Metrobank offers P500,000 to young artists in 2017 MADE competition

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) launched on Friday the annual Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) contest for 2017 with the promise of providing young Filipino artists with the opportunity to further develop their career and craft.

All artists aged 18 to 35 who have never held a solo exhibition are eligible to enter the MADE Recognition Program in Painting.

Sculptors who have held a solo exhibition, meanwhile, may join the MADE Recognition Program in Sculpture.

Winning artists—one for sculpture and two for painting—will each receive P500,000.00 worth of financial assistance and membership to the MADE-Network of Winners (MADE-NOW), the alumni organization of MADE’s roster of awardees.

At the launching of the 2017 MADE competition were guest of honor Silvana Diaz (standing, 4th from left), Metrobank Foundation, Inc. Assistant Executive Director Irene Labitad (standing, 3rd from left), S Maison Assistant Mall Manager Grace Mindanao (standing, 4th from right), and former VP and artistic director of Cultural Center of the Philippines Deanna Ongpin-Recto (standing, 5th from right). Joining them are members of the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence-Network of Winners. Metrobank Foundation

Prominent artists in MADE-Now include Andres Barrioquinto, Sajid Imao, Norman Dreo, and Alvin Florentino, who had their works displayed with recognized artists such as Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, Jan Leeroy New, Anton Del Castillo, Salvador Ching, and Ferdinand Doctolero.  

Among the artworks on exhibit is 'The Attack of the Righteous' by Mark Andy Garcia, grand prize winner in Metrobank Art and Design Excellence 2007. Metrobank Foundation

A "Mula" glass trophy designed by visual artist and MADE awardee Noel El Farrol will also be given to the three grand winners.

MBFI opened this year's competition through “Art MADE Public”, a series of art exhibits and lectures held in line with the National Arts Month this February and their initiative to bring art to the public.

Opened last Feb. 3, the traveling exhibit features master artists and past winners including 2007 winner Mark Andy Garcia and his winning painting “The Attack of the Righteous.”

The work "reflects symbols that cause conflict between good and evil like rumbling tanks, church awaiting destruction, and a robotic monster," MBFI said.

Art MADE Public will run from February 3 to March 23 at S Maison (February 3-9); SM City Bacolod (February 24-27); SM City San Lazaro (February 25-28); SM Lanang Premiere, Davao City (March 2-5); and SM Center Angono (March 16-23). —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News