Visual Arts National Competition

During its early years, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (now PLDT, Inc.) (PLDT) and Directories Philippines Corporation (DPC) (formerly General Telephone Directory Company (GTDC), GTE Directories Corporation (GTEDC) and GTE Directories (Philippines) Corporation (GTEDPC) published telephone directories with photographs of national landmarks, tourist spots in Metro Manila, and other national scenes on the cover. These covers were the winning entries of the photography contests organized by PLDT. The participants came mostly from PLDT’s camera club. It wasn’t until mid-1986 that then-Directories Philippines Corporation (DPC) President Mr. Jose D. Laig and PLDT Executive Vice President Mr. Ricardo Zarate decided to explore the telephone directory as a potent venue for student artists and a significant participant in the upliftment of visual arts in the country.

1st Visual Arts Competition (1987-1988)

The first Board of Judges during the 1987 VAC consisted of distinguished members of the art community, namely painters Mauro Malang and Jose Blanco, art critic Cid Reyes, Camera Club of the Philippines president Jose Ma. Fernandez and museum curator Eva Toledo. The awarding ceremony was held on January 12, 1987, at the 2nd Floor Gallery, Hotel Inter-Continental, Makati.

Winners

1. Grand Prize Winner: “Pacific Rhythm”, 33” x 27” acrylic on shaped wood artwork entry of Perfecto “Jun” Baloloy, Jr. of the Far Eastern University
2. Second Prize Winner: “Dinagyang” 22” x 18” oil on canvas artwork entry of Ramona Basco of the University of Santo Tomas
3. Third Prize Winner: “Vanishing Socio Political Cultural Silhouettes” of Far Eastern University
4. Fourth Prize Winner: “Wonders of the World”, entry of Cornelio Awa, Jr. of the University of Santo Tomas
5. Fifth Prize Winner: untitled artwork entry of Alfredo Aquilizan of the Philippine Women’s University

2nd Visual Arts National Competition (1988-1989)

The first year that an official theme for the PLDT-DPC Visual Arts National Competition was set was in 1988. Appropriately, the first unifying theme introduced by the competition was “Communication in Unity and Progress”.

Winners

1. Grand Prize Winner: “Epoch in Communication” by Jaime “Jim” Battad, Jr. of the University of Santo Tomas
2. Second Prize Winner: “Pasa-pasang Paraang ng Pakikipag-ugnayan” by Emmanuel Gonzales of the University of the East
3. Third Prize Winner: “Minsan sa Bayan ni Juan” by Romeo Melgar of Technological University of the Philippines
4. Fourth Prize Winner: “The Magic of Sound” by Allen Casacop of Technological University of the Philippines
5. Fifth Prize Winner: “Tawag ng Panaginip” by Ceasar Peralta of Far Eastern University

3rd Visual Arts National Competition (1989-1990)

An enduring legacy of our Hispanic past is the fiesta, a social and communal celebration of our Christian faith. 

In 1989, the VAC decided to take inspiration from the natural beauty and cultural attractions of the Philippines by having “Fiesta Islands” as the competition’s theme. The competition yielded a great variety of entries – many of superior quality.

From 1989 to the present, the trophies and plaques of all VAC winners were designed and executed by National Artist for Sculpture, Napoleon V. Abueva. The trophies and plaques are in themselves priceless art pieces that are fitting souvenirs of each winner’s victory.

Winners

1. Grand Prize Winner: “Islands Fiesta” by Neil Manalo of Far Eastern University
2. Second Prize Winner: “Fiesta de Colores” by Roland Wong of Philippine Women’s University
3. Third Prize Winner: “Fiesta Filipina” by Joseph Ju. Balderas of University of Santo Tomas
4. Fourth Prize Winner: “Hiwagang Pag-uugnay ng mga Pilipinong Pinagbuklod-buklod ng Pistang Alay ng Pananampalataya” by Mario Uy of Far Eastern University
5. Fifth Prize Winner: “Pistang Pilipino” by Ronaldo Ocate of University of the Philippines-Diliman

4th Visual Arts National Competition (1990-1991)

In 1990-1991, the preservation of the environment provided the focal point for the art contest. With the theme, “The Environment and Our Future”, the board of judges was composed of National Artist Lucrecia Kasilag, visual artists Danilo Dalena, painter Ben Cabrera, painter Juvenal Sanso and museum curator Eva Toledo.

Winners

1. Grand Prize Winner: “Aanhin Pa ang Damo kung Patay na ang Kabayo” by Mario Uy of Far Eastern University
2. Second Prize Winner: “Noon, Ngayon at Bukas” by Edward Mata Guerrero of the University of Santo Tomas
3. Third Prize Winner: “Ang Gintong Ani” by Giovanni de la Rosa of Far Eastern University
4. Fourth Prize Winner: “Nature: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” by Ramil Zafra of the University of the Philippines-Cebu
5. Fifth Prize Winner: “Dahon ng Buhay” by Ariel Constantino

5th Visual Arts National Competition (1991-1992)

Reflective of the worrying social, economic, and political difficulties which buffeted our country at the time was hope for “Peace and Unity”. This was the competition theme for 1991-1992. Once more, the country found itself at a crossroad—an impending change in political administration. What was needed by the people at that time was the acknowledgment of harmony between government and citizenry, church and state, labor and capital, and the various class levels of Philippine society. 

Composing the board of judges was photographer Wig Tysman; artist Onib Olmedo; Eric Torres, critic and curator of the Ateneo Art Gallery; and Eva Toledo, museum curator.

