NY charity proclaims winners of Jose Rizal portraiture contest

Proclamation of winners (left to right) led by Master Nemi Miranda, KOR Supreme Commander Gerry Calderon, EEC Founder Carol Tanjutco, Second Place winner Artemio “Jun” Anga, Grand Prize winner Evan Respeto and Master Orley Ypon receiving the award for Third Placer Romar Quimada. INQUIRER/ Porsha Seechung

Three visual artists nabbed the top prizes among more than 100 entries submitted by students and mid-career artists vying in the Jose Rizal National Portraiture Competition marking the quasquicentennial death anniversary of the Philippine’s national hero.

New York-based nonprofit Eagle Eye Charities Inc (EEC) NY charity launched the competition in December 2021 during the KOR NY gala  at The Players NYC. (Entries can be viewed at the website: https://EagleCharities.org)

The Grand Prize winner, a unanimous choice, is 23-year old oil painter from Caloocan, Evan Respeto, who also won the title of President’s Choice and Society of Philippine American Artist (SPAA) choice.

Winning entries from left to right: First place Evan Respeto, Second place Artemio “Jun” Anga and Third place Romar Quimada. INQUIRER/ Porsha Seechung.

The Second Place winner and also Loida Nicolas Lewis’ Awardee, is Artemio “Jun” Anga, a mid-career artist who has won several awards in portrait competitions.

The Third Place, an award sponsored by Dr. Dely Go, is Romar Quimada, a protégé of Orley Ypon at  his Aroma Art Atelier studio at Toledo City, Cebu.

The awards include cash, round-trip airfare to New York City, assistance in US visa processing and hotel accommodations for the First Three winners. Additional opportunities for international exhibits are currently being arranged.

Principal sponsor Tagline 360 Media of Manila and New York CEO JL Rabelas worked closely with EEC President Dr. Romulo Aromin Jr. and EEC Founder- Program Chair Carol Tanjutco in organizing the competition.

EEC Trustees who participated in the blind jurying process included master portrait artist Florentino “Jun” Impas, EEC Masters and Mentors Nemesio Miranda Jr, Manny Garibay and Renato R. Habulan.

“Jose Rizal’s Diaspora of a Global Filipino,” a mural interaction by Evan Respeto, Junevy Llosa, Garry Allen Watin, Cris Bobier, Artemio Jun Anga, John Paul Abejar and Jonathan Abellana. INQUIRER/ Porsha Seechung

A special guest appearance of Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Vice Mayor Gerry Calderon capped the evening’s celebration at the Nemiranda Art House and Gallery in Angono, Rizal.

Seven of the winners attended the event highlighted by a mural painting interaction. Founder Carol Tanjutco  explained, “The mural is about the Diaspora of a Global Filipino, featuring the many roles of Dr. Jose Rizal, portraying him as a journalist, as a doctor, as a lover and a hero.

On top of the mural is the Philippine eagle which is also the logo of Eagle Eye Charities, symbolic of our outreach to tribal lands, supporting indigenous people.” Part of the proceeds of the nonprofit benefitted this year’s Talipanan Mangyan School outreach.

Fourth Place winner is Jonathan Abellana, also the Founder’s Choice, and a tie for the Fifth Place went to an art teacher John Paul Abejar and  Aroma Art Atelier student Rembert Quimada. Sixth Place went to Junevy Llosa from Rizal, Seventh is another Cebuano art teacher Garry Allan Watin , Eighth is the only female winner Jessa Dulay from Manila, Ninth is Crispin Bobier from Ronda, Cebu, and the Tenth is  Jeffrey Almario from Manila.

Special awardees were also selected by sponsors. Atty Elizabeth Cueva award went to Maria Francisca Juarez, Dr. Leo and Nicer Jurado’s Choice went to watercolorist Rene Canlas from Manila, whose entry is his first oil portrait after many years. Fiesta in America Award also went to Rembert Quimada. Trustee Rubee Alcantara’s Choice is Ismael Esber from Rizal. The Rachel Grant Awardee is yet to be announced. More sponsors are invited to view the artists’ works.

The next 24 portraits will be recognized in an online exhibition on June 18, 2022, the eve of Dr. Jose Rizal’s 161^st birth anniversary, to be participated by New York based Eagle Eye Charities Trustees and sponsors.

A grand exhibition awaits all participants scheduling through NCCA local galleries. Founder Tanjutco will meet London based Knights of Rizal of Great Britain who expressed interest to showcase all the portraits.

A live coverage of the proclamation event can be viewed at the Facebook page @EagleEyeCharitiesInc  with a video teaser created by Tagline 360 Media Philippines highlighting the OPM (original Pinoy music) dedicated by composer-singer Renato “Babes” Tolentino, aptly called, “Langit Mo’y Likha Mo Rin,” watch: https://fb.watch/d5Wa0fygs9/