MANILA BULLETIN Publisher Sonny Coloma (center), visual artist Christian "Chris" Mirang (left), visual artist and Art Association of the Philippines President Fidel Sarmiento (right) after the judging process of this year's Manila Bulletin Sketchfest exhibition and digital categories in preparation for the final leg on Oct. 22 at SM Mall of Asia.
Thirty artists will be named finalists in two categories – exhibition and digital – of the Manila Bulletin Sketchfest, following the judging process held on Friday, Oct. 7, at the MB main office in Intramuros, Manila.
Twenty of the finalists are from the exhibition category, which has 65 entries, and 10 finalists are from the digital category, which has 103 entries.
Their art works will be displayed at the final leg at SM Mall of Asia on Oct. 22. Results and names of the participants will be released on Manila Bulletin's social media pages within the week.
MB's annual art contest, which was last conducted as a physical event in 2019, made a successful return this year with the theme “Saving Earth,” which highlights the importance of the environment and its conservation.
“We are grateful and happy that people are able to come out, especially the young people who stayed at home for more than two years. We, in Manila Bulletin, welcome the normalization of day-to-day activities of Filipinos,” Manila Bulletin Publisher Sonny Coloma, one of the judges, said.
Other judges were Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) President Fidel Sarmiento and visual artist Christian “Chris” Mirang.
Sarmiento advised participants and other aspiring artists to join more art contests to utilize their talent and skills.
“Takot ang alisin at ilabas mo ang nasa isip mo. Yun ang simula. Hindi ka man manalo ngayon, sasali lang ng sali, panalo ka dahil nakagawa ka ng isang obra, yung reward makakamit mo rin (Set your fears aside and bring what’s in your mind to life. That’s how it begins. Just continue to join; you may not win now but it’s good you’ve created a work of art, the reward will follow),” he said.
Mirang advised artists not to give up and focus on creating more art.
“Ang payo ko lang sa mga kabataan wag silang susuko at tuloy-tuloy lang sa paglikha ng magaganda. Wag nila kalilimutan kung saan nanggagaling ang kanilang talento yun ay galing sa Diyos ng sa ganun ay di sila malihis ng landas (My advice to the youth is – do not give up and keep on creating art. Do not forget that your talent came from God),” he said.
Under the exhibition category, winners will receive cash and gift certificates – ₱50,000 for first place, ₱30,000 for second place, ₱20,000 for third place, and ₱2,000 for consolation prizes.
Other categories are on-the-spot, which has sub-categories for kiddie (12 years old and below), junior (12 to 18 years old), and senior (19 years old), while digital is open to all ages.
The annual art contest has conducted a leg each in SM Seaside Cebu on Sept. 17, 2022, and SM City Davao on Oct. 1, 2022. The next one will be at SM Mall of Asia on Oct. 22, which will have an on-site registration from 7 a.m. to noon and will be open to the public.
MB's annual art contest is now in its 11th year, which started in 2011 with only 200 participants. The event attracted more experienced and aspiring artists through the years and reached over 2,000 participants in 2019.
This event is co-presented by SM Seaside Cebu, SM City Davao, SM Mall of Asia, and Grab Philippines; and is in partnership with AirAsia, Casino Filipino, MG Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Palacio de Memoria, the National Museum of the Philippines, DYHP, iFM, RMN, Mang Inasal, Seda Abreeza Hotel, Diamond Suites, and Residences. Special thanks to Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, Cebu Music Learning Center, MX3, IPI Philippines, Davao Light and Power, and Nature Spring