Final judging & exhibition
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Final judging & exhibition
Final judging & exhibition
Scan to watch the highlights of the 2023 MADE Final Judging
It is with great joy and admiration that I congratulate the winners of the 2023 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) for showcasing this generation’s remarkable ingenuity through their works of art. For nearly four decades, MADE has been a witness to the exceptional talent of many budding Filipino artists. It’s been a privilege to see how art has become a powerful medium for our young creatives to share glimpses of their lives and express their perspectives and worldview.
A Message from the Chairman Arthur V. Ty
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A Message from the Chairman
This year, MADE is poised to reach even greater heights. We commit to further strengthening the ties that bind us and take bolder strides to extend holistic support for the art community. I express my gratitude to the distinguished Board of Judges for taking on the important task of selecting this year’s winners. You are instrumental to ensuring the integrity and continued success of the competition.
To our deserving awardees, may you always keep the passion alive in creating meaningful pieces that resonate deeply in the consciousness of society. It is our hope that this victory will open the gateway to countless opportunities for you to hone your craft. Rest assured that Metrobank Foundation, through MADE, will continue to be your partner in pursuing artistic development and achieving sustainable careers. I invite the public to take a good look at the featured artworks at the exhibit. Let each piece remind us of art’s profound ability to bring us together as one community.
My warmest congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE)!
A Message from the President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña
with communities nationwide and working with the best industry practitioners.
As we approach the 40th year of the competition next year, the Metrobank Foundation commits to continue fostering the creativity and ingenuity of Filipino visual artists. Over the years, MADE has become one of the most sought-after competitions in the country and has since paved the way for many local artists to build sustainable careers.
Likewise, we will do our part in helping our audiences gain a critical understanding of art’s role in social development and selfactualization. We will continue to engage in purposive partnerships to establish spaces where art can thrive. Through the preservation of our art collection, we intend to create a tangible and lasting legacy in the Philippine contemporary visual art community.
This year’s theme, Connect, aligns with our advocacy to widen our reach and strengthen our ties with artists and art communities nationwide through the power of partnerships.
Let me extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who joined this year’s MADE Recognition Programs. We value the stories you shared through your wonderful creations.
Motivated by our collective aspiration to propel Philippine visual art to new frontiers, we will remain strongly committed to providing support for young artists to pursue excellence while building sustainable livelihood.
To this year’s awardees, I salute you for the power of your artworks. Your pieces give us a glimpse of a brighter future for Philippine art.
We aim to foster an environment where free creative expression can thrive and to ensure an effective search by engaging
I count on everyone’s support for this new breed of Filipino artists as they take bolder strides in the years to come.
A Message from the President 7
About the competition
Thirty-nine years of recognizing exemplary young Filipino artists. Thirty-nine years of forging ties with the nation and community through art. Looking back at tradition whilst braving the times, this is where meaningful connections are MADE. The splendor of Philippine art and culture lies in its regional diversity, hence, initiatives centered on amplifying and strengthening these connections were emphasized. With its onsite and online engagements, the 2023 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) program gathered 402 entrants from all over the country. Seven outstanding MADE Awardees emerged. Winners were carefully selected after a thorough and critical process of assessment and deliberation among our esteemed board of judges.
About the competition 9
Painting
RECOGNITION PROGRAM
INTERWOVEN NARRATIVES Apart from recognizing exceptional artistic skill and potential, the Painting Recognition Program of MADE also encourages artists to become active members of society that champion the social good in their respective works and practices. Thus, winning entries for this year took form as commentaries on relevant issues that both reflect a larger cause and the artists’ innermost feelings.
They weave together a shared consciousness that seeks to challenge normative social structures and inequitable conditions. Above all, these works reveal a collective sense of hope emboldened by the connections made with one another.
EXHIBITED WORKS Oil/Acrylic on Canvas Semifinalists ALFREDO BITOON JR. Makabagong Laroan ni Pepe (Toy Story) Oil on Canvas 100.5 x 76 cm 2023
ALMARIO TANGALIN Mahal Kita Anak, Kaya Nasaktan Ka Namin Oil on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
BEA MARIEL LACIERDA PREPARE Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
CARLO WENDAM Scourge of the Soul The Four Horsemen Revealed Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
CHRISTIAN PAOLO ESGUERRA Alipin ng Estado Oil on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
CLARK GLENN NEOLA Magulang Oil on Canvas 76.2 x 101.6 cm 2023
