Prepose whose winning piece was a contemporary painting that included elements of the culture and tradition of the city such as the the Burnay or clay jar and the Barong, said, “Very overwhelming, it has been a while since I won in a competition and it is my first time releasing my personal art style-Bond (a bear character he created), in a contest so I am overwhelmed with joy right now.”
Meanwhile, Solar said, "Sobrang unexpected, this is also my first time incorporating my signature art style, which is contemporary, in a competition. Believe it or not, this is my first win in competitions as well, so it feels surreal.”
Solar's winning artwork depicts two images of Leona Florentino, a Filipino poet who wrote in Ilocano and Spanish born in the city in 1849, as a young woman and during her latter years wearing traditional attires.
Outlining both are two different lines of Florentino's poem "Nalpay a Namnama" - ta ikarik kenka ket isapatak and a sika awan sabali ti pakatayak (I promise you and I take an oath, that I will die only for you and no else).
The first placer in the professional category also thanked everyone who organized the competition especially, Sangguniang Panlungsod Member, Attorney Glendale Benzon.
Benzon, in a separate interview said, “As an artist myself, I know how important it is to have an avenue or a program that supports and appreciates the talents of the artists.”
She shared that for this year’s Binatbatan Festival, there are additions to the traditional competition, they incorporated the Abel Iloco as part of the final work.
“They did not just use the canvas, so it is also an improvement and innovative way of promoting our products while appreciating the craft of our artists.”
Non-winning participants in the amateur category received P2,000 each as consolation prize, while the artists for the professional category were given P2,500 each.
The artworks created during the competitions will be available for auction or sale.
Additionally, the auction of Boklan Art and Tile Mosaic were also conducted simultaneously.(JCR/MJTAB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)
