It was a celebration of Filipina artistry and women’s empowerment through art as SM Supermalls, BDO Unibank, Inc. and the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs (ZCME), announced the winners of the inaugural Sining Filipina art competition at an awarding ceremony and exhibition opening at SM Aura.
Hanna Joy Sayam from Negros Occidental and her artwork entitled “Pira-pirasong Tela ng mga Marias,” and Maria Gemma San Jose from Ilocos Norte and her artwork entitled “Layers of Experience,” won top honors in the figurative and non-figurative categories, respectively. They each took home the P250,000 grand prize.
Luckyshia Jenielou Canonigo and Ma. Christina Baltero won second and third place, respectively, in the Figurative category, while Maria Melissa Sangoyo and Isabelita Rodillo won second and third in the Non-Figurative category. The second place winners each received a cash prize of P150,000, and third-place winners received P100,000 each. Additionally, all winners were presented with the ‘Sining Filipina’ trophy, crafted by sculptor and Zonta member Charming Baldemor.
Distinguished members of the diplomatic corps, business sector, and the arts community gathered to celebrate the winners and participants of the Philippines’ very first all-female national art competition.
Guests of honor—women leaders themselves—included US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils, Singapore Ambassador Constance See, Embassy of Denmark’s Madame Eva Fischer-Mellbin, Embassy of Nigeria Counsellor/Head of Chancery Charity Ekeadon Davidson, together with SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation President Elizabeth Sy and SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy.
Leading the awarding and exhibition opening ceremonies were SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, BDO Private Bank President Albert Yeo, and ZCME President Jeannie Abaya.
The pioneering competition, which provides a platform for women to express their unique perspective and narratives through art, received an overwhelming response with 732 entries coming from women of all ages from all over the country.
The esteemed panel of judges was composed of Metropolitan Museum of Manila President Tina Colayco, Ayala Museum Senior Curator and Head of Conservation Kenneth Esguerra, Ateneo Art Gallery Director and Chief Curator Victoria Herrera, renowned artist Mark Justiniani, and eminent sculptor Julie Lluch.
The awarding ceremony also marked the opening of the exhibition featuring the six winning works and those of the 72 finalists. Proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go towards the artist and ZCME’s charitable programs. The exhibition is ongoing until March 22 at the Upper Ground Level Atrium of SM Aura.
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