DALNOLD LAOTINGCO Bayang Pasan ng Mamamayan Acrylic on Canvas 121.91 x 91.44 cm 2023
DENNIS CALAG Severance Oil on Canvas 91.5 x 61 cm 2023
DENNIS PUZON Si Dugo at Si Pawis Oil on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
DHAN LOUIE BAUTISTA Who Created Who? Oil on Canvas 91 x 121 cm 2023
ELBERTO CABALLERO Talangka at Hagdan (Laro ng Buhay Patungo sa Tagumpay) Acrylic on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
EMERSON RABBON PUNO NG PAG-ASA PATUNGO SA MAKULAY NA BUNGA Oil on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
EXHIBITED WORKS 13
EZEKIEL JOHN RODIQUE Kayang-kaya Pag Sama-sama Acrylic on Canvas 122 x 91.5 cm 2023
FRANCIS ALINGCAYON Earth on Fire Acrylic on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
HONEY MAGLALANG Lies are Wishes Too Oil on Canvas 91.5 x 121.92 cm 2023
JARREN DAHAN Ako Pag-uwi Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
JEROME FADROGANE PINAGTAGPING KAHOY Oil on Canvas 122 x 91 cm 2023
JOHN JURI LOLONG Papel at Kalansing ng Metal Acrylic on Canvas 87 x 61 cm 2023
JOHN PAUL QUILALA Bulaan Acrylic on Canvas 60.69 x 45.72 cm 2023
JOHN-REY BENOSA PREAMBLE Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
JOSEPH DAVID REQUILME Leave a Light On Oil on Canvas 110 x 140 cm 2023
JOSEPH REUBEN GOOL Murder of Crows Oil on Canvas 60.96 x 91.44 cm 2023
JULIET OPIMA Nine Peaches Oil on Canvas 60 x 90 cm 2023
JUNRIO CABAHUG 5/1 Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
14 EXHIBITED WORKS
KEVIN AULDREN VILA Kalbaryo Sa Kamay ng mga Dayo Acrylic on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
KEVIN GRAPA Kapitulo Dieciocho Oil on Canvas 122 x 91.44 cm 2023
KEVIN ORTEGA KAYOD KALABAW Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
KRISTIAN DE LA VEGA Ang Muling Paglipad ng mga Munting Pangarap Acrylic on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
LEONARD ANSIONG The Theatre of Action Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
LORDZELL PEREZ Kaputol Sa Pusod Oil on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
MARIO BINONGO Ganito, Paano, SIGE! Oil on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
MARK ANTHONY FRANCISCO Meet: Memory of Existence Acrylic on Canvas 76 x 102 cm 2023
MCDENVER MICKLAUS MANLANGIT Art in the New Normal Oil on Canvas 61 x 91.44 cm 2023
MIECKEL JUN BORERO Grabidad Acrylic on Canvas 76.2 x 121.92 cm 2023
MORRIS WILNAR LABANA PAHINGA Oil on Canvas 60.96 x 101.6 cm 2023
PATRICK PURA Sabor A Mi Oil and Acrylic on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
EXHIBITED WORKS 15
RALPH ALLEN SEMILLA Phase Out Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
RAMFIL JOHN DAGOMBOY Ang itim na tupa ng pamilya Dela Cruz Oil on Canvas 76.5 x 114.5 cm 2023
RAYMUND OYANDO The Life Cycle Cadence, Beginning & End Oil on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
REANNA MARIELLE DELA PAZ Ang pagdalaw ng Karimlan sa aming pangarap, tuwing sasapit ang dapit-hapon. Acrylic on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
RICO BASTASA Tahimik na Hinaing. Mga Daing ng Kaluluwa ni Juan Oil on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
ROMMEL TINGZON Inugatang Hubad na Katotohanan Oil on Canvas 64.77 x 55.88 cm 2023
ROSS KIM ALMENDRAS Bago Magbukang-Liwayway Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
SHERWIN PACLIBAR Hakbang: Dusa, Alsa at Pag-asa Acrylic on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
16 EXHIBITED WORKS
Watermedia on Paper Semifinalists CARMELITO PALOMARES JR. “Sock”rifice Watercolor on Paper 61 x 40.6 cm 2023
JEAN CHRISTINE CADANO HANGTUD ASA MUABOT Watercolor on Paper 70 x 50 cm 2023
JOHN MICHAEL RAMOS The Caged Life Acrylic on Paper 56 x 76 cm 2023
KYLE DOMINIC SARTE Our Devotion Against The World Watercolor on Paper 76.2 x 55.8 cm 2023
MAYUKO KOBAYASHI Maria’s Sacrifice Watercolor on Paper 72.3 x 54 cm 2023
MICHHAEL JAY RAMOS PLASIBO Watercolor on Paper 66 x 57 cm 2023
RESTY FLORES Kalbaryo ng Maralita Watercolor and Ink on Paper 76.2 x 50.8 cm 2023
ROMEO III NUNGAY Mga Birheng Bilanggo sa Lupang Pinangakuan Watercolor on Paper 76.2 x 55.8 cm 2023
EXHIBITED WORKS 17
Jowee Anne Aguinaldo Grand Awardee Oil/Acrylic on Canvas
The Filipino idiom “isang kahig, isang tuka” refers to the meager day to day living of taking only what is enough. The phrase directly translates to “one scratch, one peck” which describes the behavior of chickens incessantly looking at the ground nipping for food. However, in Jowee Anne Aguinaldo’s oil on canvas painting, the title suggests a timely expression related to the plight of farmers across the country. In Puro Kahig, Walang Matuka, the farmers are bent downwards, perpendicular to each other sowing over barren land. They stand over monoblock chairs with empty plates delicately placed on their backs, closely chained in an unending cycle of work. Their intertwined bodies form the image of a dinner table, a symbol of togetherness and connection for the family. Yet, the artist instills the composition with irony—the irony of working tirelessly to put food on everybody’s table except for their own. Looming over the center image, a group of people caressing their stomachs and holding spoons stand behind. Monochromatic figures contrast with the red tinted bodies of the workers, perhaps teeming from exhaustion and heat. More so, the farmers’ clothes allude to the colors of the Philippine flag, echoing the central message of the work. Despite agriculture’s contributions as the backbone of the country, the industry rarely receives support. Burdened not only by their own hunger, the living conditions of Filipino farmers continue to worsen. Low wages, unpredictable climate, lack of agricultural reforms and infrastructure, and many more. Aguinaldo highlights these painful truths to raise awareness to the situation of the farmers whose harvest we enjoy.
