How Sining Filipina turns art into a voice for nation-building
Art in the hands of women becomes both expression and advocacy, transforming canvases into windows that illuminate the countless ways Filipinas drive change. This is the central message of Sining Filipina, a national art competition where paintings and mixed-media works transcend aesthetics to become powerful statements that capture both the struggles and strengths of women.
Winners of the third Sining Filipina 2026: Babae Para sa Bayan: Women Leading Change from Home to Nation were announced on March 12 at SM Podium, with organizers emphasizing how the competition has become a platform for Filipina artists to express stories of resilience and social change.
The program was organized by SM Supermalls together with BDO Unibank Inc. and the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs as part of Women’s Month activities.
The annual event, beyond serving as acompetition, sends a clear message about the importance of giving women a visible space in both cultural and public discourse. It celebrates their creativity, amplifies their voices, and affirms their contributions to society, showing that women are not only participants but also shapers of the nation’s artistic and social landscape.
“At SM Supermalls, being the most-loved mall means using our scale with purpose. We open our spaces to voices that matter. We create platforms where women are seen, heard, and celebrated,” explained Joaquin L. San Agustin, executive vice president for marketing of SM Supermalls.
He added that the company’s support for women’s initiatives continues throughout the year, not only during Women’s Month.
The competition drew 250 entries from across the country, from Aparri to Basilan. Organizers narrowed the submissions to 56 semi-finalists before selecting 10 finalists whose works reflected diverse perspectives on womanhood, leadership, and community.
grand winner Marte R. Goyon, and third place winner Gerlynnia Aprille B. Galgo
The grand prize went to Manila-based artist Marte R. Goyon for the oil painting Helping Hands, earning P250,000. Mary Joy B. Go of Bulacan placed second with the mixed-media piece Liwanag ni Maria, while Gerlynnia Aprille B. Galgo of Cebu City took third place with From Home, Outward.
“My advice to other Filipina artists is to be true to yourself,” Goyon noted. “Create works that carry meaning, not just based on what you see. It has to come from deep inside you.”
The panel of judges included Tin-Aw Art Gallery founder Dawn Atienza, Metropolitan Museum of Manila trustee Louie Bate, artist Leslie de Chavez, realist painter Alfredo Esquillo Jr., Linangan Art Residency founder Manny Garibay, Christie’s Asia consultant Angela Hsu, and contemporary artist Ronald Ventura.
Among the guests was Senator Risa Hontiveros, who delivered a keynote address recognizing the everyday labor of Filipina workers, from overseas employees and farmers to healthcare workers and vendors.
“When women are given voice in our laws, when women are given platforms like this art competition, when women are given access to the opportunities that we have always deserved, we do not just empower our sisterhood, we strengthen the entire country,” Hontiveros noted.
The awards ceremony also opened a public exhibition of the 56 semifinalist works at SM Podium’s Level 2 Atrium, running until March 19.
In a gesture of inclusivity, the competition also welcomed 20 submissions from persons deprived of liberty at the Women’s Correctional Institution, with two of those works included in the exhibit.
