ROXAS City – A Grade 3 pupil here won the 3rd National Philippines-Japan Friendship Art Contest.
Cedric John Develos of Plaridel East Elementary School was declared the champion of the art contest sponsored by Japanese billionaire philanthropist Kenji Mori, a patron of the arts from Japan, and the Department of Education (DepEd).
With the theme “Dakilang Lahi”, the art contest aimed to showcase the talent in painting of Filipino elementary learners.
The event also celebrated decades of friendship, solidarity, trust and mutual understanding between the Philippines and Japan.
“Ang akon man pagpanginbulahan sa ginikanan ni Cedric nga sanday Lloyd Develos kag Nanileth Talahuron nga lunsay man mga artists kon sa diin niya nakuha ang iya abilidad,” said Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas.
He also cited the teachers at Plaridel East Elementary School for being supportive of the pupil’s talent.
In the hybrid event live-streamed on Facebook on June 28, Mori expressed how impressed he was with all the masterpieces done, as well as the warm gesture of the education sector as it played the Japanese national anthem.
“I was so impressed because you kindly sing our national anthem. We never experienced [such] respect, we educated our neighborhood [about] what happened during World War II, we are so impressed, Maraming, maraming salamat, Mabuhay!,” he said.
He said this painting contest, being a gesture of friendship, has been about coming clean to further foster talent and friendship.
There are 46 entries from all the regions nationwide.
Mori said he hopes the new administration would continue holding up the solid friendship the two nations have./PN
