My club, the Rotary Club of Makati West (RCMW) staged the District-wide 14th Likhang Sining On-The-Spot Painting Competition for high school students at the Ayala Museum and Greenbelt grounds last Feb. 21, 2009, in partnership with Ayala Museum and our sponsors and patrons Petnet, JobsDB.com, 88DB.com, Trinity Insurance Brokers and MOF. There were about 160 registered participants from various schools and Rotary clubs.
This year's theme, "Pagbabago, Kalikasan, Kultura, atbp.," was a fitting topic for today's youth, who are more watchful and aware of events unfolding before them, both locally and internationally. Their views and opinions for needed changes are becoming louder voices in the community and can no longer be ignored. |
The competition was formally launched in a simple ceremony with opening remarks by DG Boyet Limon who touched on Rotary's services to the community. RCMW Pres. Bobby Lim, on the other hand, aptly elaborated on the interconnection of youth in lifestyle, talent, art as an expression and vocation, the Rotary mission and this year’s Rotary theme, "Make Dreams Real." President-Elect Fern Peña, meanwhile, related art as a creative human activity that our national hero, Jose Rizal, has pursued to make him a complete person. PP Larry Ocampo, the District Chairman of Likhang Sining, was also present to oversee the activities but, ever reticent, requested to skip making public remarks.
The participants were then scattered around the Greenbelt grounds to find inspiration for their art. Some of the budding artists preferred to be in groups, while others chose to work alone in quiet solitude, as most great artists do, to maximize their creativity. We were amazed at the students' talents seeing their art taking shape as we go around to check on their progress.
DGE Sid Garcia came to visit the event and watch the kid artists at work. He has been a key financial sponsor of this club project for several years now, and wants the 15th Likhang Sining to be a district activity again next year,. And, this time, to consider opening a category for college students or graduates.
PE Fern decided to incentivize the present Rotarians to stick around, leisurely pass time and promote fellowship, Cuban style. After all, it was a fine Saturday where all of us hardworking Rotarians could take a relaxing break, as it should be, in the true Rotary way. Present were IPP Phil Hagedorn with spouse Techie and their twins, Director Olaf came after the tapas and exchanged his intended coffee drink with MOJITOS, incoming Director Roman Azanza in shorts and crocs with wife Sally, Treas. Nory Reyes Lao, Dir. Jun Cuaresma, PP Roque Tordesillas, PE Eric Angeles, and Rtn. Paolo Delgado. My wife and kids were also present.
District officers in attendance were DCC for Youth Service PP Vhell Arias of RC Las Piñas East, DDCC for Interact PP Jojo Josol of RC Las Piñas West, DDCC for Rotaract PP Lilibeth dela Cruz of RC Parañaque Metro, and DDCC for YES PP Maning Oller of RC Muntinlupa North. Real Good President Nestor Dacillo of RC Las Piñas West and Rtn. Ju Abdulcadir of RC Makati Legaspi came to support the activity.
Using a true and tested formula to enjoy the cool breeze in the late morning and early afternoon, PE Fern ensured that Café M’s MOJITOS flows constantly. Pres. Bobby was dressed for the occasion wearing his Cuban-inspired guayabera polo shirt. In my case, the Cuban-inspired drink, in combination with my favorite Marlboros in the Makati outdoors, was a great treat. As an added boost, the unplanned and unavoidable viewing of "physiogonomically" designed creatures roaming randomly in the vicinity, created a heightened interest in art in its many forms and shapes. We were not snobs after all. Indeed, an animated discourse on such topic led to an inconclusive verdict, which only proves true the cliché that "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" and thus, the term "physiogonomic" will have several other meanings. Ask PE Fern for the details and accompanying gesticulations for a complete briefing.
Five hours later, it was judging time. Our judges, National Artist Juvenal Sanso, together with contemporary artists Fil De la Cruz and Pablo Baens Santos, made their way up to the judges’ room where all submitted artworks were laid out for the selection of finalists, from which, the 10 consolation prizes and 3 major winners were eventually selected.
The first prize was awarded to Edson Lacay of Arellano High School, second prize to Justen Paul Tolentino of St. Stephen’s High School and the 3rd prize was won by Jennifer Cruz of Ramon Magsaysay High School. The consolation prizes went to Jelo Almazar, Mark Fulgeras, Mark Anthony Agustin, John Bahram Aure, Luela Recaña, Bon Yamika Chua, Pamela Quinto, Joseph Reyes, Paolo Lobina and Rahmuel Jara.
Overall, the staging of the 14th Likhang Sining On-The-Spot Painting Competition was successful, in that we've had 138 quality pieces of art submitted. The judging standard was quite high that some participants opted to keep their artworks to themselves (since they were unhappy with the outcome and did not want to submit them for judging!).
It was fun and fulfilling and I look forward to a bigger and better 15th staging of Likhang Sining next year.
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