The 56th year of the Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC) this 2023 saw the largest field of entries, with over 2,900 submissions across 5 categories. With the theme “Galíng Pinoy, Galing Pinoy,” the competition spotlights the youth’s artistic prowess and profound connection to the nation’s cultural heritage. This year, Shell NSAC reintroduced Photography as an additional category, alongside Digital Fine Arts, Sculpture, Watercolor, and Oil and Acrylic.
Serge Bernal, Shell Pilipinas vice president for corporate relations, acknowledged the youth’s innovative creativity and their artwork as a powerful medium to capture the essence and vibrancy of Filipino heritage and culture.
“The ingenuity displayed by our participants, their choice of subjects and the stories woven into their art pieces all resonate the profound truth, that the Philippines is a nation that is always moving forward through their creativity and vision. These young artists are shaping the narrative of progress, challenging the status quo, and challenging us to envision a more innovative future,” Bernal said.
Resilience Unearthed by John Patrick Gante of Bulacan State University took the top spot for the sculpture category, with Hiraya by Ace Brian De Leon of Far Eastern University — Institute of Technology and Kakanyahan ng Bayanihan by Gerald Ed Chua of University of the Philippines — Cebu coming in second and third respectively.
In the Digital Fine Arts Category, Beyond Illumination by Mary Dawn Jane Monterde of Holy Trinity University received the highest honors with Mayamang Pamayanan by Mary Ashley Sophia Chikiamco of Far Eastern University — Institute of Technology coming in second and Hanapbuhay: Hanap Sining by Jahn Aldrin Carilimdiliman of University of San Carlos taking third.
Weaving the Narrative by Judhea Java of University of the Philippines — Cebu placed first in the oil and acrylic category with Prinsipyo by John Lester Garcia of Caraga State University — Cabadbaran Campus and Faceted Identities by Markus Gabrielle Gallegos of University of the Philippines — Diliman rounding out the rest of the winners.
In the watercolor category, Inaaning Tagumpay by Glenn Gonzales of University of the Philippines — Diliman placed first with second and third going to Nak, Uuwi na si Mama by Edward Russel Romero of University of the Philippines — Cebu and Pagsibol by Shereen Yancy Millet of GK College of Business, Arts, and Technology.
For the revived photography category, Rahuyo ng Mapag-asang Tala by Marniel Daguio of Tarlac State University was named first place while Buhay by Jennielyn Liezel Sala of Polytechnic University of the Philippines — Manila and Pahiyas ng Kamay by Connie Grace Carlos of Bulacan State University took second and third place respectively.
The awards ceremony held last November 28 at the Ayala Museum saw the presence of representatives from CCP, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Museum, partner museums, former Shell NSAC artists Rodel Tapaya and Jophel Botero Ybiosa, and world-renowned artist Ronald Ventura, underscoring the competition’s significance in showcasing the talents of the new generation of Filipino artists.
“The arts that we see around us can be a means to transform ourselves and our communities and our country into one better nation in the future,” Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan said.
Victorino Manalo, Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) echoed Marasigan’s sentiments, saying that “as we witness the unfolding of creativity in this competition, let us recognize the immense potential that lies within the hands of our young artists. Art indeed has the power to transcend boundaries and inspire change.”
