Over 10 hours on Saturday, April 26, close to 1,000 artists from across the country submitted their obra maestra to the 20th GSIS National Art Competition — marking the biggest turnout in the event’s history.
What a sight to behold! Masterpieces were on the move across the islands, ferried by tricycles, private cars, taxis, and delivery services like LBC and Lalamove. For a shot at glory, artists journeyed from as far as South Cotabato, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Bohol, and Palawan. Many had shipped their precious cargo to arrive in time for submission day, each one hoping their obra would capture the judges’ eyes.
Held in partnership with the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP), the competition “has been increasing not only in quantity but also in quality,” said Fidel Sarmiento, AAP president. “This is the first time the number of entries has reached 1,000 — and the competition has only two categories: representational and non-representational.”
Artists of all ages and backgrounds began lining up as early as 7:00 a.m., said Raymundo Palad, GSIS Museum Director. The submission line snaked around the GSIS complex, leading to a narrow side door of the gymnasium, where tight security awaited. Along the sidewalks, discarded bubble wrap and paper covers told their own story of anticipation — cleaned up by GSIS janitors.
“The national arts competition is part of our CSR (corporate social responsibility) program,” said Palad, who oversaw the day’s well-organized proceedings. “Finalists will be announced by mid-May, and winners will be awarded in June as part of the GSIS founding anniversary celebrations.”
The record P2.555 million prize pool will be distributed as follows: top prize winner, P600,000 — the biggest cash award ever given in the competition; second prize, P500,000; third prize, P400,000. Five honorable mentions will each receive P100,000, while 17 finalists will receive P15,000 each.
“The judges will certainly have a tough time,” Sarmiento said with a smile. “I already see so many admirable works.”
Monette Alvarez, AAP treasurer, pointed out a meticulously detailed representational canvas. “Look at those faces — faces within faces,” she said. “Such imagination!” Every participant carries a chance to win, noted AAP secretary Margarita Lim. “You never really know what will appeal to the judges. They are rotated every two years to keep the competition fresh and fair,” she explained.
Artworks flooded the gymnasium as Filipino creativity took center stage. All three sides of the bleachers were lined with canvases, each measuring 36 x 48 inches. Even the floor had neat rows of paintings — and just before the 5:00 p.m. deadline, more submissions were still coming in.
In one lively corner of the gym, artists led by visual virtuoso Fidel Sarmiento drew and donated on-the-spot pastel pieces for another GSIS art initiative called Paint It Forward. “The chosen artworks will be framed and gifted to teachers nationwide during National Teachers’ Month in May,” said Palad.
Among today’s leading artists who once found their breakthrough at the GSIS Art Competition are Toti Cerda, Randall Dilla, Max Balatbat, Noli Manalang, Edu Perreras, Samuel Penaso, and Eman Santos.
Visual artist Penaso, who has won the GSIS competition a few times, also submitted new works this year — alongside entries from fellow artists from his home province of Bohol.
Several artists from Sunshine Place, a senior wellness center along Jupiter Street, Makati, likewise submitted their obras — ever hopeful they will break into the top 25, as members like Vicky Pollisco, Joyce Ashworth, and Irene Ibanez have done before.
Attorney Pollisco said joining the GSIS national art contest is an “experience of enhanced creativity and competitiveness. I also get a chance to see the artistic expressions of others.”
“This is one major art competition the AAP is totally engaged with. The country is just full of artists who need to be known nationally and internationally,” said Sarmiento, who leads the AAP officers in “bringing art to the people, for the people, and by the people.”
The other officers are Roger Santos, vice president; Danilo Santiago, PRO; Angelito Florendo, auditor; and board directors Rica Rosario Ong, Lulu Olan, and Ral Arrogante.
For a day, the GSIS gymnasium was transformed into a vibrant gallery — filled with dreams, artistic energy, and the hopes of a thousand creative minds.