GSIS honors winners of the 21st National Art Competition

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) proudly announced the winners of its 21st National Art Competition during the awarding ceremonies held on June 15 at the GSIS Theater.

This year’s competition carried the theme “Ang Mga Pilipinong Lingkod Bayan,” challenging artists to create positive and inspiring representations of Filipino public servants in the performance of their duties.

The competition drew 700 entries from artists nationwide under the representational category, the sole category featured this year. Of the total entries received, 622 came from Luzon, 50 from the Visayas, and 28 from Mindanao.

Delmar J. Torrano won first prize for his work Pusong Itinanghal. John Morri U. Cariño secured second prize for Tyan-gol, while Jose Ceriola placed third for Medic Kit. Through their artistry and storytelling, the winning entries captured the dedication, sacrifice, and humanity of Filipino public servants.

The seven honorable mentions are Erlinda Reynoso Araullo for Ukit ng Lipunan: Mga Haligi, Jose Paolo B. Meneses for Espantahong Basyo, Jose Cruz Mariano for Hanap Buhay,  Elgene De Guzman Bautista for Marcela Marino De Agoncillo, Nino Cris Odosis for “Hudyat” Malasakit at Kalinga, Dominic B. Escobar for Communion with the Teacher, and Wilferdo T. Canete Jr. for Beyond the Call.

Three earned the juror’s choice award, namely, Mark Joseph L. Bello for Manggagawang Humubog ng Manggagawa, Fernando Matus Jr. for Gintong Parangal kay Titser Lorna sa Wagas na Pisara, and Gretel Bularin Balajadia for Puso Ng Liwanag (lumilipas Ngunit Di Kumukupas).

“In celebrating our 89th anniversary, we wanted to place the spotlight not on GSIS, but on the men and women who quietly keep public service moving every day. Through this competition, our artists helped us see the Filipino public servant with fresh eyes and reminded us that the life of every lingkod bayan deserves to be seen, remembered, and honored,” GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said.

Veloso noted that government workers often remain in the background of the national story despite their vital role in serving communities. He said the competition sought to recognize these individuals through art and encourage deeper appreciation for public service.

To ensure the integrity of the selection process, GSIS gathered a distinguished panel of jurors among which are renowned visual artist Romulo Galicano, artist and cultural advocate Imelda Cajipe Endaya, and Nemesio Miranda Jr.

The GSIS National Art Competition continues to attract both established and emerging artists from across the country. Open to all Filipino citizens aged 18 and above, the competition has become one of the country’s longest-running and most prestigious government-sponsored art competitions.

A partner of GSIS, the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) has played a vital role in sustaining and elevating the competition over the years.

AAP President Fidel Sarmiento commended GSIS for its longstanding support of Filipino artists and for elevating the National Art Competition into one of the country’s most prestigious art events.

“Ang GSIS ang siyang nanguna sa pagbibigay ng mas mataas na pagpapahalaga sa mga artist sa pamamagitan ng awarding ceremony na memorable para sa mga nananalo. Maraming salamat sa GSIS sa patuloy nitong pagsuporta sa sining at sa mga Filipino artist,” Sarmiento said.

The winning artworks will become part of the GSIS permanent art collection and will be featured in the institution’s 90th anniversary calendar.

Following the awarding ceremony, GSIS formally opened the 21st National Art Competition Exhibit, allowing guests to view the winning entries, finalists, and selected artworks. The exhibit is housed at the recently rehabilitated GSIS Museo ng Sining, which continues to serve as a venue for promoting Filipino creativity and preserving the country’s rich artistic heritage.

“Art allows us to tell the stories of our people in ways that statistics and reports cannot. By preserving these works in the GSIS Museo ng Sining, we ensure that future generations will continue to appreciate the contributions of Filipino public servants and the artists who bring their stories to life,” Veloso ended.