Pinay student recognized at intl arts fest in Tokyo

A 16-year-old Filipino high school student bagged a special prize at a recent international arts festival in Tokyo, the Philippine Embassy in Japan reported Thursday. Jamille Bianca Tan Aguilar, 16, won a medal and certificate for a “Special Prize to International Artist" at the 12th International High School Arts Festival, according to the embassy. It said Aguilar, a student of MGC New Life Christian Academy at Fort Bonifacio Global City, was awarded Wednesday at the Ueno Seiyoken in Tokyo. Her painting titled “Me and My Country — Celebration of Nationalism and Patriotism" was selected by a panel of judges from the embassy as the best Philippine artwork.

Ambassador Manuel Lopez and Madame Maria Teresa Lopez (2nd and 3rd from left) and 3rd Secretary & Vice Consul Hans Siriban (leftmost) join Jamille Bianca Tan Aguilar (2nd from right) and her mother Jocelyn Tan Aguilar beside her winning entry to the 12th International High School Arts Festival at the Ueno Royal Museum.

During the awarding ceremony, International Foundation for Arts and Culture of Japan (IFAC) chair Dr. Haruhisa Handa praised the potentials and high level of artistic skills shown by Aguilar and the other students, the embassy said. For her part, Aguilar thanked her family as well as IFAC and others who made it possible for her to come to Japan to receive her prize. The Philippines, which participated in the festival for the second time, submitted six paintings created by high school students from all over the country. Aside from Aguilar, other Filipinos who took part included Patrick Prime AB Villaos (Palawan), Claire Magtuba (Zamboanga del Norte), Junel Cesar (Zamboanga del Norte), Loverson Saracho (Zamboanga del Norte), and Alia Julia Pablo (Laguna). The Filipino students’ paintings were displayed along with artworks created by high school students from over 10 countries at the Ueno Royal Museum. This year’s festival runs until July 29. The festival is an annual event that showcases the talents of young people from different countries in visual arts. It aims to promote goodwill and understanding among participating countries through the medium of art. This year’s festival was participated in by high school students from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. — JE, GMA News