THE UST Atelier Alumni Association, Inc. on Saturday recognized over 100 fine arts and architecture graduates during the first Outstanding UST Atelier Alumni Honours at the Dr. Robert C. Sy Grand Ballroom of the Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.
The alumni awards recognized former Varsitarian art directors Remy Boquiren and Carla Gamalinda, former photo editor Jilson Tiu, and former artists Jose “Pinggot” Zulueta, Saturnino “Ninoy” Lumboy, and Romeo Remalante.
National Artist for Visual Arts Jerry Elizalde Navarro and Larry Tronco, former Varsitarian art editors, and artists Cenon Rivera and Teofilo Montifar received the posthumous Edades Award, conferred on outstanding graduates of the defunct College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA).
Sculptor Eduardo Castrillo, visual artist Angelito David, and watercolor artist Leon Pacunayen were the other recipients of the Edades Award.
Named after National Artist for Painting Victorio Edades, the award was given to Atelier alumni who embodied the qualities of the former School of Architecture and Fine Arts Director Edades (1934-1941), whose work helped build the University’s fine arts program.
College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) Dean Mary Christie Que, Asst. Prof. Mary Ann Venturina-Bulanadi, “Pugad Baboy” artist Pol Medina Jr., Plaza Mayor tiger statue designer Anthony Zamora, and world-renowned painter and sculptor Manuel Baldemor were also among this year’s awardees.
According to Eleazar “Abe” Orobia, the project head of the event and the secretary of the Atelier Alumni Association, the purpose of the awards night was to showcase exceptional artists from UST, who can serve as role models to students.
“Sa UST, napakaraming magagaling pero minsan hindi nabibigyan ng parangal. So it’s time to give back,” Orobia, a painting alumnus, told the Varsitarian.
“Ang dami-dami from the creative field ang nag-branch out at gumagawa ng kagila-gilalas at katangi-tanging kanilang mga kontribusyon,” he added.
UST Atelier Alumni Association, Inc. President Marissa Pe-Yang spearheaded the event with Orobia.
The alumni awardees were each given resin medals, which resembled an anting-anting (amulet), hand-painted by printmaker and advertising arts graduate Janos Delacruz.
The alumni awards night also recognized those who excelled in teaching, cultural work, and other chosen fields.
“Meron tayong magagaling na photographers, na businessmen – hindi man nila na-practice ang kanilang creative faculties, nagagawa pa rin nilang maging mahusay dahil sa kanilang artistic minds,” said Orobia.
The awardees were nominated and selected by a screening committee advised by Raul Isidro, a multi-awarded abstract artist.
Orobia said consistency in excellence, exceptionality, and sustainability of Atelier alumni were considered in selecting this year’s awardees.
“‘Yung sustainability factor, that’s the most important e. [Dapat] you’re inspiring the next batch of generational creatives,” he said.
The Atelier Alumni Association, Inc. is the alumni organization of the defunct CAFA and successor colleges College of Architecture and CFAD.
