CEBU CITY – As expected, the Cebu leg of the Manila Bulletin (MB) Sketchfest on Saturday, September 28, at SM Seaside City here was a hit.
WINNERS of the Manila Bulletin Sketchfest Cebu leg show off their winning entries. The winners were joined on stage by Manila Bulletin-Cebu Branch’s Jules Geolagon (left) and competition judges Florentino Impas Jr., Dr. Shane Carreon, and Ivy Marie Apa. (Calvin D. Cordova)
The Cebu stop of MB’s flagship event drew 351 participants who showcased their skills in the spontaneous drawing and sketching competition.
“The turnout was good. Last year, we had 255 participants and now we have 351. So we had a 30 percent increase in participants. So, we’re happy with the turnout,” said Myra Liezel Abando, Manila Bulletin brand and marketing supervisor.
With the theme, “Alamat: Mythical stories and legends of the Philippines,” this year’s sketchfest did not only showcase aspiring artists from various areas in Cebu but also promoted the country’s rich literary culture.
“We chose the theme because the so-called Gen Z seemed to have forgotten the rich literary culture of the Philippines. There are different legends in Davao, Cebu, and Manila and we want to bring them back,” said Abando.
Leading the winner’s circle was Jerson Calo who topped the senior category.
“It’s not easy to win the MB Sketchfest. Unlike exhibit or commissioned artworks, here you have a concept to consider. You have to come up with a concept that will be different from others and convince the judge that your artwork really stands out from other entries,” said Calo, a resident of Barangay San Roque, this city, who has been into art for the past 14 years.
Placing second in the senior category was John Dadula followed by Alfred Ismael Galaroza.
Niña Christie Villahermosa of the Science and Technology Elementary School won the kiddie category while Johanna Ycong of Looc National High School (NHS) in Lapu-Lapu City and Xyrence Joy Paduga of Pardo Elementary School here were second and third, respectively.
The junior category was won by Cielo Eve Ziah Sobiono of Looc NHS with Hannah Faith of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University and Zyrel Aron Valdez finishing second and third, respectively.
Kevin Arsolon won the AirAsia special award.
“The entries today are really good. Every year, the entries are improving,” said Florentino “Jun” Impas Jr., one of the three renowned judges of the competition. Other judges were Dr. Shane Carreon and Ivy Marie Apa.
The top three finishers in the senior category received P30,000, P20,000, and P10,000, respectively.
Prizes for the junior category were pegged at P15,000 for the champion, P10,000 for the second placer, and P5,000 for the third place.
The top three winners in the kiddie category received P5,000, P3,000, and P2,000, respectively.
Apart from the monetary prize, what makes the MB Sketchfest special is the opportunity that it provides to the participants to showcase their skills.
“This competition is very important because it raises awareness. It enhances the talent of the artists. It fuels their passion until they achieve their goal,” said Impas.
The MB Sketchfest has truly grown leaps and bounds since it started 13 years ago.
“The MB Sketchfest started in 2011 in Ayala triangle with just 100 to 250 participants. Some of the students who took part in the competition were able to put up their own exhibits after they graduated. We made the MB Sketchfest as the platform so they can enter the art industry,” said Abando.
Before Cebu, the competition was held in Davao City last August 31. The Manila leg is scheduled on October 30.