Six College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) students bagged several awards, including the first prize winner under the watercolor painting category, in the Shell 55th National Students Art Competition held at the Ayala Museum in Makati City last December 6, 2022.
Themed "Sulong Sining," the 55th NSAC aims to empower youth in actively shaping the future through their art.
John Michael Ramos won the 1st prize with his watercolor painting (30x22 inches) titled "Pag-asa, Dalangin at Pangarap."
Ramos received a 60,000 cash prize, a limited edition Shell NSAC shirt and jacket, a gold medal, and a plaque.
Since Ramos won the first prize, the college will receive a 20,000 peso grant to support its faculty development plan.
His other entry in the same category landed 6th place.
Meanwhile, in the sculpture category, John Romer Pavilando's work titled "Hanggang Pampang" ranked 3rd.
Pavilando also joined the digital art category and was included among the top 30 finalists, along with Pamela Mari Zabala and Gizelle Mikaela Lagahi.
Other student artists included in the top 30 finalists are Mica Ann Morte in the watercolor category and Yuri Romero Gutierrez in the sculpture category.
Mr. Jessie Tadeo Jr., CAFA instructor and the student artists' mentor, beamed with pride as they claimed victory in their respective categories.
"As their instructor and mentor, I cannot express how happy I am that we won an award because of their artistic talent. I usually tell them that joining the competition is not about money or fame. The most important thing is that they arrive pleased and confident in themselves. I am also glad because it reminds me of when I was a student at TSU and participated in competitions like the Shell NSAC," Tadeo Jr. said in an interview.
The university frequents this prestigious competition, exposing students to national level contests, to enhance their skills and gain wisdom from various experiences from artists, competitors, and coaches.
The said contest is open to all college students currently enrolled with at least nine units for the academic year 2022-2023 in a duly recognized Philippine college or university.
Tadeo said the students were given four months to prepare their piece since the Shell NSAC began collecting entries in June.
“As a mentor, I led a meeting to discuss how they should begin their work – beginning with conceptualization and progressing until they can incorporate their chosen image into their works. Students will be more inspired and driven to enhance their work this way," he said
"I am now one of those that guide them in these art competitions. It is not the first time that TSU has won an award in the field of [an] art competition. Every year, TSU receives an award, and this year, our students bagged these awards in different categories as 1st, 2nd, and 6th placers with five national finalists," Tadeo added.
According to Tadeo, CAFA students aced this year's competition compared to last year’s event where students only landed as finalists.
The Shell NSAC caters to four categories such as watercolor painting, sculpture, digital art, and oil/acrylic. All participants received a certificate of participation.
