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Majayjay Banahaw Artists on the Rise

Last September 28, 2022 the town of Majayjay in Laguna successfully held its very first on-the-spot painting competition, dubbed “Salik-Sining”, using oil pastel and illustration board as the medium. The objective of the competition was to discover (“saliksik”) the visual artists of Majayjay. To assist us in determining the best visual artists, Maestro Fernando Sena (well-known as the Father of Philippine Art Workshops) was engaged to supervise the competition and evaluate the artworks based on four criteria, namely, theme relevance (“Magandang Buhay sa Bagong Majayjay”), creativity, originality, and technical skills). Out of 35 contestants, six emerged as the major winners: for Level 1 (ages 8 to 14) – Russel Lagubana (1^st), Althea Codera (2^nd) and Marie Jecelle Dalauta (3^rd) and for Level 2 (ages 15 and above) – Jetro Piolo Llagas (1^st), Charles Miguel Barba (2^nd) and Renz Arapan (3^rd). There were six others (4^th to 6^th placers) who were declared “honorable mentions” (Naomie Marie Cube, Raffielle Rose Arquiza, Jared Noriel, Jerimiah Dorado, Fedebel Joice Tungohan, and JC Ann Obia). For prizes, the major winners received cash, medals and certificates of recognition from the Majayjay Tourism, Culture, Arts and Trade Office. The others received a copy each of Mr. Sena’s books on drawing and oil pastel painting. The school of 1^st placer Russel Lagubana, namely Sta. Catalina Integrated National High School, also received the same art books as special tokens.

The “On-the-spot Painting Competition” was a crucial first step to achieve the overall goal of Banahaw Artists Association Inc. (BAAI). The BAAI was organized by Nannette Guinto Amorado, wife of newly-elect Mayor of Majayjay, Honorable Romeo Perez Amorado, primarily to contribute to the human, economic and social development of Majayjay through arts and culture. Herself an alumna of development organizations at the national, regional, and global levels [Private Development Corporation of the Philippines (PDCP), Asian Development Bank (ADB) based in Manila, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) based in New York] and being a visual artist, she believes art can enhance the quality of lives of people in all aspects: spiritual, personal, and financial. On August 29, 2022, BAAI has been duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock non-profit organization. The other incorporators of BAAI are Eriberto Soriano, Charmilene Esquillo, Calvert Sobrevinas, Jimuel Miraber, and Mark Jay Arcilla. The other officers are Juliana Narra, John Mark Lexster Rondola, and Jethro Jocson. BAAI has a growing membership and is now getting recognized by the community. Thanks to the very successful event, held as part of the Anilinang Festival in Majayjay, in coordination with Tourism Office head Maricel Vitasa-Granada. Thanks, too, to the time and expertise shared by Maestro Fernando Sena. The Majayjayens are “Sena-phoric” and want to learn more from him!

Watch the BAAI (also known as Majayjay Banahaw Artists) rise as they are seriously aiming to make Majayjay the Art Capital of Laguna!