Another Filipina creative has made history, putting the Philippines on the map of the international art scene. Self-made artist Maruja Panti from Virac, Catanduanes, won the “Art Seen” 2023 competition.

Organized by the food brand Sun Chips, “Art Seen” is an annual international art competition that challenges creatives worldwide to design packaging for the chips brand. Through this initiative, the company aims to spotlight the originality and talent of artists globally.
Three winners are selected each year, and for the 2023 competition, Panti—a licensed civil engineer with a master’s degree in public administration—was one of the winners, alongside Darnell “Solo” Kirkwood and Megan Lewis from the US.

In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, Panti shared that she entered the competition without expecting to win. Her primary goal was to take the opportunity to share her art with a wider audience. She submitted two works, which went on to win through public voting on Sun Chips’ website.

“Mashonda Tifrere, a women’s empowerment advocate, curator, and art collector, introduced me to the competition in Miami and encouraged me to join,” she said. “I submitted two paintings, ‘The Glowing Tulips’ and ‘The Pink Clouds.’ The competition is open to everyone worldwide, free of charge, so I saw it as a great opportunity to finally showcase my work to critics—diverse people from different backgrounds and cultures across the globe.”

One day, Panti received an email from Sun Chips informing her that she was among the winners. Over the next six months, she collaborated with the brand’s team to create a packaging design for one of their chip variants.

“I was assigned to design the packaging for the original flavor, which happens to be the most expensive of all the Sun Chips flavors,” Panti said. “The other two grand winners are artists from the US, so it was easier for them to meet and communicate with the Sun Chips team. Meanwhile, I worked with them online and through constant Zoom meetings. Finally, the new limited-edition packaging was launched in 2024.”

Taking inspiration from her happy island life in Catanduanes, Panti, who is also a tattoo artist, created “Beating Heart.” This artwork is dominated by blue tones that evoke vast seas and clear skies, with other vibrant colors inspired by tropical flowers and marine life.

“It’s titled ‘Beating Heart’ because it pulses with uniqueness and happiness,” she explained. “Everyone has a heart full of passion that contributes vibrant, positive vibes to the world. Let our hearts continue to beat, inspiring and spreading those vibes to reach every other beating heart.”

From a simple goal of showcasing her work online, Panti’s art is now held by people who purchase Sun Chips in the US. This experience taught the Pinay artist the importance of dreaming and working hard to make those dreams a reality.

“As a female artist, I am thrilled to share and show the world what I can do. Your dreams are valid, no matter where you are from,” Panti said.

“I currently reside in Catanduanes Island, far from the city. I live in the town of Virac, where competing on a global scale is a significant risk. But I faced it courageously and succeeded. It’s not where we are in the world that defines what we can achieve, but the dreams in our hearts that fuel us to live those dreams,” she concluded.