P200,000 up for grabs in PAGCOR's 1st National Art Contest

Participants to the 1st National Art Competition of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation can win up to P200,000 after PAGCOR increased the cash prizes for the contest. Grand prize winners in the professional category will receive P200,000 each plus a trophy, more than twice the amount initially set at P75,000. Also, each of the three grand prize winners in the non-professional category will get P75,000 and a trophy, instead of the original amount of P50,000. Non-winning entries among the finalists (10 for every category) will also get P10,000 each for the non-professional category, and P20,000 for the professional category, twice the original prizes of 5,000 and 10,000 respectively. According to  PAGCOR’s Assistant VP for Corporate Communications Maricar Bautista, the state-run gaming firm decided to increase the prizes to pay tribute to the extraordinary talent of Filipino painters. “In order to encourage more deserving participants and discover the best artwork which we can showcase in our promotional collateral, we decided to increase the prize for the winners in both the professional and amateur categories,” Bautista said in a statement. A month before the PAGCOR had begun accepting entries, there had already been "an overwhelming influx of interested participants." “We did not expect that we will be flooded with a lot of good feedback about the contest. Even seasoned artists have lauded this initiative and have expressed their intention to participate in our project,” said Bautista. The competition gets its theme from the Department of Tourism's slogan "It's more fun in the Philippines," as the contest is PAGCOR's way of fulfilling its mandate to help promote the country's tourism industry. Entries must be in full color, using acrylic, oil, pastel and watercolor. “Through this art competition, we intend to tap professional and budding painters in coming out with beautiful pieces of artworks that will truthfully depict the colorful culture and undeniable beauty of the Philippines, the famed warmth and hospitality of its people, and the diverse activities that could be experienced in the country which will truly make one’s visit to the Philippines more fun and memorable,” Bautista said. Bautista noted PAGCOR will have exclusive ownership of all grand prize winning entries, which will be featured in the 2013 PAGCOR Calendar. PAGCOR will start accepting entries from June 11 to 15, 2012. Entry forms for the 1st PAGCOR National Art Competition are available in all Casino Filipino branches nationwide and may also be downloaded from www.pagcor.ph.   For complete details on the contest rules and mechanics, visit www.pagcor.ph or call PAGCOR CCD at telephone numbers (02) 247-1049 or 242-0121 local 622 or 629. — CGL/LBG, GMA News