Four Filipino Painters and Sculptors ‘Emerge’ at the 2022 MADE Awards

With a theme that aims to put a form to humanity’s unconfined potential, The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) finally recognized the 2022 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) awardees through a virtual ceremony held last September 22 (Friday). Launched on January 3 of this year, a total of 537 pieces from local painters and sculptors all over the country were amassed. The submissions were scrutinized in line with the theme “Emerge: Step into Your Boundless Future,” an examination of human experiences within the pandemic but also beyond it.

Artists Melvin John Pollero, Raymundo Ador III, and Mateo Cacnio garnered the 2022 MADE Grand Awards and ₱500,000 for each of the oil/acrylic on canvas, water media on paper, and sculpture categories respectively. A special citation was given to Jun Orland Espinosa for his sculptural work, along with a cash prize of ₱100,000. During the ceremony, each of them was able to shed light on creative inspirations and innovations, especially those that concern their winning pieces. They also recognized their individual roles in contributing to the artistic documentation of Philippine history. The awardees join the MADE – Network of Winners, the alumni organization of past winners that implements pay-it-forward projects in aid of marginalized sectors.

2007 Metrobank Foundation Prize for Achievement in Sculpture Juan Sajid designed the institutional trophy received by this year’s awardees. Sajid has over 20 years of experience in sculpting and is considered a master in the use of metal. “I believe that the continuity of MADE as a program should be reflected in the trophy.” Called “More,” the design signifies the growth of hundreds of homegrown talents recognized and presented to the larger sphere of the art community. “It is a reminder that after winning this prestigious award, an artist should be able to offer and show more of their creative capabilities.”

Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto Sobrepeña shared that this year’s theme and MADE in general is “all about promoting local talents to come out of the shadows and unleash a world of possibilities and imagination. He added that “art-making cannot be stifled and that it offers opportunities for community-building through an examination of shared experiences.” 

The final board of judges was chaired by prolific and well-known painter Alfred Esquillo, who is also a former MADE awardee and the founder of the Eskinita Art Gallery. Members of the panel included multi-awarded contemporary artist Elmer Borlongan; contemporary artist and co-founder of Orange Project, Charlie Co; sculptor and former committee member for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts National Committee on Visual Arts, Reg Yuson; interdisciplinary visual artist and art educator, Mervy Pueblo; interdisciplinary artist and educator, Marc Vincent Cosico; and cultural worker, independent curator, and art educator, Lisa Ito.

Fourth District of Pangasinan Representative and House Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts Chairperson Cong. Christopher “Toff” de Venecia, this year’s guest of honor, commended the Metrobank Foundation for its unwavering commitment to the development of the Philippine art and creative industries. He regarded MADE programs as undertakings that “not only highlight but reinforce the indomitable spirit of Filipino creativity which has truly withstood the test of time, especially during this pandemic.” 

Since 1984, the Metrobank Foundation has been continuously promoting the Philippine art scene, recognizing young Filipino artists’ talent and hard work. It was previously known as the Metrobank National Painting Competition, which was foreseen as an instrument that would engage the youth in a positive endeavor amidst the Philippine economic and political chaos at the time. •