An architecture student from La Consolacion College-Bacolod (LCC-B) was named champion in the first-ever province-wide Golden Dinagsa painting contest in Cadiz City, recently.
Therese Marie Ortaliz from Bacolod City bested hundreds of participants in the competition.
Her art piece, depicting the life and struggles of hacienda workers highlighted by sugarcane and a carabao, won the grand prize of P100,000.
Vicky Gasper of Silay City was named first runner-up for her painting of children frolicking on the beach and won P50,000.
The “messy world” concept amid the digital age painting of Allen Descalsota of Cadiz City was declared second runner-up with a prize of P35,000.
Third and fourth runners-up were Jonafer Chavez of Cadiz City and Nestor Angelo Dequina of Sagay City, respectively. Chavez won P25,000, while Dequina took home P20,000.
The five finalists who won P15,000 each were Psyche Amor Distor of Valladolid (Paligo sang mga Bata), Analyn Trespicio – La Castellana (The Shoeman), Jessa Marie Gustilo – La Castellana (Handum sang Kubos nga mga Bata), John Steve Gabana -Cadiz City ( Mga Manuglibod Isda) and John Ryan Locsin – Bacolod City (Teenage Boys).
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said each painting tells an amazing story.
Painting contests in Cadiz City are now an “institution” being held twice every year during the Dinagsa Festival in January and Charter Day in July.
Escalante said the contests give artists an avenue where they can express their passion and skills in art.
Cadiz is the only local government unit in Negros Occidental that holds such an event.*