FROM over 138 entrants all over Negros Island, 67 students were handpicked to join the Sixth Victorias Milling Company Interschool Art Contest 2018 during the pre-qualifying rounds held at Delicioso Restaurant in Bacolod City, Monday, September 10.
Negros Occidental high school category had the most number of finalists with 37 chosen out of 87 students while 11 students out of 21 from Negros Oriental also qualified.
In the elementary category, meanwhile, 14 students from Negros Occidental will be joined by five qualifiers from Negros Oriental out of a total of 36 participants.
The contenders in the elementary category for Negros Occidental are Princess Skye Chiang, Marc Angelo Sumugat, Kliev Azareel Brodit, Jose Kriztian Juaneza, Bob Danielle Jaena, Angel Mag-usara and Francheska Drilon, all from Eliakim Learning Center in Bacolod City.
They will be joined by Abe Joyce Ereje from Talisay Elementary School, Jelix Pacifico Benitez and Bless Canonigo from Nazareth Institute Development and Training Foundation; Rhine Angeline Sabarillo from St. Scholastica’s Academy; Ma. Isabelle Maghari from Maranatha Christian College; Shairra Faye Tolentino from La Consolacion College; and Maria Yna Athena Grandia from Asuncion L. Lizares Elementary School.
From Negros Oriental, those who qualified in the elementary category are Kylin Clysdale Ilagan of Bais City Science Elementary School, Nikki Villanueva from Little Village Educational Foundation Inc., and Iciar Yoldi, Deelen Calumpang and Annica Racey Galang, all from Silliman University.
In the high school category, the finalists from Negros Occidental are Arliyah Tatoy, Ishkah Tatoy, Tabitha Tatoy, John Tristan Sabarillo, Ckerulei Edreen Santos, and Aira Marie Kei Latorre (St. Scholastica’s Academy); Bea Angela Jayme, John Quincy Hervias, Kennette Luague, Princess Kaye Bayotas Payo, Rolando Salimbaga, Jr., and Seam Jan Pelegrino (Sagay National High School); Jehu Peria , Redeem Ravello, Mary Louise Adolacion, and Miko Escaner (La Castellana National High School); Jammel Duropan, Ben Brian Palermo, Katherine Lou Maniego, Brandon Kent Braza, Ian Carlo Belarmino, Juliane Cabrera, Zackhary Mitch Tabligan, Adriane Aristosa, Mary Martha De Asis, Elvin John Frias, and Dennis James Occeña (La Consolacion College Bacolod).
Joining them are Rainer Cosas from Dona Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School, Mizpah Diaz from Liceo De La Salle – Bacolod, Therese Mae Ortaliz and Elizabeth Anne Regalado from St. John’s Institute, Regine Pintor (Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School), Dia Diocson (Riverside College Incorporated), Franklin Dato-on (Victorias National High School), Hans Benedict Espina (Calvary Baptist Academy of Pontevedra Inc.), and Fiona May Aperong and Juan Carlos Zuloaga, both from the University of St. La Salle-Integrated School.
In Negros Oriental, those who qualified in the secondary category are – Jason Majaña (Jose B. Cardenas Memorial High School), Fif Bry Cabang (Guihulngan National High School–Poblacion), Miguel Ignacio Chua and Harvy Dave Divinagracia (Silliman University), Alexis Meo Juanillo (Colegio De Sta. Catalina De Alejandria) and Yul Gabriel Dionson, Dwight Eisenhower Alota, Hezera Reignreal Tenchavez, Charles Steven Marc Libradilla, Christine Therese Villanueva, and Angelmaxine Ting, all from Bais City National High School.
VMC first launched the art competition in 2013 as part of its thrust to restore and enhance the arts and cultural awareness in Negros and promote the company’s vision and values through the creativity of the young.
This year’s theme, “Evolution” aims to drive the value of growth and development over time for individuals and entities.
As VMC celebrates its centennial celebration in 2019, it hopes to drive the message to all, particularly to the young, that there should always be that constant desire to improve one’s self; not to be content with their current capabilities, but to always strive to become better versions of themselves.
The students were asked to submit previous artworks which formed the basis of the judges’ decision to invite them to the on-the-spot competition which will be held on September 22 in Dumaguete City for Oriental finalists and on September 29 at the Gallery Orange in Bacolod for Occidental students.
Judging the pre-qualifying rounds were artists Arch. Hilario Campos, Dr. Adrian Torres and Karina Broce-Gonzaga which was held at Delicioso in Bacolod City on Monday. (PR)