CEBU CITY – Redemption and validation.

That’s how three young artists described their accomplishments in the Cebu leg of the 14th Manila Bulletin Sketchfest on Saturday, June 28, at SM Seaside City Cebu.

Niña Christei Villahermosa, April Lyka Pugoy, and Jean Deanne Batiancila shone the brightest among hundreds of participants after topping their respective categories.

Villahermosa topped the competition’s Kiddie Category for the second straight year while Pugoy and Batiancila redeemed themselves from failed campaigns in their first tries by ruling the Junior and Senior categories, respectively.

“This victory is for my family. They are really supportive when it comes to improving my craft. They are the ones who encourage me to pursue my craft,” said Villahermosa, a Grade 6 pupil from Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

Villahermosa said topping her category for the second straight year wasn’t easy, saying she went up against equally talented artists.

“I saw their outputs, they were really good also. I didn’t expect to win again,” Villahermosa.

The eldest of two broods, Villahermosa said she joined the competition with her family in mind. It has been Villahermosa’s goal to help her father provide for the family.

The girl’s father is a seaman while her mother bakes pastries and sells them online.

“I thought that the winnings that I will get will help pay for the rent of our house. I really want to help my family,” Villahermosa said.

Princess Heart Aberenica and Willa Mae Ysabel Bayno finished second and third, respectively.

On the other hand, Pugoy cheered for her classmate, who won the Junior Category last year. This time, it was her turn to be cheered on.

“Last year, it was my classmate who won while I didn’t place,” said Pugoy, a Grade 12 pupil of Looc National High School in Lapu-Lapu City.

Pugoy admitted that failing to make it to the podium last year somehow challenged her.

In her return to the competition, Pugoy was more prepared.

“I worked on improving my drawing skills. My content should be from the heart which I failed to do last year,” Pugoy said.

Trailing Pugoy were Jnregy Rhoiez Palates, and Chryz Jyn Rhona Naval, who wound up second and third, respectively.

For Batiancila, it was a case of proving herself that she can make it.

Batiancila, a nursing student of Cebu City Medical Center-College of Nursing, joined the first-ever Cebu leg of the competition.

Batiancila’s first participation was a forgettable one as she didn’t even finish her entry in the junior category.

Compounding her woes was Batiancila was under the weather during the competition.

The 21-year-old artist did not attempt to join the competition again until she got an email invite from Manila Bulletin.

Batiancila decided to give it another try. It yielded a different result.

“My motto when I joined again, I know better, I must do better,” Batiancila said.

Batiancila exerted extra effort in her second attempt. She said she carefully studied the theme and made sure to apply it in her entry.

The Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City said a second failure was not option.

“I told myself that I can do it. If I failed the first time, I must not fail the second time. There was no room for a second failure,” she said.

Placing second in the Senior Category was Ant Jan Elaine Ylanan while Harold Espere ranked third.

Cash prizes or gift certificates from SM were given to the top three winners.

Judges were Clint Normandia, Wilfredo Cañete Jr., and Ramon de Dios.

“Our judges were really impressed with the output. The participants really stuck to our ‘Life is Better’ theme,” said Myra Liezel Abando, Manila Bulletin brand and marketing supervisor.

The theme of this year’s MB Sketchfest was inspired by the theme of the company’s 125th anniversary.

“The theme of the 125th year anniversary was ‘Making Life Better,’ which resonates MB’s masthead motto, Exponent of Philippine Progress,” Abando said.

A total of 258 participants signed up for this year’s Cebu leg.

“In terms of the number of participants, we are happy about it considering we only started sending invites two weeks before the competition. Last year, we had 380 participants but we had a longer time to prepare,” Abando said.