We don’t normally include in this site news about developments in the Philippines including politics, economics, technology, education, and property developments.

But the news that in the Philippines will soon rise the world’s largest domed arena will be an exception.

The arena called “Philippine Arena” would have 50,000 seats ~ more than three times the 16,000 seats of Araneta Coliseum or more than twice the size of the largest domed arena in the United States. Visit this page > World’s largest domed arena to rise in the Philippines

If only for its academic significance on how a third-world country like the Philippines can build the world’s largest domed arena, we thought that this development should be included in this site.

It’s going to be a very interesting multi-dimensional study!

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AN 18-YEAR OLD ARCHITECTURE major and a former OFW are among the winners of this year’s Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) national competition in interior design, painting, and sculpture.

[Photo of grand prize winner, sculpture. More photos at emanila photogallery]

Dennis T. Atienza, who worked for two years as an all-around artist for a flower shop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, bagged the 2nd place in the painting competition-oil on canvas category, for his work “Departed, Deported;” while Elrine D. Vicaldo of Far Eastern University won the grand prize in sculpture competition for her creation “Lesson of the Bird.”

Also bringing home the plum in the painting competition-oil on canvas category, are 25-year old Ronald L. Jeresano, who snatched the grand prize for his work “I’m Still Hoping;” and John Paul V. Antido of Antipolo City, who garnered the 3rd prize for “Mapping the Roots.” For the water media on paper category, Raffy T. Napay of Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology garnered the highest award for his work “Mahiwagang Pagbubukas, Galaw na Walang Wakas;”  while the special prize went to La Union native Janeil B. Arlegui for his creation “Into the Void: The Refinement of Our Culture?”

In the interior design competition with sustainable design as its anchor, University of the Philippines alumna April Rose A. Frigillana won the grand prize for her work “Nature’s Links;” while Adrian P. Del Monte of Cebu got the special prize for his work “Casita.”

Together with Vicaldo, fine arts graduate Byron P. Salarza also shone in the sculpture competition, picking up the special prize for his mixed-media masterpiece “Wind Power.”

This year, MADE also awarded the Metrobank Foundation Prize for Achievement in Sculpture, a special recognition for mid-career sculptors, to Salvador Joel Alonday for consistently creating a body of work that exemplifies excellence and dedicated craftsmanship.

The grand prize winners will receive P200,000 each, while the special prize winners will receive P150,000. The 2nd and 3rd place in oil painting category on the other hand, will receive P170,000 and P150,000, respectively. In addition to cash prizes, the winners will also receive a trophy designed by glass artist and former MADE winner Noell El Farol.

The winning works will be on exhibit from September 13 to 15, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Le Pavillon, Metropolitan Park, Roxas Blvd. cor. EDSA, Pasay City.     A lecture series dubbed as MADE Art Exploration Series, will also be held at the venue on Sept. 13 and 15, 1:30-5:00 p.m. It will feature renowned speakers such as Arch. Felino Palafox, Ann Pamintuan, Arch. Paulo Alcazaren, Leo Almeria, among others.  Admission is free. (See attached lecture schedule.)

Now on its 24th year, MADE has served as a launching pad for many young and bright Filipino artists. It is presented by the Metrobank Foundation, in partnership with the Metrobank Card Corporation, Federal land, United Architects of the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Interior Designers, and BluPrint magazine.

MADE advocates through the arts, a creative and sustainable environment for holistic human development, thus its tagline “Your Environment Shapes You.” Besides an annual competition, MADE’s interventions in the arts also include a grants program that allows it to support various art educational and training activities as well as facilities improvements of key art institutions.

The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies. Over the last 29 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, the Outstanding Teachers, the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and the College Scholarship Program. The Foundation also has a grants program that assists NGO and the government in the fields of education, health care, and the arts.  /Cherry C. Bobadilla,  Manila Doctors College, Metrobank Foundation