The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) announces the start of accepting entries for this year’s Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) during the kick-off event of the annual Art MADE Public on January 24 at The Podium, Mandaluyong City. Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña graced the opening.

With the theme “Unleash”, MADE’s overarching goal is to unleash the “artist within.” The last 35 years saw MADE setting the platform to empower and showcase the ingenuity of the Filipino creative. In the years to come, MADE is poised to further unveil more talents, encouraging more visual artists to create greater masterpieces.

MADE Beginnings

MADE was conceived and pursued by the late Metrobank Group founder and chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty in 1984. At that time, the nation was at the throes of economic crisis and socio-political unrest. The Filipino people were in search for meaning and hope beyond the uncertainties of the time. While many took their struggles to the streets, Dr. Ty discovered much promise and potential in Philippine visual arts as an alternate creative venue for people to be heard. The competition brought a newfound confidence among emerging Filipino artists to express themselves through the canvas. Art was harnessed as a tool to challenge assumptions and reframe perspectives on the then prevailing unfortunate realities.

Thirty-five (35) years since, MADE has continued to be a platform for discovery for the most passionate and persistent creative visionaries in the country. To date, more than 400 visuals artists and design professionals have been recognized. A majority of them are now carving significant names in the local and even international art and design scenes. But more than a competition that breeds artistic talent, MADE has evolved to become an implementing entity that facilitates a generation of fresh ideas for social development.

Art MADE Public: Icons MADE

To make the celebration of MADE’s 35th year more meaningful and relevant, MBFI once again stages the annual “Art MADE Public” with the goal to spread awareness on Philippine art and heritage through a series of exhibits, lectures, and workshops which will be facilitated by renowned Filipino artists as well as architectural and heritage practitioners, in select venues nationwide.

The Art MADE Public series is in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), SM Supermalls, and United Architects of the Philippines.

Guests, art enthusiasts and patrons, mall goers, and the public in general get to visit an exhibit divided into 3 sections—MADE through the Years; Icons and Masterpieces; and an exhibit featuring National Artist for Architecture Francisco Mañosa.

The “MADE through the Years” walks visitors to a timeline of MADE’s 35 years of implementation giving them glimpse as to how the program was conceived in 1984, including its milestones and evolutions through the years.

On the other hand, the “Icons and Masterpieces” photo exhibit showcases both national icons and up-and-coming icons in the Philippine art and design community who were past MADE awardees. Alongside their black & white portraits are their MADE winning artworks and designs. Featured are: Mark Justiniani, Elmer Borlongan, Manny Garibay, Raffy Napay, Mark Andy Garcia, Jan Leeroy New, Yeo Kaa, Ar. Gelo Maňosa, Ar. Jonathan V. Dangue, Ar. Gerard Thomas Joson, and IDr. Wilhelmina Garcia.

The Art MADE Public kick-off at The Podium also featured the lectures “Overview of Arts in the Regions” by Manny Garibay; “Junk Not Creative: Social Entrepreneurship in Design” by IDr. Wilhelmina Garcia; and “Sustainable Tropical Architecture” by Ar. Gelo Maňosa.

Among the featured art icons in the exhibit are 1990 Metrobank Annual Painting Competition First Prize winner Mark Justiniani (above photo), together with his winning art piece entitled “Last Trip.” Another is 1992 Metrobank Annual Painting Competition Second Prize Winner Elmer Borlongan (below photo) beside his masterpiece entitled “Tampuhan.”

JunkNot Eco Creatives founder and 2007 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) Grand Prize winner IDr. Wilhelmina Garcia (seated, center) together with officers from the Metrobank Foundation and SM Supermalls pose for a photo showcasing furniture made from waste materials.

Members of the MADE-Network of Winners (MADE-NOW) together with MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña.

Call for Entries

The MADE Painting Recognition Program is open to all Filipino painters aged 18-35 years old who have not held a solo exhibition. The MADE Sculpture Recognition Program, on the other hand, is open to all professional Filipino sculptors who have staged at least one solo exhibition. The deadline for submission of entries is on or before May 10, 2019. Interested participants may register online through bit.ly/2019MADEPaintingSearchEntryForm.

Two (2) grand awardees for the Painting Recognition Program and one (1) grand awardee for the Sculpture Recognition Program will be chosen by a distinguished panel of judges. They will each receive PhP 500,000.00 cash assistance and the “Mula” glass trophy designed by visual artist and MADE winner Noel El Farrol. The grand awardees will be recognized during Metrobank’s 56th anniversary in September and will also become members of the MADE-Network of Winners (MADE-NOW), the alumni organization of past MADE awardees which implements pay-it-forward projects that benefit marginalized sectors.

Upcoming Events

As a travelling exhibition, Art MADE Public will also visit the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) in the Visayas region where artworks of Ilonggo past MADE awardees will be exhibited for the first time in one venue.

In partnership with the United Architects of the Philippines, registered architects who will att

end the lectures will get the Professional Regulatory Commission-Continuing Professional Development (PRC-CPD) accreditation.

Held within the National Arts Month celebration, the Art MADE Public will run from January 24 to March 28, 2019 in cultural institutions and various commercial spaces at the SM Supermalls. The exhibits will be followed by lectures and workshops on art & design, culture, and heritage.

Specific schedules are as follow: The Podium (January 24-31); SM Angono (February 28-March 7); ILOMOCA (March 14-April 14), and SM Lanang Premier, Davao (March 26-28).

For more details, interested participants may contact Therese De Silva at telephone number 898-8856; mobile number 0925-714-6954; email therese.desilva@metrobank.com.ph; or visit MADE Facebook page @MADECompetition.

Tags: 2019 Press Releases