CADIZ CITY, Negros Occidental—For the first time, Cadiz City has launched a Visayas-wide painting competition, culminating in January next year during its 51st Dinagsa Festival.
The competition, themed “Pagsibol sa Kabihasnang Pamumuhay” (Visayan Life), is open to all artists 18 years old and above from the Visayas region.
The grand prize winner will receive PHP 200,000.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, a well-known art connoisseur in Negros, called the initiative an “ambitious project” to expand their reach across the Visayas.
“But art knows no boundaries,” he said. “We need to broaden our horizons for the sake of other artists in the Visayas waiting to be discovered.”
Escalante established Cadiz’s painting contest shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Initially, only Cadiz-based artists participated.
When the pandemic hit, local artists faced significant challenges, prompting Escalante to find a platform for them to cope with the health crisis and mental stress.
Displaying their works through mall exhibits helped them navigate the difficulties brought on by the pandemic.
Inspired by their resilience, Escalante expanded the competition the following year to include artists from CaSaMa (Cadiz-Sagay-Manapla), the Second District. The contest was held twice annually, during the Dinagsa Festival in January and Cadiz Charter Month in July.
Seeing its positive impact, Escalante extended the contest last year to include participants from across Negros Island, which was met with great success.
For the competition’s fifth year, he opened it to artists throughout the Visayas region.
“This is our way of exposing our local artists to their Visayan counterparts, broadening their perspectives,” Escalante said.
“Art is life. It makes each person special. That’s why Cadiz is now welcoming other Visayan artists to showcase their talents,” he emphasized.
“We need to learn more about Visayan life through art,” he added.
Escalante highlighted that this initiative aligns with Cadiz’s status in the Department of Trade and Industry’s Lungsod Lunsad Program, which recognizes creative cities.
The joy art brings, he noted, and its storytelling power make it one of the best ways to connect with people and communities.
“Truly, there’s ‘it’ in it!” Escalante quipped.
Key details for participation:
- Dimensions: 32 x 26 inches (vertical or horizontal)
- Mediums: Oil or acrylic on canvas
- Eligibility: Open to Visayan residents 18 years and older
- Registration: Sign up at competition form link (https://forms.gle/5Xssz2QdT9p9pmSJ9)
- Submission options:
- Via courier between January 6-8, 2025, to ensure timely arrival.
- Walk-in submissions at Cadiz City Arena on January 9-10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