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Puro Kahig, Walang Matuka “All Scratch, No Peck” Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023 PAINTING AWARDEES 19
Dexter Cinco Special Citation Oil/Acrylic on Canvas
Dexter Cinco introduces Prima Custos as a “homage to elderly members of society” who have imparted their wisdom and care towards the youth. In Latin, the title translates to first guardian which aptly describes the roles they’ve played in the lives of the youth. The image is cut in two parts with each half conveying a story of its own. The artist captures her grandmother’s likeness with a forlorn yet tender expression. Occupying more space on the surface of the painting, Cinco features how the human eye holds unspoken truths and emotions with just one look. The woman gazes into the distance with a knowing look on her face, almost like she’s watching her life play out in front of her. A sense of calm washes over her as she knows that the younger generation will stay beside her just as she’s done for them. The artist does not shy away from portraying aging as an inevitable aspect of life, finding beauty in a lived life. In Prima Custos, Cinco maps out personal history like lines and impressions pressed on skin in her portrait of her grandmother. Displayed in her careful attention to detail, it shares the longing of wanting to understand the lives of the older generation. The closeness of the artist to its subject imbues the work with the value of care and love that can only be found in the bond between parents and their children. The work is deeply personal yet carries the warmhearted message of loyalty and honor to the people who have raised us.
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Prima Custos “First Guardian” Oil on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
PAINTING AWARDEES 21
Jonas Miguel Arlegui Special Citation Oil/Acrylic on Canvas
Everyday, more people are born into the world and more objects are created. One might believe that as these numbers increase, building connections would be easier to achieve as well as maintain. However, the specters of modernism haunt with a looming sense of isolation and separation that deeply affects our relationships and especially our faith. In Jonas Miguel Arlegui’s Pagitan, the artist opens up a rift between earthly objects and beings in his landscape of monotony and incongruous shapes. A landfill and a mass of people cover opposite ends of the landscape, defying the laws of gravity while tilted vertically. The individuals stand close together but they seem alienated by each other’s existence. With their backs facing the audience, it is difficult to discern their dispositions but dark shadows tell us enough about the atmosphere of the setting. It’s as though they’re waiting for something from beyond. The only light that passes through in this painting comes from the backdrop of the cloudy sky, but communication lines hovering in different directions obstruct the view. Regardless, Arlegui inserts religious allegory in his work with the telephone pole that bears the image of the cross. Lines meet and intersect as they journey to their destinations, similar to the lives on Earth. Jonas Miguel Arlegui reminds us that the connections we make during our time spent on Earth saves us from isolation and despair.
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Pagitan “In-Between” Acrylic on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023 PAINTING AWARDEES 23
Jerome Santos Grand Awardee Watermedia on Paper
In ha(PAG PAG)kaing pinagkainan, Jerome Santos sets a table for three served with refried bones and chewed up leftovers overflowing in buckets. Complementary piles of rubbish stack behind and small critters move around asking to share portions. The group of men dining together turn their attention outside of the frame, unbothered by the chaos of their surroundings. Their faces are painted in nonchalant expressions paired with their bodies drawn in relaxed positions, suggesting that they’ve grown accustomed to such scenes. If it weren’t for the absurdity of the background, the painting could well portray a scene from everyday life. The use of watermedia lends the work a rough and gritty texture that would otherwise be difficult to replicate with other mediums. Pagpag, meaning to shake off dirt, is the practice of scavenging for scrap food from restaurants and fast-food chains to be cooked and served again as a fresh meal. The extreme poverty prevalent in the country has forced Filipinos living in informal settlements to turn to impoverished solutions for survival. Risky alternatives such as consuming pagpag is often considered as the closest and cheapest option to stave off hunger. The painting offers a unique perspective on the lived experiences of many Filipinos. It repurposes the juxtaposition between humor and wit to the weight and seriousness of this issue without straying from what it is trying to say. Jerome Santos’ depiction of pagpag sets off a deeper discussion into the series of interconnected issues—one that begins with the firsthand impacts of mass consumption and material culture to poverty-stricken communities.
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ha(PAG PAG)kaing pinagkainan “(PAGPAG) Recycled Leftover Food” Watercolor on Paper 66 x 48.2 cm 2023
PAINTING AWARDEES 25
Zarlien Delgado
Some Threads are Made of Flesh and Blood is a multi-generational family portrait that treads the line between craft and fine art to portray an enduring story of honor and love that is nurtured at the home. The work details Zarlien Delgado’s family history of dressmaking that started from her grandmother and passed on to her by her mother. The practice is deeply threaded in the fabric of her life and through this painting, she hopes to immortalize the legacy that the women in her family have created.
Special Citation Watermedia on Paper
The title takes on visual emphasis as calligraphic words are written over the symbolic image. In the painting, the artist palpably visualizes a passion so deep that it takes root in one’s heart and soul, so much so that it takes on a tangible form that connects generations together. A thread being pulled from the grandmother’s chest is further attached with more lines until it is sewed and tied together into a cloth that drapes gracefully on the ground. These lines carry the vital knowledge and legacy passed on over the years. Stained by a crimson red, the color evokes fervent emotions of love and devotion but also calls to the rigorous work and effort given to reach this far. At its core, the painting interlaces narratives on domesticity, femininity, and maternity that resonates a feeling of warmth and embrace. The work questions the fundamental roles that mothers play in the lives of their daughters, shaping the women that they eventually become.
