Metrobank's MADE competition: Uncovering new gems in art and design

Another year of thorough searching and meticulous selection yielded a new batch of gems in the art world. Now on its 29th year, the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) National Competition in Painting, Sculpture, Interior Design and Architecture recognizes a fresh set of artists and designers who are ready to face the world in a shining light.

Painting Competition

For the Oil on Canvas category, “Nilay-Nilay“ by Alvin Florentino bagged Grand Prize. Nilay-Nilay explores the duality of religion and myth, reality and trance, male and female.

The artist deconstructs the notion of the sacred and the sins then poses the question for the audience to ponder: Can the sacred wash a sinner’s soul to cleanliness? Why does it seem like we are bound to a cycle of sin and repentance? Indeed, Florentino captured the rawness of human morality.

Another Grand Prize winner, “Intercession” by Herbert J. Pajarito, takes a different approach in technique as he painstakingly rendered intricately designed symbols and abstract representations of his explorations of the soul: eyes, chalice all arranged in a “chaotic order.”

"Perseverance" proved to be a quality of high value as it bagged the Grand Prize in the Watermedia On Paper category. Darby Alcoseba, who comes from a family of painters in Cebu, presents the perspective of workers and what it means to persevere in one’s chosen field – the sacrifices one has to make and the risks one has to take. Rendered in this aqueous medium, “Perseverance” also gained judges’ nod for exhibiting technical skill in the manipulation of the medium.

Sculpture Competition

“Bulalas!” – an outrage, an outpouring of emotion so unstoppable it could disturb even the most apathetic of observers. It was no surprise that the sculpture by Merlito Gepte was able to wow the judges and won him grand prize in the sculpture competition. Made of resin and fiberglass, Bulalas’ exterior is that of a human head in an open-mouthed, anguished expression, seemingly yelling and struggling amidst the deafening silence. Literally, the sculpture opens up to reveal a lighted image of a tree symbolizing the very soul of an individual one with mother earth. This soul, the source of moral discretion, needs to be heard.

Interior Design

Both design competitions escalated the bar when the challenges became conceptual and in a much larger scale. Focusing on promoting Filipino culture and medical tourism, this year’s interior design competition in partnership with Manila Doctors Hospital asked the young designers to design a twin hospital lobby (UN Avenue and Kalaw Avenue Lobbies) reflective of Filipino culture and at the same time the international standards of medical care.

Interior Designer Astrud Sangil was able to weave all of these criteria into her Grand Prize winning entry, “Habi”. Habi is the interweaving of all of the best of the Philippines: the people, the natural resources and the climate. All three interwoven together in her design, which makes use of perforated panels, multi level counters, and the infusion of Filipino woven textile design elements into the spatial organization and in wayfinding signages for smooth navigation through the two lobbies.

Architecture

In cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the MADE Architecture competition challenged young architects to design the CCP port / terminal which represents our rich Filipino culture in this global tourism market. A team of young architects led by Jason Romeo Abustan together with Anne Lorraine Caban and Jonathan Sadorra won the Grand Prize.

Their winning design, “Agos”, revolved around the concept of not only reassuring safe maritime travel but also giving passengers a port which embodies Filipino history, culture and arts. Agos terminal features a Hardin ng Sining (Garden of the Arts) which offers enough open space for families to enjoy as they accompany or welcome visiting relatives, a scenic monorail train which will ferry passengers and provide them with a breath taking view of the sea and other sustainable architecture features such as concrete green roof with rainwater collection, operable transom windows, and wavy roof, walls and flooring coverage to harness and maximize the use sunlight, shade, wind, and rainwater.

The main material of the structure is similar to the building material of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in order to emphasize continuity within the cultural complex. Agos doesn’t just ensure proper function and transport of goods and people but offers a truly Filipino experience for local and international tourists.

“Fitting for the prestige that the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence gives its winners. This batch of Filipino artists and designers are the new gems in Philippine art  & design industry. Discovering talents require equal diligence and hardwork, MADE’s selection process is indeed like that of making gems, undergoing rigorous process where only gems of high quality, of talent and passion, will outshine the rest.” Said Metrobank Foundation president, Mr. Aniceto M. Sobrepena. He furthers: “as part of our commitment to art education, public art and art for wellness, the awarding celebration is followed by two days of art, learning and wellness made available to the public. We believe that through this, we further in our commitment to promote Filipino culture. MADE is now on its 29th year, as we end this cycle, we look forward to a new beginning, to the 30th. ”

The winners will be given due recognition on the awarding ceremony and exhibit opening on September 19, 2013 at Le Pavilon, Pasay City. This ceremony features a special selling exhibition by the MADE Network Of Winners to support their art therapy program. The event is also the kick off of a three-day art event open to the public.

Following the awarding night, there will be a free art lecture on September 20 from 9am-5pm and a workshop on art and wellness for teachers as a contribution to National Teachers’ Month on September 21 from 9am-5pm at Le Pavilon, Pasay City. Admission is free. For inquiries and pre-registration  please contact Louise.calicdan@metrobank.com.ph or Henri.palma@metrobank.com.ph. Like us on Facebook: Metrobank Art and Design Excellence

Press release from Metrobank