Life is a Canvas

Art, Design and Fashion are alive and kicking at the PWC of Davao! The 3 disciplines are encapsulated in the most comprehensive academic training, studio work and international exposure in PWC of Davao’s Helena Z Benitez School of Fine Arts & Culture. As a pioneering and only CHED-accredited Fine Arts degree-granting institution in Mindanao, PWC Fine Arts proved once again its stead with a number of local, national and international awards in a period of 4 months since school year 2009-2010 opened last June.

Second Year Painting major, Eugene Canadilla, just arrived from a 3-month scholarship in Indonesia. He was the only student awardee from the Philippines who made up a global pool of artists and artisans from 30 countries across seven continents. He completed training in Indonesian arts and culture from July 20 to October 22. He also performed in the Indonesia Channel 2009’s One World, Diversed Culture, One Destiny, held at the Mangkunegaran Palace-Solo, Jakarta, last October 18. During the 3-month stint, he was a painting and sculpture artist-in-residence in the island Bali, known for its well-preserved culture since the Madjapahit Empire. The exposure gave him also the opportunity to explore the different art centers of Indonesia.

For the second time, the PWC Fine Arts Program has been cited for its
Excellence in Curricular Program of Studies in Arts & Design during the 42^nd Shell National Students Painting Competition held at the Ayala Museum in Makati last October 20. Two Fashion Illustration students won top honors in the Watercolor Category. Besting over 500 entries nationwide, Ruby Jane Mascariñas clinched the 2^nd highest place and went home richer with P 35,000.00 cash, medal and trophy. Jun Rodino Artajo was hailed Honorable Mention with a cash prize, a trophy and a medal. The two were consistent national finalists of the competition together with another PWC Painting major, Julius Lu.

At the recently concluded PRC Licensure Examinations for Interior Designers, Batch 2008 graduate and FA President,
Che Alexi Ellson, was among the 119 successful examinees who hurdled the tight 50% national passing rate. PWC’s sterling performance and training in Interior Design is further validated by its 6 interior design alumni and 2 current painting students who were fielded to the United Arab Emirates for an all-expense paid 3-month Theme Park Design contract complemented with a monthly salary, overtime fees, and an opportunity to work further in overseas projects in Europe, Egypt and around the Middle East.

Last August, Fashion Illustration students ruled the Kaniyogan Accessory Design Competition by taking eight out of the ten top finalists and bagging the Best Casual and Formal Accessories and the Over-all Champion awards with more than P 20,000.00 in cash prizes. The winning streak continued in Tagum Durian Festival’s Accessory Design feat. John Glenn Rañon, a 1^st Year Fashion Illustration major, designed and produced on-the-spot a durian clutch bag to get the nod of the judges and romp away the Grand Prix trophy.

-by Emi Englis