The winners of the 8th VMC (Victorias Milling Co.) Inter-School Art Contest were announced at the Acacia Convention Center in Bacolod City Saturday night, Nov. 25.
VMC president Linley Retirado said “through this annual inter-school art contest, we believe that engaging the youth in arts at an early age helps develop their creativity, identity, culture and imagination”.
This also impacts positively on their confidence, self-esteem, personal, social, emotional development and behavioral health, he said.
This is a testament to VMC’s support for the future generation of Negrense artists, he also said.
There were 61 elementary and high school semi-finalists at the contest Saturday that carried the theme “My Role in Society”.
The champion in the high school category was Jhodie May Salomon of La Consolacion College (LCC).
First runner up was Stephen Jay Gallano of La Castellana National High School and second runner up was Erin Ysabelle Dosayla of LCC.
Consolation prize winners were Adrian Andrade of Enrique B. Magalona National High School and Bear Jay Bermeo of LCC.
The champion in the elementary category was Kris Edward Belaguas of the University of Saint La Salle.
First runner up was Heart Sta. Maria of Silay South Elementary School and second runner up was Zhyenaiah Tonogbanua of Shiloh Christian School.
The consolation prize winners were Sophia Emerald Caminong of Gil Lopez Elementary School and Sheena Rain Reyes of the University of Negros Occidental Recoletos.
Anne Tiongco, executive director of VMC Foundation and VMC Corporate Communications Director, said VMC and the VMC Foundation remain committed to promoting the artistic and cultural development of the youth through the annual inter-school art contest.
This year’s theme, “My Role in Society”, aims to drive the value of growth and development among the youth and what they think their role should be in their community, society and in nation-building, she said.
The judges in this year’s contest were Bamboo Tonogbanua, Rodney Martinez, Dennis Occeña, Tanya Lopez and Cindy Ballesteros.*