The artwork of Far Eastern University (FEU) students, which highlighted the themes of motherhood and cultural heritage, won first prize in the “Crafted with Love: Pottery and Painting Competition.”
“[Our} design draws inspiration from Chinese motifs and aesthetics, evident in the use of intricate patterns and the orange daylily. We made sure to highlight the orange daylily to reinforce the themes of maternal love, devotion, and appreciation,” said fine arts major Szartel Obaro.
Tamaraw artists included Airish Nicole Maine D. Trono, Mary Michaella N. Sarmiento, and Florent John M. De Fiesta, who impressed the judges with their concept, craftsmanship, and execution.
Trono described the front design as “Mother and Child” sharing a flower, representing love, care, and offering. The surrounding gold clouds signify nurturing protection, while the back design emphasizes the daylily to reinforce themes of motherhood and gratitude, said Trono.
Their winning piece incorporates intricate patterns, bold red and gold hues, and geometric motifs influenced by Lucky Chinatown’s Imperial Wing that was the venue of the awarding ceremony last May 10.
Reward for effort
Meanwhile, Lindsay Margarette B. Coronado, Lalaine Gabrielle Layco, and Adriana Jeu A. Reyes were recognized as consolation prize winners, further highlighting FEU’s strong presence in the competition.
“The five figures illustrate different aspects of motherhood: caring for a child, providing comfort and security, expressing affection, nurturing learning, and receiving love from a grown child. These scenes reflect the love, gratitude, and strength that define a mother’s journey,” said Layco. “The composition also emphasizes inclusivity and diversity in motherhood. Surrounding the figures are red leaves and symbolic flowers—red carnations, representing enduring love and passion, and chrysanthemums, symbolizing respect and devotion.”
Layco added that auspicious clouds in the background signify blessings shared between mothers and their children, further celebrating motherhood.
Both FEU teams were guided by their art competition instructor, Jaypee Samson, whose mentorship played a vital role in refining the students’ artistic direction and execution.
“Despite being formed only two days before the competition, [the winning piece] emerged as a dark horse entry. With limited preparation time, the team demonstrated strong coordination through both onsite and online collaboration, ultimately leading them to victory,” said Samson.