500 Years of Catholic devotion exhibit at Manila Cathedral

Top Three winners; Dohndill Bejoc, Second Place; Crispin Bobier, First place; Romar Quimada, 3rd Place. INQUIRER.net

In a first-ever collaboration of Filipino artist-contestants and the Catholic Church’s Museo ng Arkidiyosesis ng Maynila, an exhibition celebrating 500 Years of Christianity and Catholic Devotion in the Philippines opened Feb. 20, 2023, at the historic Manila Cathedral, Blessed Souls Chapel within the main halls of the Basilica. It is ongoing until Feb. 28.

Grand Prize Founder’s Award, Touch of Faith by Crispin Bobier

New York nonprofit Eagle Eye Charities Inc (EEC) announced the winning entries of the recently concluded competition participated by mid-career artists from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The 36 entries who made it to the finals can be seen at the company website https://eagle charities.org. The grand prize Founder’s Award of P100,000 was given to Crispin Bobier; the second place winner Dohndill Bejoc took home the Loida Nicolas Lewis award of P75,000; the third place President’s Award of P50,000 went to Romar Quimada.

Nine other winners were selected as Jurors’ Choice: Fernando Regencia, Rogelio Detomal, Henry Braulio, Melquiades Cabriana, Kim Postrano, Roderick Macutay, Rembert Quimada, Analuz Reynales and Ismael Esber. Sponsors for the individual P10,000 award include EEC Trustees Fanny Blanco, Rubee Alcantara, patron of arts supporter Stella Torres, Jovy Rabelas, The Padua Charitable Fund, Lisa Manalo Mapagu, Norlita Uriarte, Monarch Dr. Alice Almendral, Fiesta In America Nanding Mendez and Atty Elizabeth Cueva.

Second Place Loida Lewis Award, Deep Abiding Faith by Dohndill Bejoc; (Right)  Place President’s Award, Awit Ng Mga Angel by Romar Quimada  

EEC Founder Carol Tanjutco remarked that the quincentennial celebration presents a visual narrative of Filipinos’ journey in Christianity. The journey began in 1521, when the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan came to Cebu to introduce Christianity and gave the image of Sto Nino to Queen Juana, wife of Rajah Humabon during her baptismal. It continues to the present-day Catholic devotion of families praying together, holding annual feasts in honor of Black Nazarene, Marian images and holy angels.

Opening the first Catholic exhibition of oil paintings were Msgr. Clem Ignacio. Moderator Curiae of Museo ng Arkidiyosesis ng Maynila, NCCA Executive Director Oscar Casaysay, EEC founder Carol Tanjutco, Jun Impas, Rubee Alcantara (partly hidden), Fanny Blanco, winner Crispin Bobier (partly hidden), Ambassador Kira Danganan Azucena and EEC president Dr Romulo Aromin Jr.

The celebration was delayed due to the pandemic, “thus this exhibition pays homage to a renewed faith that brought the Filipinos closer as families, EEC President Dr. Romulo Aromin Jr. concluded, “As in any trials we have faced, the strength of the spirit proved to be much more powerful, rising above from all these challenges. “

Leading the opening were Monsignor Jose Clemente Ignacio, Vicar General and Moderator Curiae, with Fr. Albert Flores, Director of Museo ng Arkidiyosesis ng Maynila (MANA) with honored guests, NCCA Director Oscar Casaysay, Honorable Kira Danganan Azucena of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Master Curator Jun Impas, the participating artists and EEC Trustees. The artists were feted with a formal dinner at Ilustrado Restaurant, after cocktails hosted by Manila Cathedral.

Selected winning entries will be brought to New York City for exhibition at the Philippine Center in celebration of Filipino American History from Nov. 13 to 24, 2023, along with the Top Three winning entries of the Jose Rizal national competition run by EEC last year and joined by over 100 artists. Visit the website at : https://eaglecharities.org/art-competition