A Salute to (PLDT) Art Competitions!
A Salute to (PLDT) Art Competitions!
By Cesare A.X. Syjuco
Published in: The Manila Times, March 08, 1989
ONE cannot begin to appreciate the joy of competition without first experiencing it. And once experienced, the thrill, the fulfillment, the memories of it are seldom forgotten.
Through the years, I have discussed the subject with some of the country’s most successful artists, all of them veterans of the competition circuit. They invariably swear by the importance of art contests — particularly in honing not only the skills, but the very spirit of the young and aspiring.
Having been one of the judges in this year's PLDT student art competition has given me the chance to re-live my own memories, as well as the opportunity to observe, at first hand, the dedication and deep personal commitment of the people behind this annual search. Not only is this nationwide contest staged regularly where it probably counts the most — which is on the art-school level — but it is also a competition reputed to be both efficiently and compassionately conducted. For openers, the cash prizes are at least compensatory to a young artist’s efforts and relative good fortune. And the prestige that comes with victory is immeasurable.
Eight outstanding entries, led by grand-prize winner Noel Manalo of FEU, are to adorn the covers of PLDT's telephone directories throughout the country — numbering in the hundreds of thousands in the very least, and assuring the respective winners of the exposure and recognition they deserve.
The other finalists (from second place to eighth) are Roland Wong of PWU, Joseph Balderas of UST, Mario Uy of FEU, Ronaldo Ocate of UP, Christopher Juntilla of UP Cebu, Aurora Amor Buted of TUP, and Aner Sebastian of Earist. Their winning entries, in particular, are surprisingly accomplished, setting standards of excellence that could shame some of their elders.
Undoubtedly, the PLDT is only one giant enterprise that can set the pace for the private sector's support of our art and artists. Organizing contests around their very real corporate needs — in this case, attractive covers for PLDT’s line of directories — lends a sense of give-and-take to the endeavor that benefits both sponsor and art community in general. And as one astute observer has said, PLDT’s sins to humanity are almost forgiven in the light of this developmental effort.
Our heartiest congratulations to this year’s winners! And our thanks again to the rare angels of private enterprise. May you go forth and multiply.
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Cesare A.X. Syjuco, “A Salute to (PLDT) Art Competitions!” (page 1 of 1), The Manila Times, March 08, 1989
