“Kay Ganda ng Pilipinas” National Painting Contest was administered by Jason V Macuha of Macuha Art Gallery and Kunst Pilipino Gallery whose aim is to provide a truly open and fair platform for all Filipino artists to exhibit and promote Filipino art through a genuinely open art competition.

Together with the collective efforts of Virgilio Cuizon, Bill Perez and Aris Bagtas of Kunst Gallery including a well respected selected juror panel of Dr. Paul Zafaralla (Art Book Author and Art Critic), Rene Robles (Artist), Rafael Cusi (Artist) Sam Lorenzo (Gallery Owner Village Art Gallery) and Edgar O. Cruz  (Writer and Curator of ARTlead) who chose works to the theme of Kay Ganda ng Pilipinas (Bakit Laging Binabalik Balikan). 

The event would not be a success without the additional help of the following kind hearted people: SjeIv Cuizon, Pauline Mariano, Gyll Canseco, Dhenz Aguilar, Lyka Bautizon, Stephanie Jane, Zhyra Ann Nedia, Christine Joy Celeste Cuizon, Michelle Aquino, Michael Aquino, and Vina Viotiroz Bernales.

Award-winning and freshman Filipino painters vied for prizes from P50,000 to P10,000 and trophies plus certificates (for the seven Juror’s Choice awards) were given out. All winning paintings including the Juror’s Choice became the property of Macuha Art Gallery. 

Macuha Art Gallery congratulates all the winners and trophies are personalized sculptures of Aris C Bagtas

WINNERS

1st Prize – Anthony Malonzo – Cavite
2nd Prize – Jojo Ramirez – Laguna
3rd Prize – Jeff Dahilan – Laguna

JUROR’s CHOICE
Froilan Pastrana – Malabon
Anafe Nemenzo – Mandaluyong
Macj Turla – Manila 
Jojoy Zabala – Pampanga
Micko Macariola – Quezon City
Michael Montanez – Cavite

FINALISTS
Jose Dela Rosa – Manila 
Arnel Garcia – Pampanga 
Eliseo Perreras -Pampanga
Randy Sagun Macalindong – Batangas
Eman Sia – Caloocan
Krisanto N Aquino – Pangasinan
Ian Maigan – Aurora 
Mischa Resin – Batangas 
Paul John Andayran – Paranaque
Waldz Villanueva – Las Pinas

Photo by Ouie Sanchez

ABOUT JASON V. MACUHA

His love of collecting Filipino visual arts was ignited when he briefly lived with Cuizon (aka Ninong Ver), the uncle and godfather of wife Stefanie Yvette Cuizon Macuha while he was working on a project in Batangas City in 2000 for a gas plant project. Ninong Ver was also a wedding sponsor in his wedding and an art promoter of Kunst Pilipino Gallery owner. 

His quest as an art collector began in 2013 when he first acquired his first artwork through the Cuizon’s generosity, the acrylic on canvas “Composition XXXIV by Rene Robles.” His art collection has since accumulated to around 200 pieces. Ninong Ver also introduced him to Filipino Master Artist “Ernesto “Aris” Bagtas Jr. The genius of his generation, a native of Obando, Bulacan has been one of the most influential artists of these times. Bill Perez, who is also a member of Batangas City Cultural Affairs Committee, enhanced his knowledge about Filipino artists, their art background, and what the future holds in visual arts including putting up his own art gallery. Thus, Macuha Art Gallery was born.

Macuha’s aim is to support and promote Filipino national and regional visual arts. He currently maintains an online art gallery, www.macuha-artgallery.com that features his art collection. Jason Macuha plans to conduct art classes in the future.

Macuha Art Gallery is available for private viewing only. Art aficionados will need to book to visit the gallery. For appointments, please contact Macuha Art Gallery thru landline +632 – 802 3064, mobile +63 917 897 5698; or his email: jason@macuha-artgallery.com, Facebook and Twitter.