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Some Threads are Made of Flesh and Blood Watercolor on Paper 51 x 71 cm 2023 PAINTING AWARDEES 27
NATIONAL FINALISTS
JAY CONDENO Sa Pag Urtanan Nin Ardaw Buda Buran “In Between the Sun and Moon” Acrylic on Canvas 73 x 103.5 cm 2023
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JOHN DARREL EVASCO Nakabiting Pangako “False Belief” Oil on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
JUSTINE ERIKA ABE Kinsenas “The Fifteenth” Watercolor and Gouache on Paper 70 x 54.7 cm 2023
MARK KIM ARCENAL Remedy Acrylic on Canvas 121.92 x 91.44 cm 2023
CLEM STEVE HUERTE Bukas Makalawa “The Day After Tomorrow” Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 91.44 cm 2023
NATIONAL FINALISTS 29
AERON JOSHUA DIZON Monkey Business Acrylic on Canvas 91.44 x 60.96 cm 2023 JIRAH LABANZA Bosom Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023
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KENNETH MAMARIL HOUSE-WIFE Oil on Canvas 91.44 x 121.92 cm 2023 JOSEPH LUIGI ALMUENA Limang Daan at Dalawang Pung Pisong Lukot “Crumpled Five Hundred Twenty Pesos” Acrylic on Paper 55.8 x 88.9 cm 2023 NATIONAL FINALISTS 31
Sculpture
RECOGNITION PROGRAM
ROOTED FROM WITHIN MADE encourages artists to explore a wide array of mediums and materials that serve as the mediator between its object and subject. The prized works for this year’s Sculpture Recognition Program embody an awareness to the sensibilities of material as a means to explore tangible representations of the conditions we live in. These works are grounded in a transformative process that
is rooted from within and gradually grows towards different directions. The artists look into how the individual and the spaces that they occupy are inextricably tied to the world around them.
EXHIBITED WORKS Sculpture Semifinalists BEN JOHN ALBINO Unbox Non-sag Epoxy 57.5 x 37 x 37 x 11 cm 2023
DENMARK DELA CRUZ KARIMLAN Resin, Non-sag Epoxy, Wood, Oil Paint 60.96 x 57.15 x 57.15 x 20 cm 2023
DINDO ALAGANO GAEA’S WOMB Fired Clay, Glazes, Glass Shards 39 x 35 x 41 x 8 cm 2023
JAN ANDREW DENILA Tao nagpunla, Tao nagkabiyaya, Tao nagsira, Tao Kawawa Stainless Steel, Epoxy Resin, and Wood 59.4 x 48.2 x 58.4 x 24 cm 2023
JONAS MARK SIVA INTERTWINED Wood 59.5 x 31 x 33 x 17.5 cm 2023
JUAN JAVIER GARCHITORENA ALTAR NG PINAGTAGPI-TAGPING IDOLO Wood 48.26 x 32.51 x 33 x 2.5 cm 2023
MELCHOR SABARIZA Kayang kaya Basta’t Sama-sama Wood, Metal, Resin, and Epoxy Clay 48.26 x 30.5 x 53.3 x 21 cm 2023
RAISA ALTHEA LUZ Happiness in Me Glass 48.9 x 8.5 x 31.5 x 14.7 cm 2023
ROLANDO MANUEL JUCAR A Mothers Love Epoxy Clay Putty 48.26 x 30.5 x 28 x 16 cm 2023 EXHIBITED WORKS 35
Abril Dominic Valdemoro Grand Awardee Sculpture
Abril Dominic Valdemoro upholds the significant roles of jeepney drivers as public workers and cultural icons in his marine epoxy resin sculpture titled, Last Trip. The artist displays ingenuity and skill by melding together local materials with classical visual elements. The relaxed, life-like stature of the man follows the concept of contrapposto. On a circular platform, the figure rests his entire weight over one leg with the other leg slightly bent. Consequently, the shoulders and the hips are parallel but slanted in opposite directions. The dynamic pose creates an S-shape curve moving down the body. Moreover, the artist incorporates jeepney placards redesigned as an armor and winged headpiece; pieces that allude to Hermes, the Greek god of speed and travel. Regardless, the sculpture maintains its distinctive Filipino character with familiar elements. The man dons a simple outfit: sleeveless shirt, ripped denim, and slippers while holding a hand towel draped over his shoulder. On his left side, the driver holds his travel essentials, a coin box and a signboard. The inscriptions “God Bless Our Trip” and “In God We Trust” corroborate religious motifs that are often seen on public transport vehicles and display our vibrant culture and identity. The sculpture embodies the qualities of the Filipino spirit—one that remains strong and unrelenting in the face of struggle. Jeepney drivers represent thousands of Filipinos who embark on their own journeys. Above all, Last Trip honors the enduring dedication and commitment of jeepney drivers on the road.
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Last Trip Marine Epoxy Resin, Metal, Wood, Acrylic Paint, Sticker 61 x 23 x 23 x 2.5 cm 2023
SCULPTURE AWARDEES 37
Michael Art de Leon Special Citation Sculpture
Water is the sustaining life force for all forms of existence. It covers 70% of the Earth and constitutes more than half of our bodily fluids. Water’s symbolism flows into social and cultural systems, affecting the way we interact and exchange with one another. We are often governed by our incommensurable thirst as we find ourselves drawn closer to the surface of the water. In his resin sculpture titled Mundong Pinagisa ng Tubig, Michael Art de Leon explores the interconnectedness between water and people. A figure of a man is depicted partially submerged in a pool of clear blue liquid. The artist’s use of resin to materialize water suffuses the work with dimension and dynamic movement, achieving the look of still water. His hands wade gently through the water and ripples around the crystallized shape of the water spur in various places. The scene feels tranquil, almost primal; capturing an intimate moment between two bodies, of man and of water coalescing. The ivory-like wash of the figure and the glass-like finish of the water display the fragile and tense conditions that surround the forces they represent. Particularly, the artist comments on the politics of water and how issues on regulating access to necessary resources have tidal effects on how daily life is experienced across time and place. In search of peace, the sculpture invites us to reexamine how our primordial connection with water could potentially transform the way we perceive the world and act upon our environment.
