketchfest at the SM City Davao on Saturday, Oct. 1, with the theme ‘Saving Earth.’ (Keith Bacongco)

Dy said the resumption of the face-to-face Manila Bulletin Sketchfest attracted a significant turnout.

He added that this event was made possible by the enormous support of sponsors.

“It is like a reunion for everyone in the same community. The idea of the sketchfest is to find the meaning of engaging the audience. We want activities that engage the youth,” Dy said.

The Manila Bulletin Sketchfest is now in its 11th year and it aims to support the advocacy of art. The digital art category was added to this year's edition.

The event offers as much as P50,000 worth of prizes and round trip tickets for two to any domestic destination.

Winners were promptly announced after the competition ended.

Kiddie Category

First – Eleandre Aparece

Second – Emerald Joseph Isidro

Third – Zacahary Liam Macasera

Junior Category

First – Prussian Joseph Isidro

Second – Rubin Christian Silao

Third – Ruel Anthony Aballa

Senior Category

First – Gideo Apurado

Second – Joseph Isidro

Third – Leo Patos

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After Davao City, the Manila Bulletin Sketchfest will be held at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Oct. 22.

(UPDATED)