At first glance, an art piece depicting a young boy in a red cape, black mask, and wearing slippers, was just an ordinary thing amid a sea of paintings.
But that piece of an innocent looking boy, who stood as the quiet hero – the famous “Superman” – got the judges’ nod and snatched the P100,000 grand prize in Cadiz City’s province-wide painting competition – latest edition – that culminated July 2 at the Cadiz Arena.
This art piece was an entry of Talisay City native Zanzibar Abonado.
Abonado simply imagined, reimagined, and later portrayed on canvas a child, wearing an “S” drawn on his shirt.
The boy wasn’t in flight or in action — he’s simply standing still, looking ahead, as if dreaming of something more.
It’s a familiar scene, grounded on everyday life, but one that speaks of hope on quiet strength.
The message is clear: There’s still an ember of hope amid adversities.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., an artisan himself, can’t help but be awed by Abonado’s amazing creation.
The play of hues, the employment of subjects, the imagination of background, and the overall impact were all superb, packed into what the mayor described as an awesome art piece.
“It’s beyond painting. It’s a reflection of Filipinos’ resiliency in silence – to stand still, no matter what happens,” Escalante said.
“That boy ‘Superman’ is a vivid representation of an ordinary and innocent human being still imagining the best amid the messy world right now in just a silent mode,” Escalante added as he also recalled how he really institutionalized the painting competition in Cadiz five years ago.
The tilt, boring to some, is noblest for the mayor, whose primary goal is to discover Negros artisans, and give them the avenue and vehicle to lead and shine.
Cadiz’s artists were among the vulnerables at the height of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and beyond.
Instead of casting pity on them, Escalante launched a painting competition that could enliven their spirit and creativity.
By then, local artists have had started crafting pieces with sense, and relevance to the present time and challenges.
Hence, the mayor succeeded.
And seeing the winning piece of Abonado made him reminisce the humble beginnings of Cadiz’s painting competition, now held twice a year – during the Dinagsa Festival in January and the Charter Celebration every July.
“Quite a rendezvous of ideas and shared vision – to make Cadiz an ‘Art Capital’ of Negros, and let every Negrense artist shine beyond borders,” Escalante said.
And for the mayor, his dreams for his fellow artists are now gradually becoming a reality beyond tweak.
Meanwhile, other winners of the painting competition included Nestor Angelo Dequiña of Sagay City (2nd place), Anchie Canieso of Pontevedra (3rd), Giljohn Quiamco of Bago City (4th) and Jonafer Chavez of Cadiz City (5th).
Dequiña, Canieso, Quiamco, and Chavez went home with P60,000, P40,000, P30,000, and P20,000 in cash prizes, respectively.
Judges in the prestigious event in line with Cadiz’s 58th Charter Anniversary, from June 27 to July 7, included Atty. Bruce Ragas, concurrent director of the Commission on Population and Development in Region 7 and Negros Island Region; Jzy Tilos, founder of Tagatig Tigbauan Artist Hub in Tigbauan, Iloilo; Ron Lopez David, an acclaimed visual artist, who made a solo exhibit at the University of Sto. Tomas in 2023; and Dr. Aladin Antiquen̈o, a recepient of an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Fine Arts from St. James Academy in Pennsylvania, USA.*
