For decades, women in the arts have had to work harder to be seen, let alone celebrated. While talent knows no gender, opportunity often does. That’s why programs like Sining Filipina matter—because they provide a national platform where women artists are not just included but placed at the center.
On March 27, Sining Filipina: Her Earth, Her Future held its awarding ceremony and exhibit opening at SM Aura. The event honored ten women artists as the best among 52 finalists from across the country.
Their works, which range from traditional painting to mixed media, were on display until April 3, offering the public a rare look at the diversity and depth of female artistry in the Philippines.
The competition is co-presented by Chinabank and SM Supermalls for the benefit of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs. More importantly, it remains the only nationwide, all-women art competition in the country—a fact that is both a milestone and a reminder of how much further we have to go when it comes to gender equity in the arts.
This year’s top prize went to Jowee Anne Aguinaldo for her painting Panagtagpi-tagpi, which earned her P250,000 and a custom trophy. Second and third place winners Geanne Gentizon and Shara Chan were recognized for artworks that explored everyday life and sustainability, while fourth and fifth place went to Ma. Jezsheel Asares and Sunshine Vitto.
‘Bayan ni Juana’
Cash prizes, trophies, and visibility are all part of the package. But beyond the awards, what Sining Filipina offers is validation—proof that women’s voices, stories, and visions belong not in the margins but at the forefront of Philippine art.
It’s also worth noting the deeper impact. During the exhibit’s Insight Forum, organizers, including Zonta Club president Joanne Zapanta-Andrada and SM Supermalls VP Grace Magno discussed the judging process and the strong turnout this year. This kind of dialogue matters. It sends a message: women’s artistic work is serious work—and it deserves the same level of scrutiny, support, and celebration as any other.
One standout moment was when artist Wencyl Mallari received a special award for donating the full value of her paintings to the Zonta Club’s charitable projects for two consecutive years. It was a quiet gesture with big meaning, reminding us that art, when paired with purpose, can ripple beyond the canvas.
As viewers wander through the exhibit at SM Aura, they’re not just seeing art—they’re seeing what happens when women are given room to create freely and be recognized for it.
And in a country where cultural spaces are still unevenly shared, Sining Filipina is a step toward balance. Not just in representation but in how we define value, visibility, and what it means to be an artist in the Philippines today.