A Thomasian artist bagged the People’s Choice Award in the 32nd Pinoy Pride Visual Arts Competition last March 20 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Louis Rafael Espinosa, a junior painting student, garnered the most number of online votes for his work “Kulturang Dalisay,” earning him the special prize.
“I still feel very ecstatic about the results. I never thought that I would make it to the top 30. Being the last student to submit the entry at their office was worth it, amidst the huge anxiety I’ve felt during those times,” Espinosa told the Varsitarian in an interview.
“Kulturang Dalisay” shows the Philippine carabao and the Philippine eagle atop an ethnic garment adorned with rice crops at the sides.
“Sa pamamagitan ng isang obra, nais kong ipakita ang iba sa mga bumubuo ng maharlikang kultura ng ating bansa. Sa masalimuot na paghahabi ng ating mga katutubo, mga sariwang palay ng Banaue at mga munting hayop na sumisimbolo’t kumakatawan sa kasipagan at katapangan ng dugong Pilipino’t bansa. Ipagpatuloy lang nating ang pagbibigay halaga’t pagmamahal sa mga biyaya’t hiyas ng ating bansa upang tuamgal at yumabong pa ang mga ito,” its caption reads.
Organized by the Directories Philippines Corporation (DPC) and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), the 32nd Pinoy Pride Visual Arts Competition aimed to “bring to light things inherent in our national identity, culture and diversity.”
Paul Taladtad of the Adventist University of the Philippines won the grand prize for his “Jeeploma.”
Jayvee Valencia of Bulacan State University came in second with “Ngiti,” followed by Kenneth Leo Pamlas of Tarlac State University with “Bayanihan sa Bayan ni Juan.”
The competition ran from Feb. 26 to March 2.
