Art competition trophies are Imao the younger originals

Winners of the ongoing Sining PSE (Philippine Stock Exchange) 2012 National Art Competition will bring home not only the coveted prize money, but also an original piece by multi-awarded sculptor Juan Sajid Imao, son of National Artist Abdulmari Imao.  Imao, whose peripheral vision has already been lost to an inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, crafted the trophies especially for the competition. The trophies are a brass, stylized depiction of an artist's palette, with fluid lines that subtly spell out the PSE’s name. "We are fortunate to have Sajid's talent to depict the themes of Sining PSE. When the grand winners bring home the award, they do not only bring home their individual laurels but an important piece of history," PSE President and Chief Executive Officer Hans B. Sicat said in a press release. Sajid is also responsible for designing the trophies for Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' Stakeholders' Awards and the Ramon V. Del Rosario Award for Nation-Building. He is the same artist behind "Kasaysayan Bawat Oras," the giant working sundial at the Bonifacio Global City, as well as the brass crucifix of Ateneo de Manila's Church of the Gesu. The Sining PSE opened to non-professional artists in June in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the unification of the Makati and Manila bourses under the PSE. The nationwide competition's awarding ceremonies will take place on November 9. The elder Imao heads the panel of judges for the sculpture category, with sculptors Eduardo Castrillo and Jose Mendoza as fellow jurors. Meanwhile, National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, more popularly known as BenCab, heads the painting category along with Dr. Jaime Laya, Felice Sta. Maria, Raul Isidro, and Alfred Esquillo Jr. Grand prize winners for each category will receive P100,000 each, second prize winners will receive P40,000 each, and third prize winners P20,000 each. — Amanda Lago/DVM, GMA News