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Mundong Pinagisa ng Tubig “World United by Water” Resin 40.64 x 39.37 x 54.61 x 5 cm 2023 SCULPTURE AWARDEES 39
Board of Judges
Board of Judges A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON
On behalf of my fellow panelists, I congratulate this year’s MADE awardees for their artistic rigor and ingenious allegories. Not only do their artworks reflect truthful conditions and enduring values of Filipinos—they urge careful consideration of the persistence of figuration in Philippine contemporary art.
Sandra Palomar currently lives and works in Dumaguete and is the Chair of the Foundation University Fine Arts program. As an independent consultant for exhibitions and studio management, she established Palomar Fine Arts Services (PFAS) in 2010 to provide logistical solutions for art projects and collections of studios and cultural institutions. She previously served the Metropolitan Museum of Manila as the Director from 2012-2015. To promote the work of regional artists, she co-founded a non-profit co-work space, Arts and Design Collective Dumaguete, Inc. (ADCDI), in 2023 that envisions a community of creatives that strive for excellence through training and mentoring.
The board of judges expected no less than to learn from artists under a post-pandemic mindset and engage in their search for visual authenticity. It required us to step beyond our comfort zones and find a connection with each other and each entry before passing the fairest and most critical evaluation. Never has there been a wider selection of expertise from jurors across the country and we commend the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) for channeling change in the arts through diversity. The competition remains a beacon of hope for creative voices as its diligence and direction evolve. May our decisions mirror henceforth the spirit of excellence and empowerment that MBFI advocates.
Sandra Palomar
Artist, Educator, Consultant Chairperson, 2023 MADE Board of Judges 44 BOARD OF JUDGES
A MESSAGE FROM THE CO-CHAIRPERSON
This year’s MADE Competition has been a remarkable opportunity for emerging artists to showcase their talents and pave their way toward a successful career in the visual arts. Drawing inspiration from our collective recovery from the pandemic, concerns of food security, and the impactful sacrifices made by our overseas workers, these artists brilliantly captured the strength and heart of the Filipino people. As Co-Chair of this year’s Board of Judges, I am honored to be a firsthand witness to the transformative power of art. Art has a unique ability to help us understand ourselves and each other, transcending language barriers and crossing borders. It is a force that unites us and celebrates our shared humanity. I commend MADE for upholding the integrity of the Competition and fostering collegial processes that uphold the essence of artistic expression. Programs like this are crucial in encouraging artists to share our nation’s rich tapestry of stories and preserve our cultural heritage. Mabuhay ang sining ng Pilipinas!
Maris Holopainen
Founder, Qube Gallery Co-Chair, 2023 MADE Board of Judges
Maris Holopainen is an economics graduate from the London School of Economics and has lived a nomadic life traveling around the globe. She was the Chairperson of Southwestern University in 2012–2015. She has worked with many artists and is an avid art collector herself. Holopainen shares her passion and advocacy for the arts with the establishment of Qube Gallery in 2012. Representing young and local artists at domestic and international shows, the Qube Gallery in Cebu maintains its relevance to the community by collaborating with guest curators and adjunct specialists for their special events, projects, and exhibits while staying true to their aesthetic vision. Qube Gallery is a member gallery of Artsy, the world’s largest and premiere online art marketplace and has participated in international art fairs across Asia and Europe. BOARD OF JUDGES 45
Board of Judges
46 BOARD OF JUDGES
Laya Boquiren-Gonzales Heritage Specialist and Educator
Richard Buxani Sculptor
Laya Boquiren-Gonzales holds a PhD in Philippine studies from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has written several art books. She is a recipient of Fellowships at the ICCROM World Heritage Leadership Program and the University of Cordoba Erasmus Mobility. Boquiren-Gonzales is the former Deputy Executive Director of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation. She is currently the University of Asia and the Pacific Arts Department Chair.
Richard Buxani’s metal sculptures are bent and welded into shape with a mix of influences ranging from pop art, religious imagery, popular icons, down to architectural sensibilities. His works display a sense of balance and scarcity of elements, an approach that can be attributed to his architecture background from the University of Santo Tomas. Buxani’s dynamic and contemporary universal approach to sculpture simultaneously redefines his own discipline, domesticity, and regionality. To date, he has participated in multiple exhibitions—a two-man show and 18 solo exhibitions. His works have been exhibited internationally in the USA, Italy, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, and South Korea.
Board of Judges Golda King Painter
Kublai Millan Visual Artist
Raffy T. Napay Visual Artist
With her 14 years of experience as a full time painter, Golda King ponders upon how her artistic practice dwells with finding purpose and uplifting the lives of her fellow artists. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting in 2013 at The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. Since then, she’s been awarded four artist residencies in Iceland, Vermont, France, and Japan. Her works have been exhibited in various group exhibitions locally in Cebu and Manila and internationally in San Francisco, Oakland, Iceland, Tainan, and Singapore.
Kublai Millan has steadfastly advocated for Mindanao art and culture throughout his artistic career. His contributions to the Mindanao art scene have continued to gain national recognition from his giant sculptures, founding of the Mindanao Art Fair, and creating the Lunang Mentorship Program. The in-depth art mentoring program supports and encourages emerging Mindanaoan artists with their careers. With his distinct style and subjects that relate to the culture of his hometown, the artist often partners with local government units and other institutions for his large sculptural pieces. He also undertakes several commissions from tourism boards and churches around Mindanao. Kublai Millan works with a diverse set of mediums such as photography, paint, digital art, and public art.
Raffy Napay, 2008 MADE Awardee for Watermedia on Paper, is recognized as one of the most notable contemporary Filipino artists. His use of various threads, cottons, and textiles in his compositions makes for a unique visual language that prompts new ways of seeing the world. In 2013, Napay received the Ateneo Art Award where he won artist residencies at Liverpool Hope University in the United Kingdom and at Artesan Gallery + Studio in Singapore. He participated in the 10th Florence Biennale and in the 57th and 58th Venice Biennale. Napay was also recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines as one of the Thirteen Artists Awards recipients for the year 2018.
