FINE ARTS students from various schools interpreted the theme “Message for Peace,” in this year’s annual interschool on-the-spot painting competition last Feb. 15 at the UST Benavides Garden.
“The message for this year, the message of peace, was very much in line with what is happening around the world,” John Carlo Sayco, assistant director of the UST Museum, told the Varsitarian.
Chester Sia of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman won first prize with his 30.5 x 40 in. acrylic on canvas.
Sia’s piece, titled “Tawag ng Kapayapaan,” depicts a dove holding a brown string connected to two tin cans.
“The first thing that came to mind is a dove, which upholds the message of peace. The dove with olive leaves in its beak has always been a positive representation of hope and tranquility of a being,” Sia said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
Mark Barbecho of Bulacan State University (BulSU) bagged second prize with his piece titled “It All Begin with Us,” a 30 x 40 in. oil on canvas.
The artwork shows two parents arguing, with their son caught in the middle and wearing a shirt with the peace sign and flowers blooming around him.
The work of Reynaldo Barredo Jr. of Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science (Earist), titled “Kailangan ng Daanan ang Digmaan Bago Magkaroon ng Kapayapaan,” bagged third place in the competition.
The 40.5 x 30.5 in. oil on canvas illustrates a white dove on blue background, holding a rifle from which blood drips.
Jemson Conje, another student from Earist, received first honorable mention with “Look Around and You Will See,” an oil and acrylic on canvas that depicts a figure of a man with various symbols imprinted on his body.
Jose Pamatian Jr. of UP Diliman bagged the second honorable mention with his piece titled “Universal Language,” which portrays a man playing his ukulele near a tree as birds fly around him.
Rhichelle Tabanera of Earist got third honorable mention with his abstract tactile design of doves and eyes with brown and gold touches, titled “Faith & Harmony.”
A special award from Metrobank was given to Ronneille Talavera of BulSU for his 30 x 40 in. acrylic on canvas “Untitled,” which shows a tearful eye reflecting the image of Jesus in Mount Calvary.
All winning artworks were put on display at the UST Main Building Lobby.
Founded by former UST rector Fr. Silvestre Sancho, O.P., the On-the-Spot painting competition marked its 79th installment since its first run in 1941.
