BY JAY BAUTISTA |
It’s that intangible
quality in a painting, a quality so distinct, so unique that onlookers would
say, ‘Now that’s a Filipino painting!’
Arturo Luz, 1953
A recent study
conducted by the University of Oxford concluded that it is neither class nor
status that makes one an artist. Rather it is in the manner one is educated
that inspires him; how conducive his community influences him that enables his
thoughts and feelings expressed on canvas or paper and create value in art.
When Vision Petron
National Student Art Competition (formerly called ArtPetron) was conceptualized 15 years ago, its sole desire
was to inspire the next generation of painters to hone their art, excel and n
the process, rediscover and appreciate Filipino culture, the long-time advocacy
of Petron. While other existing art contests catered only to fine arts
students, Vision Petron opened the opportunity to all college students and
those enrolled in a museum-based art classes believing that creativity is not
exclusively confined in artist studios and the academe. Petron thus positioned
itself as an art patron of the talented youth.In the course of running the contest we have been witness to some young artists who have shown promise at the onset of their soon-to-be flourishing careers. Here are fifteen of our best painters who we had the privileged of seeing them break their first light in art.
 |
| El Viaje Familoia by John Paul Antido |
John Paul Antido is a
hall famer having won in 2002 and 2005. A member of Antipolo-based Sanviaje Japs
has a peculiar style of painting which is done by impasto technique laying
thick paint with finite textured brushstrokes using vivid colors with light
hues. With five solo exhibitions travelling has been his constant theme. He has
also done illustrations for a children’s book and lately he has dabbled photographer
where portraiture is his forte. His paintings were recently featured in a
children’s book.
ROBERT BESANA (b.1976)
 |
| Manwal by Robert Besana |
CHARLES BUENCONSEJO (b. 1984)
Multi-media
preoccupies Buenconsejo’s work while employing his deep foundation for
photography where he was first recognized being first hall of fame in this
category. He has won the Ateneo Art Awards two consecutive years and has done residencies
in Visual Arts Center in La Trobe University in Australia. His art was shown in
his solo exhibitions such as Unending Void, Destination Unknown, and Reality is
a Hologram is infused with his inquiries on science. Sometimes to question is
enough response.
 |
| Children of the Fields by Charles Buenconsejo |
JOEY COBCOBO (b.1983)
The call of the indigenous
is intrinsic to Cobcobo who come from a lineage of Ifugao wood carvers in the
north. He has rediscovered his technique by employing a multiple layer of images
done thou various media done in heavily indented prints. His subject matter
pays homage of his tribal roots to the personal relationships we Filipinos
value like our elderly and families. A CCP 13 Artists Awardee he now teaches in
his alma mater Technological University of the Philippines.
MARK ANDY GARCIA (b.1984)
 |
| Punong Puno ng Pag-ibig by Mark Andy Garcia |
FLORENTINO IMPAS (b. 1970)
What make Vision
Petron unique is it is open also to students of museum-based painting classes
where we discovered homegrown talents like Florentino Jun Impas. One of Cebu’s
most sought after artist. He is also portraitist of choice of cardinals,
bishops and has even been invited to the Vatican for a sit down with the
religious there. Impas has done the official portrait of St. Lorenzo Ruiz of
what we all are familiar with. He had significant solo exhibitions at the SM
Art Center in 2009- “Portraits and Figures” and 2011- “Circle of Life”,
Metropolitan Museum of Manila and 2014- “Kalendaryo Festival”, SM Art Center,
SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. This year he participated in painting Art and
Anthropology at the Chicago Field Museum Mural Painting “Art ad Antropology” in
the United States of America.
JEFFREY SALON (b. 1986)
Salon is a hall of
famer having won in 2005 and 2010. Mark by his own realism and monotone palette,
Salon is old school with his palette focusing on children and their plight and
welfare. He has had solo exhibitions at the SM Art Center, Nineveh Art space
and Singapore. He won in Sining PSE National Art Competition and the Miguel Malvar
National Art Competition.
MARK SALVATUS (b. 1980)
 |
| Balwarte ni Lolo, Aming Munting Kastilyo by Mark Salvatus |
ARTURO SANCHEZ (b. 1980)
Sanchez is proof that
someone so technical can be the most artistic. Sanchez took up architecture at
the Technological Institute of the Philippines. Mirrors have always fascinated
Sanchez in fact his pieces are meticulously done by etching selected magazine
images to reflect his art on the mirror. Based in the art town of two national
artists, Sanchez has exhibited in local galleries and his artworks have
participated in the auction houses in Hong Kong and Singapore. He won the Grand
prize Philip Morris Philippine Art Awards 2013.
 |
| Market in Motion by Paul Quiambao |
De Silva-Ong is a graduate of UP Diliman College of Fine
Arts and award winning creative director at TBWA\Digital
Arts Network. Right after graduating, she handling brands where she has been
recognized in local and international shows: she has won in AdFest, Spikes
Asia, One Show, D&AD and is part of the team that bagged the country's
first Webby.
CJ is also a well-known painter. Versatile
in her own illustration, her book covers for Sen Miriam Santiago “Stupid is
Forever” have recently been lauded.
 |
| Ober Ober by Orley Ypon |
Social realism served
its artistic purpose the turbulent times during Martial Law. With its strong
political content the movement’s aesthetics revolves around anatomies of people
as allegories to the dark perils of our country. Jeresano is a proud heir to
social realism as his images speak of our emancipation as a nation. He has won other
major art competition and had solo exhibitions locally and abroad.
RAFFY NAPAY (b. 1986)
From two-dimensional
works, EARIST graduate Napay shifted into threads and fabrics into his canvases.
Often dealing with his personal life, he stitches, tufts and weaves stories
from memory. He has won in Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence, Ateneo Art Awards
2013. He had artist residencies in Artesan Gallery and Studio in Singapore in
2013 and Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool United Kingdom last year. He
just attended the Florence Biennale in Italy.
JAMES ONA (b. 1986)
 |
| Tulay ng Kalakalan at Hanap Buhay by James Ona |
PAUL QUIAMBAO (b. 1991)
There are only three
photographers in this list Quiambao is the one who seeks to elevate photography
the most into an art form it rightfully deserves. School spirit runs deep for
him UST in particular where he graduated with a degree in architecture. With
his loyalty and perseverance Quiambao has been bestowed as UST’s
quadricentennial photographer during its celebration in 2011. Motion and depth
best describe his images. Remote islands has of late fascinated him most
specially Batanes which he has visited many times over and he has photographed
extensively.
ORLEY YPON (b.1973)
When Ypon won in the first ArtPetron in 2001 National
Artist Napoleon Abueva commented that “he has Amorsolo’s light.” Based in Cebu,
Orley is one of ArtPetron’s first grand prize winners and our first hall of
famer for painting. A self-taught artist, realism has been Ypon’s trademark
having been influenced by the master Martin Abellana. He has had an art
residency last year at the Artist Renewal Center in New York. Our first hall of
famer in Painting Ypon has come full circle as was our judge in the recent and
previous Vision Petron. His first solo exhibition Bidlisiw (
-->sunrise) at the Altro Mondo Gallery is still
ongoing.