Board of Judges 47
Weaving Stories Together As we’ve learned to navigate new spaces and brave new horizons, we also realize that the ties that bind us together are not easily weakened nor destroyed but are strengthened through time. Forming meaningful connections helps us realize the countless possibilities and potentialities stored for the future. In its 39th year, MADE continues to provide opportunities for creative individuals and collectives to reconnect with the public in this post-pandemic world. Building upon the initiative of extending ties to the regions, linkages with various art groups, institutions, and communities were further established and fortified this year. Hybrid options were purposely integrated with the 2023 information campaign to reach young artists digitally and physically. MADE reached 600 creatives from schools and cultural hubs in Baguio, Laguna, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro and 382,000 users online. Apart from connecting with artists, MADE is also dedicated to their advocacy of making art more accessible to the public. Former MADE awardees and experts representing their localities were engaged in conversation through the Art MADE Public program. This served as a platform to discuss relevant themes and issues in Philippine contemporary art. Lastly, MADE aligns its partner institutions and communities to help fulfill our shared goals and engage with different sectors of the industry. These collaborations also serve as a celebration of the sustained connections MADE has formed throughout its decades of service.
MADE Manifesto Aligning with the past, present, and future MADE celebrates its 39th anniversary of recognizing artistic prowess and helping uplift artists and communities around the country. Covering almost four decades of dedicated service for the benefit of Filipino creatives and Philippine art, this manifesto highlights the milestones of the program over the years.
SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ARTISTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE ART AND CULTURE
Recognizing the importance of nurturing the potential of the youth, we are committed to empowering young artists to achieve excellence in their craft and jumpstart successful careers in the arts.
The Painting and Sculpture Recognition programs of MADE have helped contribute to the success of the careers of the most impressive artists working in the industry today. The open-themed, nationwide competition recognizes the talent and boundless potential of its winners. The 2023 MADE Grand Awardees are granted a cash prize of P350,000 and an artist residency at Linangan Residency Program amounting to PHP 150,000. Their artistic careers are spotlighted through nationwide media
exposure. They also receive the More trophy designed by former MADE Awardee Juan Sajid as a tangible symbol of their blossoming careers and growth as artists. FREE AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION, EFFECTIVE SEARCH, AND A CREDIBLE BOARD OF JUDGES
Winning works from the competition become part of a remarkable artwork collection that aims to honor their artistic achievement and inspire generations of creatives for years to come. In a great effort to connect with young artists all over the country, MADE takes extra steps to effectively reach a broader audience with their online and onsite information campaigns. This year MADE received a diverse range of entries with 129 from the National Capital Region (NCR), 158 from Luzon, 72 from Visayas, and 43 from Mindanao—half of these submissions came from first-time entrants. In harmony with this, the panel of judges also hail from varying regional roots and fields in the industry. Their expertise and professionalism help in conducting a fair and critical evaluation of the entrants’ works.
Through the MADE Recognition Programs, we aim to elevate excellent young artists into prominence, and help them carve a path towards long-term success. We are dedicated to fostering an environment of creative freedom and expression, where artists from all over the Philippines can confidently express their ideas and worldview. We take critical steps in ensuring an effective search by engaging with creative communities nationwide. We follow a stringent assessment and selection process to ensure that the results of the competition are credible and acceptable. We work with only the best industry practitioners to find promising young artists with the potential to revolutionize Philippine art.
Information Campaign
SUPPORT FOR ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE PURSUIT OF CONTINUED EXCELLENCE
Beyond recognition, we believe that excellence entails a commitment to growth. We support artists in realizing their boundless potential by providing them opportunities not only to hone their craft, but also to develop their career and livelihood as artists. Through MADE’s Artistic Development Program, we provide avenues for awardees to pursue further education, local and international exposure, and career enhancement initiatives. This is our promise: to uplift the lives of young artists by empowering them to forge sustainable and fulfilling careers in the arts.
enhancement initiatives. This year, the Linangan Art Residency scholarship provides winners the opportunity to hone their craft, nurture their own connections to their culture, and foster a practice that is geared towards the community. MADE Awardees become eligible for grants for their first solo exhibition. Moreover, winners are inducted into the MADE Network-of-Winners (MADE NOW), an alumni organization for awardees to strengthen ties and form connections.
Relevant art is built on a meaningful relationship with its audience. We aim to nurture communities and individuals to have a critical understanding of art’s role in social development and self-actualization. We offer accessible experiences for Filipinos to channel their creativity and connect with art. We invite our stakeholders to be advocates of Philippine art and the welfare of creatives.
The public’s participation and involvement in MADE’s programs is part of the integral process of developing Philippine art and culture. MADE sets this pillar to action with Art MADE Public, a series of open-access talks on relevant topics and themes on Philippine art, culture, and heritage. It brings art closer to the public and sparks dialogue about art’s place in society and how it can serve the social good.
The potential that young artists hold today will soon be shaped into inspiring success stories for future generations. MADE’s Artistic Development Program (ADeP) leads MADE awardees to the path beyond recognition and towards honing their capacities through the artistic development fund. ADeP offers awardees opportunities for further education, exposure, and career
THE FORMATION OF A CRITICAL AUDIENCE
Courtesy of Linangan Art Residency
Additionally, digital audiences are engaged through a series of posts on MADE’s social media platform with content ranging from former MADE awardee features, career guides for young creatives, and highlights about ongoing partnerships and initiatives with stakeholders. It acts as an online archive readily available for the public. Click here to watch the videos!
