44th Shell National Students Art Competition winners named

MANILA, Philippines - Renato “Ato” Habulan invited young artists to “tell the world the great stories of Filipino arts” during the awarding ceremony of the 44th Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC).

The social realist addressed the crowd at Ayala Museum composed mostly of student artists, and included corporate supporters, art enthusiasts, and families and friends of the finalists, sharing with them his observations of the history of Philippine Art.

The longest-running countrywide art contest exclusive to college students remains a reliable index of artistic talent and current social concerns. Habulan regards the competition “as a window of opportunity” for young artists.

The NSAC’s winning entries were deliberated by top Filipino artists as jurors. In the oil/acrylic category, the winners are Dale Erispe of the Technological University of the Philippines, grand prize; Ronante Maratas of FEATI University, second prize; and Jover Soriano of TUP, third prize.

Honorable mention awards were given to Kim Hamilton of Far Eastern University, John Marin of TUP, and Morgan Martinito of the University of the East.

For the watercolor category, the winners are Paul Christopher Adriano of FEATI University, first prize; Nolan Jose Alonzo of UP-Diliman, second prize; and Lance Kirby Yaneza of FEATI University, third prize. 

The three honorable mention awardees are Mark Lester Espina of EARIST, Vincent Navarro of UP-Baguio, and Catherine Salazar of TUP.

Jonathan Esguerra of the Rizal Technological University bagged the grand prize in the sculpture category with his “Idiot Box.” Second prize winner is Kris Abago of UP-Diliman. Francis Bejar, also of UP-Diliman placed third. The honorable mention awardees are Wiljoseph Magsino of Tarlac State University; and Rick Donald Manzon of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas.

In the Digital Fine Arts category, Erlinda Katricia Inciong of Adventist University of the Philippines won the grand prize. Other winners are Charmaine de Leon of UST, second place; and Hyacinth Lyn Laoke of UP-Diliman, third place. The three honorable mention awardees are Pamela Jaira Flores of UST; Shena Cuna of TUP; and Juan Miguel Bermudez of UST.

Six students won major prizes in the Calendar Art category (in Oil/Acrylic) with the theme “Alamat Noon Para Sa Ngayon.” They are UP-Baguio student Vincent Navarro, Jeminic Real of the University of Northern Philippines-Ilocos, John Emmanuel Salazar of TUP, Jhon Emerson Tejones of TUP, Emil Aldrine Alarcon of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and Roseller Huerto, Jr. of EARIST.