Date Posted: June 24, 2019
State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced the winners of its 15th national art competition in the awarding rites held at the GSIS Theater on 7 June 2019.
Three top winners and five honorable mentions were selected under each of the three open-themed categories of the competition.
In the mixed media category, Manuel Lotsu Q. Manes won first prize for his entry Lumad. Alfredo Baluyot’s Through Ups and Downs and Demetrio L. de la Cruz’s Fragile (After Amorsolo, Fernando) placed second and third, respectively.
“Lumad” by Manuel Lotsu Q. Manes
“Through Ups and Downs” by Alfredo Baluyot
“Fragile (After Amorsolo, Fernando)” by Demetrio L. Dela Cruz
Ariosto Dale Bagtas grabbed the top prize in the nonrepresentational category for his work Happiest Place. The second and third prizes went to Rodel G. Rillera and Jovel M. Ruivivar for their entries Insekto sa Lipunan and Women on Top, respectively.
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“Happiest Place” by Ariosto Dale Bagtas | |
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“Insekto sa Lipunan” by Rodel G. Rillera | |
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“Women on Top” by Jovel M. Ruivivar |
The top three winners in both categories each received Php400,000, Php300,000, and Php200,000. Honorable mentions were each given P100,000.
Winning the highest award in the sculpture category was Gilbert A. Miraflor’s Untitled. Felix Baldemor (Rise of the Enchantress) and Geofrey Ranchez (Battle) bagged second and third places, respectively. The three went home with Php300,000, Php200,000, and Php100,000, respectively. Honorable mentions each received Php50,000.
| “Untitled” by Gilbert A. Miraflor |  |
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| “Rise of the Enchantress” by Felix Baldemor |  |
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| “Battle” by Geofrey Ranchez |  |
Honorable mentions in each category were as follows:
Mixed media: Eliseo P. Perreras Jr. (Kabutihang Natatago); Demosthenis Campos (Malayang Paglalayag); Edu Perreras (Ngiti Sa Likod ng Lumang Litrato); Noel Soler Cuizon (Pamimintana: Mga Alegorya ng Entabladong Bayan); and Rymer G. Gengoni (Trash Becomes One’s Grave).
 “Ngiti Sa Likod ng Lumang Litrato” by Edu P. Perreras |
 “Kabutihang Natatago” by Eliseo P. Perreras Jr |
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 “Malayang Paglalayag” by Demosthenis Campos |
 “Trash Becomes One’s Grave” by Rymer G. Gengoni |
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 “Pamimintana: Mga Alegorya ng Entabladong Bayan” by Noel Soler Cuizon |
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Nonrepresentational: Brando L. Bati (Leader); Melvin B. Culaba (Reklamation Raket); Jonathan V. Rosales (Coming Back); Michael Toms G. Semaña (Leap of Faith); and Irejules L. Dela Cerna (Imbalance).
 “Leader” by Brando L. Bati |
 “Reklamation Raket” by Melvin B. Culaba |
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 “Coming Back” by Jonathan V. Rosales |
 “Leap of Faith” by Michael Toms G. Semaña |
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 “Imbalance” by Irejules L. Dela Cerna |
Sculpture: Dante C. Palmes (Fighting Cock); James F. Dayrit (Lagalag); Jeanroll C. Ejar (Banig); Fredinel F. Banaag (Homage to Ibarra/Enigma); and Arnel D. Garcia (Genealogy 101).
 “Fighting Cock” by Dante C. Palmes |
 “Lagalag” by James F. Dayrit |
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 “Homage to Ibarra/Enigma” by Fredinel F. Banaag |
 “Banig” by Jeanroll C. Ejar |
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 “Genealogy 101” by Arnel D. Garcia |
All winning art works and honorable mentions have now become part of the GSIS art collection. They are on display at the GSIS Museo ng Sining in Pasay City until 2 August 2019.
The number of participants to the annually held art tilt has exponentially increased since its launch in 2004. On 4 May 2019, GSIS received a total of 1,125 entries, the highest number in the contest’s history.
The viewing schedule in the GSIS Museo ng Sining is from Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed on holidays and specified days. For inquiries, clients may call (02)479-3588 or (02)859-0395, or email museum@gsis.gov.ph.