FOR THE 40th edition of Metrobank Foundation, Inc.’s (MBFI)Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) program, the theme of “Sibol,” meaning growth, highlights the evolution of its winning artists and the overall Filipino art landscape over the four decades of the competition’s existence.
“With a vision to provide hope and encouragement to Filipinos amid the challenges experienced in the 1980s, our late founder, Dr. George S.K. Ty, launched an annual painting competition which eventually evolved into a visual arts and design competition now known as MADE,” MBFI President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said at the exhibit’s launch on Sept. 19.
Art is “a mirror that reflects the soul of a nation, allowing Filipinos to express their minds and hearts,” he added.
“Looking back to the launch poster we released in 1984 with the tagline, ‘Artists of Today, Art Masters of Tomorrow,’ we’re thrilled to see how many of our MADE artists have flourished and become respected figures in contemporary art,” he said.
Thus, instead of the usual competition this year, MBFI opened a month-long retrospective exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M), to showcase “the growth of Philippine art and culture.”
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCEThe collection, curated by Sandra Palomar of the Foundation University in Dumaguete, presents winning artworks elevated by 2D and 3D experiences that engage the different senses. These are on the second-floor gallery.
Ms. Palomar said that art has the power to augment one’s faith and strength, especially because Filipinos are tactile by nature.
“I am glad that this exhibition will allow people to use other senses than just our sight to engage with the works in creative ways,” she told BusinessWorld. Arranged by decade, the interactive experiences are spread out among the winning works, which makes viewing the exhibit pleasantly surprising.
The first of these is Roberto Feleo’s August 6, which was among the top three works in MADE’s inaugural edition in 1984. Painted on polychromed wood, it’s title card is infused with the scent of old wood to give viewers a sense of the material used by the artist.
Meanwhile, Last Trip by Mark Justiniani, which won first prize in the Oil on Canvas category in 1990, is accompanied by a cassette tape and player. It allows visitors to play urban sounds as background music to the painting depicting fatigued jeepney passengers at night, brought to life with a distinct curvilinear perspective.
Mr. Justiniani was at the launch of the exhibit, where he echoed the importance of nurturing artists in a competition such as MADE. “I remember [that] with the prize money I bought my first easel,” he said.
Another memorable work is Jowee Aguinaldo’s Puro Kahig, Walang Matuka, whichportrays farmers who labor yet are unable to provide for themselves. The surreal 2023 Oil on Canvas grand prize-winning piece shows a bare dinner table as families helplessly look on. Its interactive element is a tablet that allows one to digitally draw food on the table.
Augmented reality, holograms, virtual reality, and digital canvas experiences allow many of the artworks to come to life and even move, thanks to technology provided by Samsung Philippines.
MADE EVOLUTIONOn the museum’s 3rd floor gallery are artworks of awardees whose practices have developed beyond their usual craft.
Some of the artists showcased here are 2001 painting grand prize winner Maria Taniguchi, whose work Untitled (Celestial Motors) now represents her growth using video; and 2010 painting grand prize winner Yeo Kaa, whose work ys003 shows how she has delved into sculpture using fiberglass resin.
An awe-inspiring work is the 2022 installation piece MANAnahi, put together by 2008 painting grand prize winner Raffy Napay. There are also rare woodblock prints by Elmer Borlongan, who isn’t immediately associated with that particular medium, and a 2017 mixed-media piece by Leeroy New, whose works have become increasingly resourceful and elaborate over time.
“By taking a break from our usual competition to revisit and reaffirm the mission of MADE, we’ve realized that our commitment to nurturing young Filipino artists and promoting Philippine culture has truly borne fruit,” added Mr. Sobrepeña during the tour of the works.
He also announced that MBFI is future-proofing next year’s competition with a streamlined submission portal, which was briefly shown at the event. In the meantime, MADE’s 40th anniversary exhibition aims to inspire young artists as they prepare for the 2025 program.
Sibol runs until Oct. 19 at The M in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It is open and free to the public. — Brontë H. Lacsamana
