Sining Filipina: Empowering the next generation of women
Into a patchworkquilt, lovingly sewn together by women workers, are woven the hopes and dreams of a community coming alive in the artwork by Jou’ee Anne Aguinaldo titled “Panatagpi-tagpi” that won first place at the Sining Filipina “Her Earth, Her Future” art competition.
Holding a giant symbolic check for P250,000, Jou’ee, 29, still dazed from besting hundreds of entries from all over the country, humbly declares, “This is a big deal for me because it shows that women artists can do what male artists can and they can even do it better.”
In the local art scene dominated by men, this young artist from Los Baños, Laguna, is out to disprove that men are better artists than women.
And how is Jou’ee spending her prize money?
“I will buy art materials,” she quickly replies. With her fiancé Jomar smiling beside her, she adds, “And use some for my wedding next month.”
Standing next to Jou’ee is second-prize winner Gleanne Gentizon, 27, beside her painting titled “Si Nanay sa Merkado” (mixed media). Her love affair with the paintbrush started as a child, and today, she still paints in between her work as a medical technologist at a hospital in Guimaras, Iloilo. Her winning work was inspired by her trips to the market with her mother.
“I always enjoy tagging along with my nanay whenever she’d go to the market,” says a beaming Gleanne, looking pretty in a pink dress with flowers sewn all over it. “As a child, I remember we would ride a sikad (padyak or pedicab) going to the market.”
In her painting, Gleanne captures the throbbing pulse of humanity and tells us why there can’t be a more vibrant place than a market.
What will Gleanne do with her prize money worth P150,000?
“I will use it for home repairs,” she quickly replies.
And then we spot fourth-prize winner Ma. Jezshelle Nicole Asares, 29, beside her work titled “Bayan ni Juana.” This is her second time to join Sining Filipina, now in its second year. She was a finalist last year. Nicole’s artwork speaks of — and speaks to — every Juan who dares to dream.
“Bohol (her native province) is full of farmers, ordinary people who make life extraordinary,” she relates with a big smile.
Armed with a Fine Arts degree from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Nicole pursued art as a full-time career. But of course, she will use her prize money for her future art projects.
Celebrating women’s creativity
“This nationwide art competition, which celebrates the creativity and talent of Filipino women, holds a special place in our hearts at SM Supermalls,” says Grace Magno, SM Supermalls VP for corporate marketing, as she welcomes guests to the awarding ceremony and exhibit opening of “Sining Filipina: Her Earth, Her Future” at the SM Aura Atrium.
She adds, “At SM Malls, we champion women year-round. This month alone, we hosted a summit empowering young girls to break barriers, a women’s run to promote a healthy lifestyle, and forums educating our personnel on creating safe spaces.”
Joanne Zapanta-Andrada, Zonta Club of Makati & Environs president, is happy to share that the art entries this year were far better in terms of quality. “Many artworks showed that saving the environment (this year’s theme) is an effort that may span generations,” she points out. “Every artwork is a declaration of the artist’s worldview and sentiment. Each artwork is a story, and this competition is a platform for women (artists and non-artists) to bear witness to each other’s story. For me, this is a powerful mechanism for the artist to manifest her beliefs and for the viewer to learn and be inspired.”
Inspiring women
In this competition, there’s certainly no shortage of inspiration. Sining Filipina shines the light on the other inspiring winners of this strictly-for-women-only art contest: Meneline Wong, “Like the Sierra Madre,” 10th place; Lea Marie Dacula, “Guardians of Tomorrow,” ninth place; Monaliza Domer, “Ang Tunay na Kulay ng Bukang Liwayway,” eighth place; Maria Gemma San Jose, “You: The Sustainability Leader,” seventh place; Mary Joy Go, “Hiyas: Start Within Me,” sixth place; Sunshine Vitto, “Salamin ng Kahapon,” fifth place; Shara Mae Chan, “Pinagtagpi-tagpi,” third place.
The board of judges, whose names were not revealed until the day of the awarding, consisted of Kenneth Esguerra, Ayala Museum’s head of conservation; Tina Colayco, president of The Metropolitan Museum of Manila; Julie Lluch, multi-awarded sculptor; Mark Justiniani, a painter known for his socio-political works; and Victoria Herrera, director and chief curator, Ateneo Art Gallery.
Showing their all-out support for our women artists were the distinguished guests led by Madame Endo Akiko of the Embassy of Japan, Madame Roswitha Brieger of the Embassy of Austria, SM Hotels and Convention Centers president Elizabeth Sy, and Chinabank executive VP and head of the financial markets segment Ollie Palanca.
Yes, women can—absolutely! Because whatever they do, whether it’s art or not, they do it with a lot of heart!