Winners

1991-1992 Metro Manila Telephone Directory (June 1991-May 1992)
Cover: "Magkabalikat sa Iisang Mithiin"

• Grand Prize Winner: “Magkabalikat sa Iisang Mithiin” by Rizal D. Maddela of Far Eastern University
• Second Prize Winner: “Nakasulyap, Nangangarap ng Bukang-Liwayway” by Alfredo D. Esquillo, Jr. from the University of Santo Tomas
• Third Prize Winner: “Kapit-Bisig Upang Kapayapaan ay Makamtan” by Dante Dones of Technological University of the Philippines
• Fourth Prize Winner: “Divine Unified Field is the Root of Peace and Goodwill” by Giovanni dela Rosa of Far Eastern University
• Fifth Prize Winner: “Sama-Sama Tungo sa Kapayapaan” by Arturo G. Reyes, Jr. of the Technological University of the Philippines

6th Visual Arts National Competition (1992-1993)

The spirit of nationalism prevailed as the art contest’s focus for 1992-1993, which the theme “Ang Pangarap ng Bayan”. Judges during the event were National Artists Leandro Locsin and Arturo Luz; Dr. Paul Zafaralla, art critic and chairman of the Humanities Department of UP Los Baños; art critic and art historian Dr. Rod Paras Perez; painter, art columnist, and AAP Secretary General Jeannie Javelosa.

Winners

1992-1993 PLDT-GTEDPC Metro Manila Telephone Directory (June 1992-May 1993)

• Grand Prize Winner: “Sama-sama, Tulong-tulong, Kaunlaran Para sa Ating Lahat” by Modesto P. Saldana, Jr. of Far Eastern University
• Second Prize Winner: “Malipay na Kita Bowas (Happy is Our Tomorrow)” by Errol Heracleo Marabiles of the University of the Philippines-Cebu
• Third Prize Winner: “Pangarap Mo’t Katuparan Nito – Handog Mo kay Jun-Jun” by Alfredo Esquillo, Jr. from the University of Santo Tomas
• Fourth Prize Winner: “Bayan, Mangarap Ka! Imulat ang Iyong mga Mata” by Oscar C. Santos of Philippine Women’s University-Manila
• Fifth Prize Winner: “Iba’t Ibang Lahi, Iba’t Ibang Lipi, Iba’t Ibang Paniniwala, Iisang Adhikain” by Eduardo Gonzales of Far Eastern University

7th Visual Arts National Competition (1993-1994)

The 1993-1994 Visual Arts National Competition carried the theme “The Decade of the Centennials of Filipino Nationalism, Nationhood and the Philippine Revolutionary Movement” in celebration of the Centennial of the Philippine Revolution. Judges during the contest were Hon. Hilario Francia, Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the Culture Committee of UNESCO, National Commission of the Philippines, sculptor and AAP president Ramon Orlina, artist Virgilio “Pandy” Aviado, artist Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, and from the advertising industry, McCann-Erickson’s Executive Creative Director Jose Venezuela.

Winners

1993-1994 PLDT-DPC Metro Manila Telephone Directory (June 1993-May 1994)

• Grand Prize Winner: “Sagisag ng Dakilang Pilipino” by Rodrigo R. Clapano of Philippine Women’s University
• Second Prize Winner: “Sa Dugo Itinitik and Pamana ng Supremo” by Ricardo Gerri Dueñas from St. Scholastica’s College
• Third Prize Winner: “Handog at Pasasalamat” by Alfredo Esquillo Jr. of University of Santo Tomas
• Fourth Prize Winner: “Mahal Kong Pilipinas” by Paul Richard S. Infante of University of the Philippines-Diliman
• Fifth Prize Winner: “Ugat” by Peter A. Abordo of University of Santo Tomas 

8th Visual Arts National Competition (1994-1995)

For 1994-1995, the theme selected was “Shaping Our Future”, which drew the students to their vision of our future and, more importantly, how people can influence and shape it. Tapped as judges were National Artist Dean Napoleon V. Abueva, Hiraya Gallery proprietor Desiree Dee; painters Romulo Galicano, Jerry Elizalde Navarro, and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz.

The print advertisement for the marketed-segmented 1995-1996 PLDT-DPC Metro Manila Telephone Directory, now with two volumes: Vol. I - Household and Business, Vol. II - Commercial and Industrial. The edition has four volumes, the single-volume bound Yellow Pages directory was replaced by the same, and the White Pages has two volumes: Vol. III - Government & Business and Vol. IV - Residential Listings.

1994-1995 PLDT-DPC Metro Manila Telephone Directory (June 1994-May 1995)

• Grand Prize Winner: “Paghubog at Paglinang sa mga Bagong Sibol Tungo sa Maunlad at Matatag na Kinabukasan” by Armando E. Flaviano of the University of the East
• Second Prize Winner: “Bakas ng Nakalipas, Kabalikat Bukas” by Bernardo E. Balagtas of the University of the Philippines-Diliman
• Third Prize Winner: “Hinugpong na Kamot Para sa Aton Buas Damlag” by Primitivo Ceferino D. Deocades of La Consolacion College-Bacolod
• Fourth Prize Winner: “Tulung-tulong, Sama-sama sa Pagbuo at Pagpapayaman ng Kalikasan Tungo sa Masaganang Kinabukasan” by Rhea C. Dela Rosa of Far Eastern University-Manila
• Fifth Prize Winner: “Karunungang Panloob, Kagalingang Panlabas ang Huhubog Nitong Bukas” by Nilo T. Evangelista of University of the East-Manila