Marciano Galang Acquisition Prizes and AAG-KLFI Essay Writing Prizes

Foreword from the exhibition:

This unprecedented global health crisis has led us to a period of uncertainty. We were at first apprehensive of the threat to our lives and those of our loved ones, brought about by an unknown and unseen enemy. It was then followed by a questioning of the relevance of what we do, our role as a cultural institution in a society faced with the basic problems of daily subsistence, shelter, and livelihood.

A few weeks into the quarantine period, the Ateneo Art Gallery decided to cancel its annual Ateneo Art Awards program even though it was to be among the highlights of AAG’s 60th anniversary. Aside from the apparent logistical challenges, we felt it was necessary to rethink how a university art museum can address the current needs of the art community. We devised ways to provide access to culture and education by enriching and developing our online content.

In place of the regular awards program, we pivoted towards an acquisition prize and an essay writing prize open to all artists and writers. The response was overwhelming and we are grateful to all the writers and visual artists who submitted their essay and artwork entries.

We are also grateful for the continued support and encouragement from the Ateneo de Manila University and from our two program partners — the Embassy of Italy and the Kalaw-Ledesma Foundation. Despite the challenges, we are blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve and support the community of artists and writers. As we celebrate the 6 decades of existence, AAG continues to aim towards fostering creativity and strengthening social unity and to be an agent of collective memory.

Ma. Victoria Herrera, Director and Chief Curator of Ateneo Art Gallery

The exhibition featuring the winners for both prizes and other artists selected for MGAP exhibition is live for online viewing. To access the show, please visit www.bit.ly/MGAPExhibition.

You can also read the winning essays for both student and non-student categories through the Vital Points website: https://pkl.ateneoartgallery.com

AAG-KFLI ESSAY WRITING PRIZES WINNERS:

NON-STUDENT CATEGORY:

Daniela Balgos - At the Hem of our Society

James Luigi Tana - coping corners

Iza Maria Reyes- Hapong-hapong hapon

Jord Earving Gadingan - Mahigit Sandaang Araw ng Samut' Sari

Geraldine Gentozala-Juachon - Pamimintana

Apa Agbayani - Somewhere in the crowd there's you (or, Dreaming of a reprise for our grief)

STUDENT CATEGORY:

Bea Pauline Salcedo - A Face of the Anxious

DJ Ellamil - Experimental Film (O Ang Paghahanap ng Isang Ligtas Na Lugar)

Fernando Chavez - Linggo ng Palengkero

Sam Elaijah Elmido - Lubid ng Pasakit

Phoebe de Leon - Of Blistering Soles

Drei Narciso - On Art, Crises, and the Dance of Time

MARCIANO GALANG ACQUISITION PRIZES WINNERS

EMBASSY OF ITALY PURCHASE PRIZE:

Mars Bugaoan

Vermont Coronel Jr.

ATENEO ART GALLERY ACQUISITION:

Geovanni Abing

Miko Acaso

Joey Cobcobo

Eugene Cubillo

Yas Doctor

Corinne Garcia

Nina Garibay

Caloy Gernale

Lui Gonzales

Philipp Ines

Alvin Kasiban

Mervy Pueblo

Catherine Salazar

Dar San Agustin