Confessions of an ex-judge

Come on, let’s see a show of hands. How many of us have read about those poor souls who sing the blues each year they fail to get the National Artist Award?

Or, for that matter, who among us has been within earshot of the snivels of these us-against-the-world types who always feel entitled to being in the winners’ circle, yet always exclude themselves from art competitions?

We’ve all heard of sore losers, right; but ever heard of sore judges? Ever picked up the murmurings of those guys who are actually part of the selection process – those among us who have to sift through the surfeit of entries submitted by hopefuls dreaming of pocketing the mullah, lifting the signature trophy and taking the career fast track?

My guess is – never. Although, quite honestly, I have been toying with the idea of publicly chastising some of the mediocre, or outright copycat works that I’ve been seeing.

But this really isn’t the proper venue for it. You see, I am also trying to increase support for the arts, and so it would not be wise to diminish the efforts of corporations or commercial galleries who deserve to be commended for the goodness of their intentions.

There can be no mistake about appreciating this fact. Here are entities that could have put their money and resources elsewhere, but chose to funnel it into projects that recognize, encourage and support Philippine artistic talent, according to the criterion, parameters and rules that they had set.

And so, I’m not going to thump my chest and say that a particular entry truly deserved to win, or bewail that so and so did not. Prudence tells me to keep my personal choices mine, and to say, with utter conviction, that these are good selections because they fulfill the organizers’ vision, and encapsulate how they define and wish to typify local creative excellence.

De gustibus non est diputandum. In the end, there is no use arguing over matters of taste.

Moreover, there is an unwritten code among judges that prevents us from publicly airing our grievances or weighing the merits of any outcome arrived at by what we call a "collegial decision," which is guided by the mantra of "mutual respect."

Let me just wind down with this comment then, which may be worth thinking about as we contemplate the future shape and outcome of art competitions in this country.

By some strange happenstance, the origin of which I am still trying to figure out, it’s funny how judging art, not just here, but elsewhere – take Britain’s Turner Prize for example – boils down to a tally sheet of percentages and rankings, as if choosing the winners were like voting GMA over FPJ over Bro. Eddie.

It’s still a mystery to me this business of democracy in art, when we all know that for a contest to be "credible" it can’t be judged by only one person, yet it is commonly accepted that the opinion of one can certainly have more weight than that of someone else. A graduated point system, perhaps, that can be assigned relative to the selector’s knowledge, exposure or reputation? A truly radical thought. Question is: Would any judge sitting in a panel agree to such an arrangement? That would certainly be the day!

All told, let me present and congratulate this year’s winners of ArtPetron’s Fourth National Student Art Competition, with the theme "Lumang Ani, Bagong Sali," in the oil and acrylic and watercolor categories. A category on black and white photography was also introduced in this year’s competition.

Your columnist included, the judges were: National Artist Napoleon Abueva, Felice Sta. Maria, Roberto Feleo, Mauro Malang Santos, Rosario Bitanga, Romulo Galicano, Petron chair Nicasio Alcantara, Petron VP-marketing Jose Campos and Petron VP-finance Antonio Pelayo.

Oil category: Winners: Orly Ypon of Cebu Academy of Arts for "Pamaling"; Florentino Impas, Jr. of Cebu Academy of Arts for "Abundang Ani"; and, Rochelle Cruz of UP Diliman for "Nights Catch"; Runners-up: Abraham Belen of UE Caloocan for "Pagmamahal"; Mark Andy Garcia of TUP Manila for "Poultry Raising"; and, Jesus Rona of The Living Christian Artist Workshop, Cebu for "Corn Harvest";

Watercolor category: Winners: Emmanuel Servito of UE Caloocan for "Lambat ng Kasaganahan"; Jose Pempe Ybanez of Cebu Academy of Arts for "Kurantay"; and, Darby Vincent Alcoseba of Central Visayas Integrated Arts Association for "Buhay Dagat"; Runners-up: Melbourne Paano of Cebu Academy of Arts for "Palina sa Pangat"; Mark Andy Garcia of TUP Manila for "Punong-puno ng Matatamis na Ngiti"; and, Fernando Ramos, Jr. of Tarlac State University for "Lupaing Ani’y Sagana, Pamana ni Ama’t Ina."

Your columnist was also part of the panel, which included Dr. Alice Guillermo, Prof. Eric Torres, Prof. Felipe de Leon, Eric Zerrudo, Constantino Tejero, and Gino Dormiendo, that chose the winners of Gallery Genesis’ 21st Kulay Sa Tubig Annual Invitational Watercolor Competition. Two of the victors, Delotavo and Manalang, have been elevated to the Hall of Fame for garnering three wins in the contest.

The top five winners are Salvador Convocar, "Shaman Shouting"; Antipas Delotavo, "Akit-Puhunan"; Domeng Labordo, "Kagingking"; Noli Principe Manalang, "Merry Abandon"; and Pablo Baens Santos, "Urban Renewal."

The top five runners-up are Fred Ramirez, "The Shadow of Life"; Adriano Valino, "Saranggola (Boka-boka)"; Caloy Gabuco, "Horizontal Paths"; Demetrio dela Cruz, "Bato-bato"; and, Sandra Dos Remedios, "Gold in the Sky."

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For questions, comments or suggestion, e-mail rlerma@ateneo.edu.