STUDENTS from the University of St. La Salle (USLS) and La Consolacion College (LCC) were declared champions during the 8th VMC (Victorias Milling Company) Inter-School Art Contest held on Nov. 25 at Acacia Convention Center in Bacolod City.
Kris Edward Belaguas of USLS bagged the gold for the elementary level and Jhodie May Salomon of LCC for the secondary level.
The other winners for the elementary level were Heart Sta. Maria of Silay South Elementary School (1st runner-up) and Zhyenaiah Tonogbanua of Shiloh Christian School Inc. (2nd runner-up)
Sophia Emerald Caminong of Gil Lopez Elementary School and Sheena Rain Reyes of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos each received consolation prizes, including P5,000 in cash.
Secondary-level winners, meanwhile, were Stephen Jay Gallano of La Castellana National High School (1st runner-up) and Erin Ysabelle Dosayla of LCC (2nd runner-up).
Consolation prizes, including P5,000 cash, were also given to Adrian Andrade of E.B. Magalona National High School and Bear Jay Bermeo of LCC.
The winners for the elementary level received P20,000, P15,000, and P10,000 for the champion and first and second runners-up, respectively, while in the secondary level, the winners received P30,000, P20,000 and P15,000, respectively.
Aside from the cash they received, they were also given trophies and VMC goods. The schools of the champions were also given each a television set.
“VMC and the VMC Foundation remain committed to promoting the artistic and cultural development of the youth through this annual Interschool Art Contest. No other competition in the Philippines offers such an opportunity to the young in the field of visual arts,” Anne Tiongco, VMC Foundation executive director, said.
This year’s theme is “My Role in Society.”
Tiongco said the theme aims to drive the value of growth and development among our youth and their role in their community, our society, and nation-building in general./PN