Pilipinas Shell’s 54th NSAC award ceremony celebrates role of young artists in nation-building
THE recent culmination of 54th National Students Art Competition (NSAC) the Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. showed the influence that the next generation of talents can exercise in securing a bright future for the country. More than 1,500 entries nationwide, in illustrating the contest’s theme “reSTART,” were a collective call to action to inspire the youth to take a stronger role in rebuilding the nation. Awards were given to the three most outstanding pieces in each of the four categories: digital fine arts, sculpture, watercolor, and oil and acrylic.
Lorelie Quiambao-Osial, Pilipinas Shell Country chairperson, expressed to the young artists her confidence in how they can make a difference in a world that is slowly rebuilding itself after a major crisis: “The pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives. Yet there was a strength of spirit inside you that shone through. We see it mostly in your art, and that is what we are recognizing today. As we bravely continue to navigate through this pandemic and look forward to recovery, we believe that art could start change and progress.”
Quiambao-Osial, who is also president and chief executive officer of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., extended a warm welcome to the participants of the 54th Shell NSAC, which encourages and supports the country’s young artists to reach their full artistic potential.
As the event guest speaker, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat agreed, saying: “That art and artist have an important part to play in nation-building. Art allows us to engage with current situations, and the young generation is changing the way they think and speak to create a more inclusive society.”
Resilience, hope and courage were the recurring messages that shone from the top three prizes in the four categories.
Digital Fine Arts Category
1st Place: “Pintura” by Gerard Lynn Mara Santos of Technological University of the Philippines. 2nd Place: “Pagtanggap Mo Sa Aking Pagkukulang” by Mary Franz Salazar of Technological University of the Philippines, Manila. 3rd Place: “Tayo’y Makakahinga Muli” by Ralph Enzo Rabaya of Xavier University.
Oil-Acrylic Category
First Place: “Panibagong Umaga” by Jarren Dahan of University of Mindanao. Second Place: “Regrowth” by Ranier Angelo Bolivar of GK College of Business, Arts, and Technology Inc. Third Place: “Puhon” by Gyles Maverick Abac of University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Sculpture Category
First Place: “If Only We’ll Unite and Conquer” by Maica Rozel Borlagdan of University of the Philippines-Diliman. Second Place: “Laban Lang!” by Mark Eclipse of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges Marbel Inc. Third Place: “Future on Our Fingerprint” by Zoe Manigan of Far Eastern University.
Watercolor Category
First Place: “Moving Forward” by Ranier Angelo Bolivar of GK College of Business, Arts, and Technology Inc. Second Place: “Sa Dibdib Mo’y Buhay” by Patricia Serrano of Technological University of the Philippines-Manila. Third Place: “Progresibong Papel ng Pagkatao” by Elaiza Judilla of University of the East-Caloocan.
Pilipinas Shell enlisted the help of seasoned artists and distinguished leaders in the art community to serve as judges: Ross Capili, Dopy Doplon and Pablo Biglang-Awa Jr. for the digital fine arts category; Edgar Fernandez, Antipas Delotavo and Renato Habulan for the watercolor category; Isko Andrade, Kenneth Esguerra and Alfredo Esquillo, Jr. for the oil/acrylic category; Paul Quiano, Toym Leon Imao and Reggie Yuson for the sculpture category.
Elizabeth Gustilo, director of the Ayala Museum, said: “Through their tools and talents, our artists can craft their vision of a better future, actively taking part in shaping the nation, post-pandemic. The 54th NSAC batch of student artists knew that the story, a message that needed to be told, was one of the fresh starts on pushing forward despite the challenges.” (PR)