This year, the talks took on online and onsite forms namely “Kwentuhang Artista”, “The Color of Change”, and “Locally MADE” with former MADE awardees and provincial experts as guest speakers.
Art MADE Public
MADE seeks out alternative paths for growth with its partnerships with communities and institutions. These endeavors are aligned with MADE’s mission of going beyond recognizing exemplary Filipino creatives and becoming a strong pillar of support to the local art community. MADE continues its collaboration with The M (previously The Metropolitan Museum of Manila), to bring art closer to the public and develop a deeper appreciation for the arts. This year, MADE celebrated the grandeur and diversity of Philipine art and culture with various regional institutions and collectives particularly, The Galila Arts Festival of the Anakbanwa Creative Residency Program, Naga City People’s Council’s Rigmat Arts Festival, 23 Sampaguita’s Sining Eskinita, and the Luzon Art Fair. PURPOSIVE PARTNERSHIPS
Creativity thrives where there is collaboration. We aim to foster relationships with other institutions who share in the mission of supporting young artists and using art as a tool for positive change. Together, we strive to create spaces where artists can come together to inspire, uplift, and celebrate one another.
Partnerships
These programs and events enrich the region’s experience of local art and culture as well as partake in the strengthening of ties with creatives nationwide.
TANGIBLE LEGACY TO PHILIPPINE ART AND CULTURE THROUGH THE PRESERVATION OF OUR COLLECTION
We believe in the transformative power of art, and its ability to inspire excellence, engage communities, and empower society. We are committed to promoting and preserving art that captures the essence of the Filipino creative spirit. It is our privilege to care for artworks that reflect the soul of our nation. It is our mission to make these works available for every Filipino.
What comes after a tradition of recognizing excellence and championing the growth of Filipino artists is a legacy left behind for the future generations. These works reflect the image of a nation passionate in their creative pursuits. Thus, it is MADE’s initiative to ensure
that the permanent collection of winning works are well-preserved and taken care of. An art collection that is available for the public through various art institutions, programs, and events across the country—promoting and expanding the scholarship and research for Philippine art and culture.
EMPOWERING CONNECTIONS These pillars reflect MADE’s commitment to sustaining and contributing to the ties between art and society. MADE stands at the forefront of making and nurturing artistic careers. In the face of unprecedented change, Filipino artists consistently push the boundaries of what it means to be connected—to the self, to the community, and to the nation.
Purposive Partnerships
Purposive Partnerships
Samsung Samsung’s sustainability journey is built into the product experience, transforming the way television is experienced in the Filipino household. It prioritizes the environment with initiatives that include renewable energy, reduction of carbon footprint, and eco-friendly packaging. The SolarCell Remote was developed as an extension of Samsung’s efforts to reduce waste. The low-power remote control is made from discarded fishing nets, and features a solar cell panel which can be charged by natural and indoor lighting and radio frequency. Since 2021, Samsung has reduced approximately 200 million disposable battery waste. Samsung uses AI to analyze what’s on the TV screen and a room’s light levels to distribute light accordingly and as needed. This brings down monthly power consumption by up to 23%. Since 2019, Samsung has engaged users in upcycling the packaging materials of its TVs into repurposing them at home. Packaging has become more sustainable by removing unnecessary materials such as minimizing ink print, removing staples, and eliminating dispensable resources. With Samsung, connection is made possible through cuttingedge technology that elevates and improves art experiences. Samsung’s Lifestyle Collection was used to transform the MADE 2023 exhibition into an immersive space that allows audiences to touch on their own passions and be part of the worlds created by our artists.
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Visit samsung.com/ph for more information
Purposive Partnerships
The Metropolitan Museum of Manila In its almost five decades of history, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila paves a new path with its move from its original location in Roxas Boulevard to the urban landscape of Bonifacio Global City. Founded in 1976, the museum is shaped by its core mission-vision and philosophy of Art for All which emphasizes the importance of accessibility and inclusivity to the public. As part of its unrelenting commitment, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila reimagines its vision of a society that embodies a deep sense of appreciation for the arts and culture by reintroducing itself as The M when it began previewing exhibitions in its gallery spaces towards the end of 2022. The bold curatorial direction of The M is characterized by a dynamic interdisciplinary and multicultural approach to art exhibition programming in a space that can accommodate a broad range of audiences. The museum engages with domestic and international contemporary art and artists who dwell on relevant discourses and experiences that inform our understanding of society. MADE’s collaboration with The M helps cultivate art spaces that allow meaningful connections between art, the artist, and the audience. It nurtures a greater understanding of our heritage and stands as a guide in navigating the past, present, and future of Philippine society.
Scan the QR code or click here to learn more about the M Purposive Partnerships 59
Purposive Partnerships
Project PEARLS More than a non-profit organization, Project PEARLS is a powerful movement guided by a heartfelt promise to help uplift the lives of Filipino children in need by giving them a chance with education, literacy, empowerment, nutrition, and healthcare. Through their mission and vision, they aim to break the cycle of poverty and move towards better opportunities for their future. Project PEARLS extends its reach all across the country from Tondo, Manila to Zamboanga Sibugay. One of their programs, Brain Booster, underscores their central mission of bringing together Filipino culture and the creative spirit of arts and crafts. With over 700 scholars, Project PEARLS promotes growth and development along with enriching our cultural heritage. Art opens up new ways of understanding the world and adds value to our experiences. It is considered a bridge to growth, understanding, and preserving Filipino heritage. MADE’s partnership with Project PEARLS invites scholars to experience the vibrant array of works presented firsthand, providing inspiration and forming meaningful exchanges. To commemorate this collaboration, hand-crafted tote bags made from upcycled flour sacks were designed by the women of the G.R.O.W. livelihood program. G.R.O.W. stands for Giving Resources and Opportunities to Women which empowers women to realize their value and reach their potential. This collaboration enriches MADE’s advocacy of bringing art closer to the public and providing empowering connections between communities and institutions mediated through art.
