The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) recognized this year’s Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) awardees through a virtual ceremony held on September 22, 2022.
The virtual ceremony put a spotlight on the awardees and allowed them to tell their own story—their inspirations, the symbolisms found in their winning piece, and their innovative and technical processes. More than just being visual communicators, the awardees recognize their more important role of recording the country’s history through their art. Fourth District of Pangasinan Representative and House Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts Chairperson Cong. Christopher “Toff” de Venecia graced the event as the guest of honor.
Guided by the theme “Emerge: Step into Your Boundless Future,” the 2022 MADE invites Filipino artists to step out of the shadows, and channel their ingenuity into imagining and exploring infinite possibilities. The annual art tilt beckons local painters and sculptors to create art that mirrors the human experience and showcases unconfined potential.
“Through this undertaking, we are reminded of essential truths at a time of crisis: that art-making cannot be stifled, and that it offers opportunities for community-building through an examination of shared experiences. Amid adversities, Filipino artists strive to create masterpieces that mirror our society’s stories and sensibilities,” shared MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña.
Out of the 537 entries received this year, four young and aspiring Filipino painters and sculptors were adjudged as this year’s awardees. Two (2) Grand Awardees for the Painting Recognition Program and one (1) Grand Awardee for the Sculpture Recognition Program received a prize of PhP 500,000.00. One Special Citation awardee for the Sculpture Recognition Program received a prize of PhP 100,000.00, on the other hand.
The awardees also received a trophy designed and created by 2007 Metrobank Foundation Prize for Achievement in Sculpture Juan Sajid. Called “More,” the design signifies the growth of hundreds of homegrown talents recognized and presented to the larger sphere of the art community. The awardees also join the MADE-Network of Winners, the alumni organization of past winners that implements pay-it-forward projects in aid of marginalized sectors.
PAINTING RECOGNITION PROGRAM
GRAND AWARDEE
Oil/ Acrylic on Canvas Category
Melvin John S. Pollero
NINUNO
Acrylic on Canvas
122 cm x 91.4 cm
GRAND AWARDEE
Watermedia on Paper Category
Raymundo Y. Ador III
DALAWANG LIBO’T DALAWANG PU
AT HANGGANG KAILAN?
Watercolor on Paper
46 cm x 61 cm
SCULPTURE RECOGNITION PROGRAM
GRAND AWARDEE
Mateo D. Cacnio
POLITIKA
Aluminum Metal
56 cm x 47 cm x 61 cm x 30 kg
SPECIAL CITATION
Jun Orland E. Espinosa
UNDERNEATH
Wood
58 cm x 53 cm x 58 cm x 18 kg
More than just being an annual arts competition, MADE has emerged to become a strong social development program that supports the artistic endeavours, career growth, and overall welfare of both aspiring and established Filipino visual artists, and provides a platform for the country’s arts and creative communities to flourish.
During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, MBFI established MADE-Community Aid and Relief for Emergency Situations (MADE-CARES) to provide financial aid to art and culture practitioners who were affected by the pandemic. This 2022, a grant worth PhP 1 million was donated to the Visual Arts Helping Hands Foundation for the medical needs of sick visual artists. MADE has also partnered with arts and culture institutions—The M, Linangan Art Residency, Department of Foreign Affiars, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines—to support the artistic development and capacity building of visual artists.
Since 1984, MADE has evolved from being an art competition to becoming a venue where art is used as a tool to examine circumstances, encourage conversations, and challenge actions for national transformation. To date, 421 visual artists and design professionals have been recognized. A majority of them are now carving significant names in the local and even international art and design scenes.