Sunday, December 21, 2008 15th John Hay, Centecomm art contest By Adam O. Borja
FOR young and aspiring artists of Baguio, there is no such thing as an exclusive art venue. May it be in the exclusive pine-clad rolling hills of Camp John Hay, or in the Baguio Convention Center parking lot, art knows no boundaries.
On Saturday, more than 200 young artists braved the crisp and bracing December air coupled with a short afternoon drizzle at the Baguio Convention Center parking lot to come up with their art masterpieces.
The theme, in relation to the Baguio Centennial celebration's slogan of "Fostering a Culture of Caring," was the artists' interpretation of caring for the family this Christmas, and for the more matured Category C participants, about Filipino family values this Christmas.
Commissioner Edilberto Tenefrancia, who acted as point person for the Centennial Commission's committees on culture, arts and education, elaborated on the universality of art and its importance to the local community. "Beauty knows no boundaries, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder," he said.
Frederico Alquiros, chief executive officer of CJH Hotels Corporation and chair of the Share-A-Joy Foundation, said the annual art contest was brought out of the usual Camp John Hay venue to make a statement that the organizers are one with the whole Baguio community in the celebration of its 100th year anniversary next year.
He added the art contest is only one of many children-oriented Christmas offerings the Camp John Hay management is offering each year.
He cited the annual Christmas gift-giving to indigent children scheduled last Thursday at the Manor, the Save the Street Children Art exhibit also at the Manor, and the children's Christmas cantata five days before Christmas Eve.
To recall, the CJH Annual Art Contest was the originator of the popular Panagbenga sunflower logo used in the popular Baguio flower spectacle each February.
And Camp John Hay treasures each and every winning artwork produced in the past 15 years, having them framed and exhibited in a hall at Scout Hill.
Alquiros said the children's winning artworks are slowly growing to be a priceless collection that reflects different genres of Baguio art as seen from the eyes of children and teens.
This year, Special Education (Sped) student Winselle Espiritu, nine, bagged the first prize in Category A, for children aged 7-11 years old. Joshua Spark Cruz of Berkeley landed second, while Amanda Bacate of Sped finished third. Runners up are Angelica Ancheta and Christian Anne Trinidad, both of Sped Center.
In Category B for participants aged 12-16 years old, 14-year-old Allyzzhia Franco Astudillo of Berkeley emerged champion, with BCNHS students Mary Nina Payoyo and Cheyenne Anne Guerrero landing second and third place winners respectively.
Sped twin sisters Aimee Melissa and Angela Trinidad tied for the runner-up honors.
In Category C, for participants 17-21 years old, University of the Cordilleras artist Jozefyn Therese Brillantes grabbed the championship title, while Arnel Calya-en of Pucay National High School landed second and Jethro Reuel Mata finished third. Renz Herjae Ilao of the University of Baguio and Mike Jordan Portugues of PCNHS shared the runner-up honors.
Winners in Categories A and B were awarded P7,500 for the champion, P5,000 for the 2nd prize, and P2,500 for the 3rd prize. Honorable mentions received P1,500 each.
For Category C, the champion won a P10,000 cash prize, P7,500 for the 2nd place and P5,000 for the 3rd place. Honorable mentions received P2,500 each.
All participants were given certificates, while the winners also received special handcrafted trophies that have been the trademark of the CJH Annual Art Contest for five years now.
