By Xander Ledesma
Cadiz City, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has launched a call for entries to its annual painting competition, focusing on Visayan life. This year, the competition opens to artists across the Visayas, expanding beyond its previous Negros Island-wide scope. The contest is part of the city’s Lunsod Lunsad initiative, a project recognized for promoting creative industries and economic prosperity.
The theme for this year’s competition is “Pagsibol sa Kabihasnang Pamumuhay” (Visayan life), inviting artists aged 18 and above from the region to submit their works. The grand prize winner will take home PHP200,000, with additional prizes for runners-up and minor awards. This initiative is expected to highlight the rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions of the Visayan people through visual art.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. emphasized that the city has long been a proponent of the arts, with Cadiz recently earning recognition as a creative city by the DTI. The city’s ongoing efforts aim to strengthen its creative economy and offer a platform for artistic expression, contributing to the growth of local culture.
Entries must be 32 x 26 inches in size and created using oil or acrylic on canvas. The competition will culminate during Cadiz’s 51st Dinagsa Festival in January 2024. Artists can submit their works via courier or drop them off in person at the Cadiz City Arena between January 6 and 10. The deadline for submission ensures that all entries arrive in time for the festival’s exhibition.