Metrobank Foundation Honored for Over Four Decades of Nurturing Filipino Artistic Excellence
Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) received the distinction of Institusyong Tagapagtaguyod ng Kultura at Sining (Institution-Champion of Culture and Arts) from the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (MFPI) at the inaugural Ang MUSEO Awards, recognizing its more than four decades of championing Filipino artists and advancing Philippine visual arts.
Conferred on October 22, 2026 at the National Museum of Natural History as MFPI marked its 40th anniversary, the recognition celebrates MBFI’s sustained cultural stewardship through its flagship Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) program.
“This recognition is our heartfelt appreciation for the decades of passionate work that Metrobank Foundation, Inc. has done for Philippine visual arts, and most importantly, to the Filipino artists who give life and meaning to our cultural identity”, said Ang MUSEO Awards Chair Ma. Belen Fernando.
Metrobank founder and art patron Dr. George S.K. Ty established MADE (then called the Metrobank National Painting Competition) in 1984, recognizing the power of visual art to provide young Filipinos with a platform to express themselves and share their perspectives in the midst of socio-economic realities. Since then, the competition has grown beyond recognizing artistic excellence to broadening public access to art and creating opportunities for Filipino artists to pursue their craft and build meaningful, sustainable careers.
Advancing Artistic Careers
One way MADE supports artists beyond recognition is by helping them bring their work to wider audiences. In the recent years of the competition, MADE Grand Awardees receive support for artistic development and their solo exhibition, through MBFI’s partnership with Eskinita Art Farm.
For 2007 MADE Grand Awardee for Oil/Acrylic on Canvas Mark Andy Garcia, this support made a tangible difference early in his career. Garcia, who also served on the 2026 MADE Board of Judges, recalled how the Foundation helped him mount his first solo exhibition. “During my first solo exhibit, nakatulong talaga ang Metrobank Foundation sa amin noon. Nandoon ang support nila para sa aming solo exhibit, one-man show, (Metrobank Foundation was really a big help to us back then. They provided support for our solo exhibit.)” Garcia shared.
Expanding Artist Community
An artist’s growth is shaped not only by opportunities to showcase their work, but also by the people they meet and learn from along the way. Through MADE, artists become part of a community where they can exchange ideas, seek guidance from peers across generations, and find encouragement as they navigate the challenges of their practice.
2025 MADE Grand Awardee for Mixed Media, Jao Pelaez, shared that joining MADE opened opportunities to build relationships that continued to enrich his artistic journey. “After MADE, lumaki yung art community na nasamahan ko. Dumami yung kaibigan kong artists (After MADE, I became part of a larger art community and made more artist friends),” he shared. Connecting with both younger and more experienced artists gave him opportunities to learn from their perspectives and experiences.
2025 MADE Grand Awardee for Oil/Acrylic on Canvas, Jack de Castro, likewise emphasized how a supportive community can help artists persevere. Having people who understand their struggles, offer guidance, and share their experiences reminds artists that they are not alone in pursuing their craft. These relationships can provide both practical help and inspiration to keep going.
De Castro added that the combination of cash prizes and residency opportunities is particularly valuable to them. Financial support helps cover everyday needs, while a residency provides dedicated time and space to focus on creating and improving their craft. Together, these forms of support recognize that sustaining an artistic practice requires not only talent and opportunity, but also a community and resources that enable artists to keep growing.
Elevating Public Conversations
MADE also creates opportunities for their work to reach wider audiences and spark conversations beyond the art community.
For 2026 MADE Grand Awardee for Sculpture Aldrin Olaguir, the competition provided an opportunity to bring his work into broader public conversation.
“MADE offered my work a chance to move beyond me, allowing people to bring their own experiences and interpretations into the piece,” Olaguir shared in his interview with Kanto PH. “For me, MADE wasn’t simply a competition or another exhibition opportunity. It became a place where I could test whether this idea could become part of a larger conversation about where we are as a society right now,” he added.
Responding to Artist Needs
Listening to artists and understanding their needs are essential to ensuring that MADE’s support remains relevant and meaningful as they pursue their craft and build sustainable careers.
Visual artist, sculptor, and chair of the 2026 MADE Board of Judges Reg Yuson commended the Foundation’s continued support for Filipino artists. “The fact that the Metrobank Foundation consistently consults artists on how to improve its program says a lot about its commitment to the arts.”
This commitment to listening and responding to artists’ needs is central to the Foundation’s efforts to strengthen its contributions to the Philippine arts community. As Metrobank Foundation President Philip Francisco Dy shared, “This recognition strengthens our commitment to working with institutions such as the Museum Foundation of the Philippines to help foster a collaborative arts ecosystem where artists can build sustainable careers and Philippine art can thrive.”
For more than four decades, MADE has demonstrated that investing in artists is also an investment in the country’s cultural future. By nurturing talent, creating opportunities, and strengthening the creative community, the Foundation helps ensure that Filipino artists continue to inspire dialogue, preserve cultural identity, and shape the nation’s evolving story.