The Philippine Art Awards (PAA) Secretariat, in anticipation of the much awaited National Awarding on September 3, 2010, has decided to showcase once more the 40 winning artworks from last year’s regional competition in an ongoing “On Track” exhibit at the National Museum in Manila.

The PAA 2010 National Exhibition, which is supported by Philip Morris and Fortune Tobacco Corp. Inc. (PMFTC), may now be viewed at the Northwing Gallery, 4th Floor, Museum of the Filipino People, National Museum.

Dr. Patrick Flores, in his curatorial essay, said: “The past year was important for the Philippine Art Awards. Apart from pursuing its program of a national competition for the visual arts, with four regional platforms leading to an omnibus exhibition at the National Museum, it widened its vision in nurturing artists and the possibilities for their art.”

“Toward this end, it offered workshops on contemporary art all over the archipelago and broadened the media for the competition to include techniques beyond wall-bound expectations and anticipate sculptural, installative, or hypermediated expression,” he added. 

Dr. Flores’ curatorial essay may be considered his affirmation that the PAA as an art competition is fulfilling its mandate to the artists and the art community in general. 

The 40 featured artists who will be competing this year for the National Finals are the following:
PAA Mindanao: Soliman Poonon, Oscar Floirendo, Michael Bacol, Jericho Vamenta, Nicolas Aca, Marcelino Necosia Jr., Michael Bauzon, Edgar Carreon, Bryan Cabrera, and Rodney Yap.

PAA Visayas: Lucilo Sagayno, Eliseo Libo-on, Jr., John Paul Castillo, Frank Alexi  Nobleza, Marvin Chito Natural, Nomar Miano, JZY Tilos, Cezar Arro, Edmar Colmo, and Jovito Hecita, Jr.
PAA Metro Manila:  Jaime Jesus Pacena, Joey Cobcobo, Froilan Calayag, Camille de la Rosa, Thomas Daquioag, Arnel Brillantes, Raffy Napay, Dan Raralio, Dexter Sy,  and Maximino Balatbat.

PAA Luzon: Rodelio Cerda, Teodorico Cumagon, Cris Villanueva, Yuan Moro Ocampo, Arturo Sanchez, Jr., Augusto Elopre, Vincent Paul Padilla, Reynaldo Samson Jr., Isidro Diaz Santos, and Rommel Sampana.

The Grand Prize winner in the national competition will receive Php 350,000.00, Php 120,000.00 each for the five Juror’s Choice Award of Excellence winners, and Php 80,000.00 each for the two Juror’s Choice Award of Merit winners. An all expense-paid trip to the World Expo and Art Fair in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China also forms part of the prize pool for all national winners.