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Purposive Partnerships
Art+ Magazine Art+ is an independent publishing house and multimedia platform that spotlights the best of Philippine art to the world. Through its flagship publication, Art+ Magazine, together with its coffee table books, website, social media, exhibitions, and the Modern and Contemporary Art Festival (MoCAF), the local art scene has been chronicled consistently. Art+ Magazine has delivered news and events in the Philippine art scene for 15 years as the longestrunning magazine in the country dedicated to doing so. The pages of the magazine are covered with an arrangement of eye-catching artworks that display the ideas and values that convey the spirit of contemporary Filipino art. It can be read as a cross between a coffee table book and a useful resource on the ongoing history of Philippine Art. Additionally, Art+ has explored new topics such as travel and culture, design and architecture, the culinary scene, luxury, and fine living. As the premier media partner of MADE 2023, Art+ presents the 2023 MADE Awardees, MADE exhibit, and events on their platform to promote the artists and celebrate their achievements. Art+ partakes in Metrobank Foundation’s mission of recognizing up-and-coming, talented Filipino artists and giving them opportunities to distinguish themselves in the art scene. These initiatives have helped young artists navigate their artistic careers and shine a light on their boundless potential.
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Purposive Partnerships
Media Partners
Starting out as a one-man passion project in 2015, Kanto has since grown into an eight-year-old
Esquire Philippines is the number one source for everything that matters right now. Found
creative title that touches on all aspects of life of the modern creative. We aspire to highlight
exclusively online, esquiremag.ph delivers compelling content—thought-provoking features,
creative voices around the globe in need of a stage and to provide a venue for discourse on
necessary style guides, front-row commentaries on politics, business, entertainment, and
issues and themes that affect the creative professional. Proudly made in Manila.
more—so you, the curious and connected Filipino, never miss a beat.
The Philippine STAR is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines and the flagship title of
The Philippine Daily Inquirer is undeniably the country’s most credible and influential newspaper,
the country’s most successful and biggest print media enterprise, PhilSTAR Media Group. The
with more than one million nationwide readers daily. It is a trusted source of hard-hitting news
Philippine STAR champions its journalistic integrity by helping the truth prevail. It has a dynamic
and countless exposes. For more than 30 years, the Inquirer has been at the forefront of setting
content ecosystem that encompasses a range of multimedia platforms—including print, digital,
the agenda by chronicling everyday events with much ardor and enthusiasm. Its meaningful goal
and on-ground events; all dedicated to delivering impactful content that ignites conversations.
of making a difference in the everyday life of Filipinos continues to be the driving force behind
These thought-provoking materials resonate not just within its pages but also across the
its journalistic and corporate initiatives. As the country’s number 1 newspaper, the Philippine
diverse platforms.
Daily Inquirer will remain steadfast in its commitment to bring “Balanced news, fearless views” to readers when and where it matters.
Founded in 1900, the Manila Bulletin is the second oldest English newspaper in the Far East
CNN Philippines provides first-class news and information drawing on the strength and
and the oldest running newspaper in the Philippines. The Manila Bulletin has been continuously
worldwide newsgathering power of CNN, and the local perspective and expertise of Nine Media
serving the needs of its readers, advertisers, and followers and has become known as the
Corporation. It offers Filipino viewers a global perspective on key issues and trending stories
Philippines’ newspaper of record for over 120 years. It has lived up to its advocacy as “The
from around the world, together with in-depth local coverage.
Exponent of Philippine Progress,” keeping the public fully informed even in times of challenges and peril. 62 Purposive Partnerships
Purposive Partnerships
The Metrobank Foundation and the Metrobank Art
Special thanks to the following:
and Design Excellence wish to thank the following:
Videography and Photography:
Metrobank
Skye Studio
Samsung Philippines
Schild Studios
Metropolitan Museum of Manila GT Foundation, Inc.
Catalogue Designer:
Board, Trustees, Adviser, and Officers of the Metrobank Foundation
Dapat Studio (formerly Works of Heart)
Program Partners
Graphic Designer:
Artletics, Inc.
Lee Jerko Valdez
Visual Arts Helping Hands Foundation Project PEARLS
Art Writer:
Anakbanwa Residency Program
Janine Bernardo
23 Sampaguita Artists Collective Got Heart Foundation BAYO Foundation Luzon Art Fair De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Naga City People’s Council
The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) was established on January 8, 1979 by Dr. George Ty Siao Kian, sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank). As the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, MBFI implements various programs on education, visual arts, health, and in the recognition of excellence among key professions. It also maintains a dynamic partnership with other organizations that likewise provide services for the underprivileged and marginalized sectors of society and remains responsive to aid survivors of natural calamities in the Philippines and in Asia through relief and rehabilitation efforts.
VISION
Metrobank Foundation, Inc.
To be the country’s premier corporate
2nd floor, GT Tower International, 6813 Ayala Avenue
philanthropic foundation contributing a
cor H.V. Dela Costa Street, Makati City 1227
significant impact on social development.
www.mbfoundation.org.ph Tel No.: 8857-9351; 8857-5918
MISSION As the heart of the Metrobank Group, we live
Metrobank Foundation
up to our “Excel. Engage. Empower” roadmap
metrobankfoundation
that embodies who we are and what we do.
@MetrobankFound MetrobankFoundation MADE Metrobank Art and Design Excellence @metrobankartanddesign www.madeartdepot.ph