The local government unit of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental is launching its first nationwide painting competition with significant cash prizes, inviting artists across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to illustrate their interpretations of the theme “Healing.”
Timed to coincide with the city’s upcoming 53rd Dinagsa Festival in January, the art derby marks a major expansion from the local competitions established six years ago at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a press release from the city government said Sunday, Sept. 20.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said he is optimistic about the broader participation, noting that the initiative aims to feature artistic pieces narrating real stories of survival and resilience despite life’s challenges.
The competition features a total cash prize pool exceeding ₱890,000, with the grand prize winner receiving ₱300,000.
Subsequent top awards stand at ₱200,000 for second place, ₱100,000 for third place, ₱80,000 for fourth place, and ₱60,000 for fifth place, alongside ₱30,000 each for five selected finalists.
Beyond the monetary incentives, all winning artworks will be permanently installed at the soon-to-open Cadiz City Medical Center to form part of the facility’s therapeutic environment.
Participating artisans are given broad creative leeway to explore healing through personal recovery, emotional journeys, community resilience, nature, or cultural memory, the press release said.
Interested participants have until October 5, to complete online registration, with digital artwork submissions accepted via email through December 15.
Following the announcement of shortlisted entries on December 28, selected artists must submit their physical canvases via courier or in person on January 14.
The winning works will be recognized during the awarding ceremony on January 23 at the Cadiz City Arena. *
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