Philippine School (Bahrain) and Philippine School Doha bag the top prizes of CFO’s 2021 Canvas Painting Contest for PSOs

Philippine School (Bahrain) and Philippine School Doha bag the top prizes of CFO’s 2021 Canvas Painting Contest for PSOs

The winning artworks in the Canvas Painting Contest for PSOs. (Left) “As the Storm Ends” by Angellei O. Padua, Grade 11 student of Philippine School (Bahrain) and (Right) “Rebirth” by Cadeen Ahzcey H. Gimeno, Grade 6 pupil of the Philippine School Doha.

Angellei O. Padua, Grade 11 student of the Philippine School (Bahrain) and Cadeen Ahzcey H. Gimeno, Grade 6 pupil of the Philippine School Doha bagged the top prizes in the High School and Elementary categories, respectively, of the 2021 Canvas Painting Contest for Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) organized by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

Themed “Overseas Filipino Youth and the Global Pandemic: Recovery, Response and Resilience,” the contest aimed to collect artworks that depict the impact of the global pandemic on overseas Filipino youth, as well as highlight the role of young people as catalysts of inclusive and resilient societies in crisis response and in rising above the crisis.

Nur-Halimah M. Cana and King Tyrone S. Gelidon, both Grade 5 pupils of the Future Generation Philippine International School in Riyadh, KSA, won the 2nd and 3rd prizes in the Elementary category.

For the High School Category, Haera I. Guarino, Grade 11 student of the Philippine International School – Qatar in Doha and Jasmyne Ashley P. Cerrudo, Grade 10 student of the International Philippine School in Jeddah, KSA, won 2nd and 3rd prizes.

Padua’s artwork entitled “As the Storm Ends,” bested 28 entries in the High School category. She said that “symbols representing the Philippines can be seen throughout the piece, like the flag – a sight to identify the Filipino students from overseas. As the skies open wide to let the sun, stars and seas calm down from the passing storm, people would work together to maintain the progress in the development of both the self and the nation. Like how a dove comes back from a receding flood, we all can finally go back to learn in our schools and progress through new ways of learning, along with the integration of lessons we have realized in this passing pandemic.”

Gimeno’s artwork entitled “Rebirth,” bested 39 entries in the Elementary category. Her artwork was inspired by a bird, as she is always fascinated by birds, of how free and nature-dependent they are, and of how they are able to survive extreme environmental conditions. She described her artwork as, “Like an entirely naked hatchling, the corona virus has put the world in a very helpless situation; but as the bird slowly opens its eyes, grows its feathers, and starts to fly, we, wherever we may be in this part of the world, can also start a new life, rise above our own circumstances, and get through the COVID storm by being deeply rooted in our values as Filipinos (represented by the bamboo shoots at the bottom and the Philippine flag) by keeping the love for God, one’s family and others burning in our hearts (represented by the red heart); by standing strong together (represented by the youth holding each other’s hand); and by choosing to move forward (represented by the revolving gears) no matter what.”

The contest gathered 69 entries from Philippine schools in Bahrain, Italy, KSA, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The online awarding ceremony of the said painting competition was held on 23 December 2021, 2:00 p.m. (Manila Time), via Zoom and was also broadcasted over Facebook Live.

Justice Francisco P. Acosta, CFO Chairperson and Secretary, in his welcome message during the awarding ceremony, applauded the youth for their tenacity and resilience in this time of pandemic. He congratulated not only the winners, but all the original and imaginative minds of PSO students all over the globe who partook in the activity. He also lauded their parents, teachers and other mentors who have continuously guided the students in discovering and honing their God-given talents.

Director Marie D. Apattad of the CFO’s Project Management Division closed the short awarding ceremony. She thanked everyone who took the time to send entries to the competition and recognized the huge ocean of talents of the Filipino youth.

Aside from the winners, the awarding ceremony was attended by their school administrators, teachers, as well as their families.

The inter-school contest is an important activity, particularly as Philippine schools overseas also serve as sites of Filipino cultural and educational activities in the countries where they are established.