MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) has officially opened the 2025 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) Exhibition, Vast Horizons, running from September 19 to October 18 at The M, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Free and open to the public, the month-long showcase presents over a hundred paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works from this year’s awardees, semi-finalists, and national finalists.
Now on its 41st year, MADE continues its mission of nurturing and celebrating the next generation of Filipino artists. This year marks a significant milestone with the revival of the Mixed Media category last seen from 1984 to 1987 – reflecting the program’s deep roots while signaling a forward-looking evolution in Philippine contemporary art.
At the exhibition launch, Mixed Media Grand Awardee Jao Eugene S. Pelaez presented his work Tulad ng Isang Halaman na Minsan Nanirahan (Like a Plant That Once Lived) to distinguished guests, including broadcast journalist Karen Davila and Ambassador of Japan Endo Kazuya.
The 2025 Grand Awardees are:
Sculpture: Rober Mark A. Liwanag, Sariling Tahanan, (…And We Are Home)
Mixed Media: Jao Eugene S. Pelaez, Tulad ng Isang Halaman na Minsan Nanirahan (Like a Plant That Once Lived)
Painting (Oil/Acrylic on Canvas): Jack Enriquez De Castro, Finding the Light Within
Special Citations were also given to John Michael Martines Delmo (Bagahe) and Rhoss John Farro Gadiana (I See Era) for Sculpture and Mixed Media, respectively. In the Painting category, Marc Allan Elizan Jose (The Road You’ve Never Taken) and Benedict John Iñigo Simbulan (Gunita) were likewise recognized.
A distinguished panel of judges, led by celebrated artist and former MADE awardee Toym Leon Imao, selected the winners after a rigorous evaluation process. They were joined by fellow art luminaries Leeroy New, Raffy Napay, Reginald Yuson, Frederick Flores, Geraldine Araneta, and curator Tessa Maria Guazon.
Grand Awardees each received PhP500,000 worth of prizes, comprising PhP350,000 in cash and a PhP150,000 scholarship for the Eskinita Art Residency Program, under the mentorship of former MADE awardee Alfredo Esquillo. Awardees also took home the iconic “More” trophy, sculpted by Juan Sajid, which transitioned from steel to brass this year to symbolize art’s ever-evolving nature.
Artists granted Special Citations received PhP100,000 cash prizes and the “More” trophy, while national finalists were awarded PhP20,000 each along with a Plaque of Recognition.
MBFI President Philip Dy emphasized the program’s broader role in national development, saying: “We believe that the growth of Filipino artists contributes to building a more vibrant and cohesive nation. Through MADE, we are committed to cultivating boundless spaces for expression, innovation, and lifelong learning so that our artists can continue to shape not just the country’s cultural legacy but also inspire new ways of thinking.”
Former awardee Toym Leon Imao regards the MADE competition as the benchmark and the gold standard: “This [MADE] is not just a contest–this is community building. Beyond the prize money, it is the community you belong to, the circle of winners, the support mechanism that comes afterwards. And of course, the prestige that this art competition brings.”
“It’s a great honor for me to be a partner of the Metrobank Foundation because I started my artistic journey here. We hope that this link will be very successful in terms of helping the new MADE winners develop as an artist. It’s important for us at Eskinita that they continue creating art after joining MADE competition,” shared Alfredo Esquillo, former MADE awardee and mentor.
Beyond the competition and exhibition, MADE remains a driving force in empowering Filipino artists through year-round activities such as workshops, mentoring programs, and partnerships. For over four decades, the program has recognized more than 200 artists and contributed significantly to the growth of Philippine art.
