The show, featuring over a hundred works from the country’s most promising talents in painting, sculpture, and mixed media, runs at The M in BGC until Oct. 18, 2025.
Manila, Philippines—Exploring the boundless potential of Philippine contemporary art, the 2025 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) exhibition, titled “Vast Horizons,” has officially opened its doors at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M) in Bonifacio Global City. The exhibition, free to the public until October 18, 2025, serves as a significant platform for the next generation of Filipino artists.
This year’s competition named three Grand Awardees: Rober Mark A. Liwanag for sculpture, Jao Eugene S. Pelaez for mixed media, and Jack Enriquez De Castro for painting. Their winning pieces stood out among over a hundred works from finalists and semi-finalists, showcasing exceptional creativity and technical skill.
The grand award includes a P350,000 cash prize, a brass trophy, and a P150,000 scholarship to the prestigious Eskinita Art Residency Program.
Special citations were awarded to John Michael Martines Delmo (sculpture), Rhoss John Farro Gadiana (mixed media), Marc Allan Elizan Jose (painting), and Benedict John Inigo Simbulan (painting), who each received a P100,000 cash prize and a trophy.
National finalists were also recognized with a P20,000 cash prize.
The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), now celebrating MADE’s 41st year, reaffirms its role in shaping the nation’s cultural landscape. “We believe the growth of Filipino artists contributes to building a more vibrant and cohesive nation,” said MBFI President Philip Dy. “Through MADE, we’re committed to cultivating boundless spaces for expression, innovation, and lifelong learning.”
According to head judge and former MADE awardee Toym Leon Imao, this commitment to community is a cornerstone of the program. “This is not just a contest—this is community building,” Imao emphasized. “Beyond the prize money, it’s the community you belong to, the circle of winners, and the support mechanism that comes afterwards. MADE is the benchmark and the gold standard for art competitions in the country.”
The 2025 edition marked a milestone with the triumphant return of the mixed media category for the first time since the 1980s and a record-breaking number of entries, which surpassed targets by over 300%. This surge was credited to a fully digital submission and judging platform, enhancing the competition’s inclusivity and national reach.
The program’s prestige is further underscored by its distinguished judges, including Leeroy New, Raffy Napay, Frederick Flores, Geraldine Araneta, Reginald Yuson, and Tessa Maria Guanzon.
The exhibition was formally launched on September 19, an event graced by broadcast journalist Karen Davila and the Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, Endo Kazuya.
Established in 1984 by Dr. George S. K. Ty, MADE remains MBFI’s flagship initiative, dedicated to discovering talent and providing year-round artist development through workshops and mentoring programs.
Photos: MADE
