DAVAO CITY – It’s all worth the time and effort of over two-hour trip from Kidapawan City for 11-year Nikko Rones Nacario.

Nacario topped the Kiddie Category of the Davao leg of the 14th edition of the Manila Bulletin’s Sketchfest on Saturday, July 26.

He is a Grade 6 pupil of Amas Central Elementary School in Kidapawan City in Cotabato province.

His artwork depicts of himself wearing clothes that resembled colorful puzzles and stick drawings of him and his parents inside a house.

For Nacario, his artwork conveys a portrait of his family.

Her mother Nestle, admitted that his son was diagnosed with mild autism six years ago.

She added that her son could not still believe he topped the category.

“We came a long way just to join his event for the first time. My son really loves to draw. That's all he's doing when he is at home,” said Nestle, a high school teacher.

Second spot was captured by Kendrick Ivan Aguinaldo followed by Junnarx Kyrie Dionson of Catalunan Pequeño Elementary School.

Dadai Joaquin, of the three judges, said that she looked for entries with impact.

Joaquin, a seasoned Davaoeña artist, added that she also prefers pieces that conveys the message based on the theme.

A total of 550 participants have participated in 14th edition of the annual Manila Bulletin Sketchfest held at the Annex Event Center of SM City Davao.

Three-hundred twenty five of them belong to the Junior Category while 155 of them registered under Kiddie Category. The rest were under the Senior's category.

This year’s theme, “How Life is Better,” aims to depict the beauty, resilience, and everyday joy of life in showcasing the artist’s unique visual style.

Donn Manguilimotan, one of the judges, shared that he did not expect that many of the entries in the kiddie category were more matured compared to previous Sketchfests.

Manguilimotan, a Sketchfest winner in 2018, believes that the art scene the city has greatly evolved.

"Maybe because the social media could have contributed to the improvement of the new generation of artists. But also, the parents played a key role in their children," he said.

In the junior category, Yonnah Ysabelle Algonez, 15, of Davao City National High School earned first place.

Algonez’s piece depicts a colored stick figure of a family on a piece of paper.

“For our life to be better, we have to give importance to our family,” she said.

According to her, this was the second time that she joined the sketchfest. “I did not expect to win, I came here with my friends o enjoy what we are doing.”

Robbie Piansay bagged second place. Third was Mikaela Lian Ledesma of the University of Immaculate Concepcion Likha Club,

In the senior's category, Kathlyn Joy Rivas, 27, of Guhit Pinas Davao topped the group. She explained that her artwork depicts that for life to be better. "We get to put color in our life"

Rivas was in tears while on her way up to the stage during the awarding ceremony.

Blench Ivan Cainglet of Pintagum grabbed second place followed by Artemio Bongawan Sr.

Evaluator Bryan Cabrera said his choices were leaning towards who employed the sketch style technique.

While all the entries were relevant to the theme, Cabrera pointed out his choices for winners were based on the artist's visual rearticulation of the theme.

"Every artist has their own interpretation of the theme, which is quite easy to interpret. It all boils down to the visual rearticulation," he said.