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Cultivating Mindanao's creative young talent


Stars can be born when creative talent is discovered and encouraged—as it was in Davao City at the three-day Behance Portfolio Reviews for Davao and Mindanao from May 14 to 16. The event was a collaboration between Behance Philippines and the Balud Art Network, creative networking platforms that allow artists, art spaces, NGOs, funding agencies, and curators to connect with each other. Its main purpose was to encourage emerging artists to share their talent with the creative community.

Young artists put their work forward for critiques and encouragement at the Behance Portfolio Reviews for Davao and Mindanao.
 
Several weeks before the event, an open call was made for young artists in the region 25 years old and younger to submit their works in any of three categories: Graphic Design, Illustration, and Photography. From the pool of applicants, several were chosen to make it to the portfolio review sessions.
Illustration by Alben Tan
 
On the first day of the event at SM Lanang Premier's SMX Convention Center, the participants were warmly welcomed by Balud Art Network  project director Angely Chi and Behance Philippines founder Anjo Bolarda. After the opening program, the participants were divided into groups based on their categories, and each category was assigned a separate room. Each participant was given 30 minutes to present their portfolio, explain their creative process, and talk about their inspiration before a panel of experts.
Photograph by Jed Reyes
 
After each presentation, the panel (Ray Rubio and Paolo Ramirez for Graphic Design, Rai Cruz and John Amor for Illustration, and Abraham “Abe” Garcia, Jr. and Kenth O’Bajo for Photography) gave their critiques, pointing out areas for improvement, complimenting the artist on good points made, and  sharing advice on how to grow in their craft.
Illustration by Karl Aguro
 
The portfolios were also exhibited at a live art event led by Behance Manila artists Rai Cruz and Anjo Bolarda at the Matina Town Square Davao. Being in the same venue with a lot of creative minds from various fields of interest was an amazing experience. There was an aura, not of competition but of camaraderie and collaboration, among these artists, who share an unmistakable love and passion for art, in whatever means and ways each one may define and express it.
Illustration by Chad de Lira
 
James Bacarro, hailed as one of the top three participants in the Graphic Design category, was asked what he thought was the best and most memorable part about the portfolio reviews. "For me, it's being able to meet great artists in Mindanao and still connect and communicate with them even after the event," he said. — BM, GMA News Photographs and images courtesy of Behance Portfolio Reviews for Davao and Mindanao.
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