Metrobank recognizes filipino artists anew

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), under the astute leadership of president Aniceto “Chito” Sobrepeña, recently recognized this year’s Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) awardees through a virtual awarding ceremony and exhibit opening.

Pangasinan Fourth District representative and House Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts chairperson Christoper “Toff” de Venecia served as guest of honor.

In its 37th year, MADE adopted the theme “Spectrum: The Art of Possibilities” to invite every Filipino artist to tap into the expansive realm of creativity and transpose their spectrum of ideas into works of art that mirror the human experience and reshape the world anew. Amid the current times, MADE continues to be a purveyor of visual arts, amplifying the reach and voice of local talents and visionaries.

Out of a record-breaking 701 entries, eight Filipino painters and sculptors emerged as this year’s batch of MADE awardees, with Ariosto Dale Bagtas and Lymuel Bautista as the Grand Awardees for the Painting Recognition Program and Kathleen Dagum as the Grand Awardee for the Sculpture Recognition Program.

Guest of honor: Pangasinan Fourth District representative Christoper “Toff” de Venecia

“The hundreds of entries submitted across the country are a testament to our local artists’ passion to create,” Sobrepeña said in his welcome remarks. “They convey visually the heartbeat of a people facing a global disease, the fears, the anger, the sadness, and loss, but also the hope, the courage and the tenacity to fight this enemy with kindness, generosity, and compassion.”

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Each artwork submitted was carefully evaluated and underwent strict deliberation among the members of the board of judges, which determined the roster of 2021 MADE awardees.