THE LOYOLA Schools Awards for the Arts (LSAA) 2016 recognized 23 graduating seniors and superseniors of Batch 2016 who have exhibited excellence in their respective artistic disciplines.
The awarding ceremony was held on April 20 at Escaler Hall.
Out of the 51 students who applied for this year’s LSAA, 23 awardees were chosen in five different categories: Creative Writing, Theater Arts, Visual Arts, Dance, and Music. The list of awardees was released online on April 1.
Applicants were asked to submit a portfolio and a list of accomplishments, which included works published, art-related organizations involved in, workshops attended and fellowships received, awards received and competitions won, and art-related social and community projects involved in.
The application also required the applicants to write a 500-word artist’s statement, which discusses the applicant’s development as an artist.
According to Martin V. Villanueva, director of the Fine Arts Program, although all factors of the applications are taken into consideration, the judges of the Awards for the Arts Committee primarily discuss the artist’s strengths in their chosen artistic discipline as seen in the works submitted in their portfolio.
Artistic backgrounds
The awardees shared that they started immersing themselves in their respective artistic disciplines before they entered college, and that college helped them further develop their artistic skills.
Awardee for Visual Arts in Illustration Juan-C Concepcion said his background was mostly based on illustrating, and that his classes as an information design major allowed him to integrate more concepts of design in his illustrations.
“[My application] was sort of where I was able to combine my art background and design [skills learned] in college,” Concepcion added.
Theater Arts Awardee VJ Serag began acting in high school, and pursued his passion for theater during his college years as a member of Ateneo ENTABLADO.
He compared his experiences in high school and in college as a theater enthusiast, and realized theater productions in college required more effort, hard work, and dedication on the part of the cast and crew.
“Nakita ko yung mga kailangan doon, at nag-stay ako doon sa field of theater, kasi nag-enjoy din ako sa pag-aarte (I realized that this was what working in theater entailed, and I stayed in the field of theater, because I also enjoyed acting),” he expounded.
Meanwhile, Dance in Choreography Awardee Toneng Aguilar discussed how his transitioning from his hip hop background as president of Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan, Ateneo High School’s dance troupe, to his performances as a jazz dancer in the Company of Ateneo Dancers, to his experiences as a choreographer for different Ateneo ENTABLADO productions shaped him as a dancer.
Despite all these experiences, his work for Ateneo ENTABLADO motivated Aguilar to create more art, and helped him gain a new perspective on art. Choreographing for theater allowed him to look at the meaning beyond a dance piece.
“Since I’m from ENTA, there’s always a socio-political statement in whatever we do, so yun talaga yung pinakanag-push sa akin to create art (Since I’m from ENTA, there’s always a socio-political statement in whatever we do, so that’s what really pushed me to create art),” Aguilar said.
Motivation to apply
Aguilar mentioned he had doubts on being worthy of winning the award, but, after being encouraged by his friends and mentors, ultimately decided to submit an application, saying he “wouldn’t lose anything” if he applied.
“My friends really insisted, even my mentors, including some of those I’m really thankful for, like Dr. Jerry Respeto, Sir Jethro Tenorio, who pushed me to apply. I thought about it, and considered,” he shared.
Awardee for Creative Writing in Poetry Christine Imperial shared she saw a “good development” with her work, which her professors noticed, who then started encouraging her to apply for the award. She also applied to the LSAA to prove to herself that she was indeed improving in her craft.
“I’m still insecure about my abilities, so I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, to prove that my writing did develop. I think when you get the award, or when you apply for the award, you’re already putting in time to be recognized, putting in time for people to see you have a lot to offer for the arts,” Imperial said.
Awardee for Visual Arts in Graphic Design Cheska Mallillin saw the award as a source of validation, and wanted to know what the Awards for the Arts Committee thought about their work.
She said that her friends have previously been recipients of the award, and wanted to see if she could win the award as well.
“Parang kaka-inspire lang din to try, and triny ko talaga (It inspired me to try, and I really tried),” she added.
Sentiments
The awardees shared they were surprised upon hearing the news mostly because of the tough competition.
Imperial for the most part did not expect to make it to the final list of awardees, especially after hearing about the other applicants for poetry.
“I didn’t believe I was on par with them, so when I found out, it was a nice sense of validation,” she shared.
Villanueva also encouraged lowerclassmen to start honing their artistic abilities early.
“Think about how you’re developing your portfolio, and, also, finding ways for you to be involved in your artistic discipline,” he said.
Moreover, Awardee for Creative Writing in Literary Essay Tiff Conde called future aspirants of the award to motivate themselves “intrinsically.”
“The external motivations are the awards, the publications, and for me, I think more than the awards, it’s more important to find joy in the creative act itself. I think if that’s enough to get you out of bed in the morning, then I think that can sustain you,” she said.
