Made for excellence

As this year’s Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) national competition culminated, business executives, government officials, prominent figures in art and design, socialites as well as members of the diplomatic community joined the Metrobank Foundation in recognizing the creativity of young and promising Filipino artists and designers.

The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies established by Dr. George S.K. Ty in 1979. Over the last 30 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs, notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and College Scholarship Program. The Foundation also has a grants program that assists NGOs and government in the fields of education, healthcare, and the arts. Metrobank Foundation celebrates Filipino excellence and presents wellsprings of hope in the future of our nation.

The highlights of the event held at Le Pavillon last Sept. 18 were the awarding of the 2009 MADE winners and the grand unveiling of the winners’ exhibit. The guests’ senses were stimulated by a night of good food, cheerful music and a good, long look at the winning entries in the painting and sculpture competitions, as well as the creative vignettes of the winning designs in architecture and interior design competitions that were on display. Impressed by the talent of these young artists, several art patrons purchased pieces that were on exhibit.

“With 25 years of celebrating the creativity of young Filipino artists and designers, the Metrobank Foundation, through MADE, remains steadfast in its commitment to honor the outstanding talent of our youth,” Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said. “We hope that this recognition,” he continued, “will bring their careers to greater heights, in the same way it did to our past awardees.”         

Among those who graced the event were renowned artist Betsy Westerndorp and Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota of the Republic of France who served as guests of honor. Members of the MADE final board of judges — among them national artists Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera and Napoleon Abueva, potter Jon Pettyjohn, Agnes Arellano and yours truly, among others — were also present to show their support for the winners. Former MADE winners, such as Salvador Ching, Duddley Diaz, Elmer Borlongan and Bobby Feleo, came to honor this year’s awardees.