Two students from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts secured the grand prize and seventh place in this year's 56th Shell National Student Art Competition (NSAC) photography competition.
Fine Arts students Marniel Tuiza Daguio and Bryan John Boncales, along with the 13 other finalists in various categories from Tarlac State University, were awarded and recognized on November 28, 2023, at the Ayala Museum in Makati City.
Daguio, a first-year FA student, won the grand prize with her photograph titled "Rahuyo ng Mapag-asang Tala," while Boncales, a second-year FA student, placed seventh with his "Berna."
Daguio's winning entry shows how Filipinos celebrate Christmas and adorn their houses with traditional lanterns or parol. His entry features a primitive way of life, with everyone in the photo looking up at a kid hanging a lantern made of plastic bottles.
According to Daguio, who started as a hobbyist in 2018, he took his photo in Sitio Baag in San Jose town of Tarlac Province.
Daguio received a gold medal, trophy, and 60,000 pesos cash prize.
"This is my first time po to represent my beloved University. That is why this is one of the greatest achievements [I've] ever had, and (I am) grateful for it for having that. Until now, I'm still shocked po and 'di ko pa po ma-absorb lahat. It feels like ang bilis ng pangyayari," Daguio told OPA in an interview.
Daguio's other photography entry, "Paghahabi ng Pamana," was also shortlisted among the 25 finalists.
Meanwhile, Boncales said his entry was also shot in Sitio Baag in San Jose, where a small community of Indigenous Peoples resides, mostly the Aeta Abelling.
In the photograph, an Aeta child named Berna reads a book with her mother. The photo depicts the mother teaching her child how to read, yet the young Aeta was really the one guiding her mother in reading.
"I got truly inspired [by] this and chose this photo as my entry because I want people to recognize them, appreciate their capability to dream, and draw inspiration from their hard work. I want people to see what I saw from these people because, to me, they are like two representations of both culture and identity that is deeply rooted in the blood of Filipinos," Boncales said in an interview.
Boncales said he believes his photo resonates with the NSAC theme, "Galíng Pinoy, Galing Pinoy."
"As Indigenous Peoples embodying the spirit of a dreamer and a fighter driven by their ambition and determination, we've seen people from the indigenous groups rise from their profession as a teacher or a doctor," he added.
Both Daguio and Boncales plan to join this competition again next year.
Other TSU students who were named finalists in photography include Mc Alister M. Sulay, Kerby Dave M. Tanglao, Justine Roice D. Ibe, and Alvin John B. Galang.
Under the digital fine arts category, the finalists are Harold A. Bugayong, Angelo D. Eulin, Krisha Nadado, and Arisa Leonardo.
Moreover, the oil/acrylic painting category finalists are Justin Cariel A. Banal, Francis Adrianne Bayudan, and Myca D.C. Flores.
Also, Jean Danielle P. Miranda and Shane Nicole R. De Leon are the finalists in the sculpture category. (jlmm-OPA)
Updated as of December 12, 2023
Pubmat credits: TSU CAFA Department of Fine Arts Facebook page
