In honor of its 25th Anniversary and National Arts Month this February, Magna Prime Chemical Technologies, Inc., in partnership with the United Artists Society, proudly announced the winners of the Sinclair National Art Competition on February 26, 2026, at the Sinclair Pro Store. The nationwide initiative champions creativity and demonstrates how advanced paint technologies can transform contemporary art and design.
After months of evaluation, the winners emerged as exceptional expressions of Filipino talent and vision, bringing ideas to life with Sinclair Makaw Microcement, Lime Plaster, and Effect Paints. Their works show that when artistry meets innovation, surfaces become more than painted—they tell stories, evoke emotions, and create experiences.
Mr. Derrick A. Tan, President and CEO of Magna Prime Chemical Technologies, Inc., emphasized the company’s commitment:
“Through this competition, we provide Filipino artists a platform not only to showcase their creativity, but to explore how advanced decorative finishes can unite interior design, wall art, and architecture in one powerful medium,” he said. “This initiative celebrates the ingenuity and passion of Filipino artists, proving that local talent can shine globally. By integrating art and technology, we are opening opportunities for the decorative wall design industry to grow, while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the country’s thriving art communities, and inspiring a new generation of artists to imagine, innovate, and shape their communities.”
Serving as Head Judge, Maestro Eleazar Abraham “Abe” L. Orobia, a distinguished visual artist, educator, and cultural advocate, evaluated entries for creativity, technical mastery, and innovative material use. Renowned for his acclaimed solo exhibitions, Images of Our Nation (NCCA Gallery, 2021) and Unconquerable (Turn! Turn! Turn!) (Pinto Art Museum, 2023), Orobia has dedicated his career to mentoring young artists, leading workshops, and directing cultural projects across the Philippines. Under his guidance, the competition’s rigorous selection process highlighted the nation’s top artistic talent.
Two Categories: Canvas Obra and Wall Obra
The competition featured two categories highlighting the versatility of Sinclair’s decorative technologies: the Canvas Obra Category honored fine art tradition while pushing creative boundaries, transforming Makaw finishes into expressive, textured masterpieces on canvas, while the Wall Obra Category showcased large-scale architectural works, turning walls into immersive spaces where art and design seamlessly converge.
Winners of the Sinclair National Art Competition
The following artists stood out for their originality, craftsmanship, and vision, with each piece showcasing creativity and innovative use of Sinclair Makaw finishes.
Canvas Art Category
1st Place: John Paul Verdera Antido – The Tide is Coming In
He is a painter from Antipolo City, trained at the University of the Philippines Diliman, whose works explore social, cultural, and historical themes using oil and acrylic impasto techniques. He has exhibited in the Philippines, Laos, Singapore, and Denmark, and has received multiple national art awards, including the Art Petron Grand Prize. Antido credits Sinclair Makaw Paints for enabling vibrant, high-quality expression, recalling the early days when industrial paints were his only medium.
2nd Place: Bernis C. Aure – Fragments of Becoming
A contemporary visual artist from Binondo, Manila, now based in Dasmariñas, Cavite, whose surreal works explore symbolic imagery and emotional depth through textured acrylic and oil compositions. He incorporates Sinclair Makaw Lime Plaster to create layered, tactile surfaces that enhance his distinctive visual language. A Grand Prize winner at the 2024 Flower Power International Art Competition, Aure continues to exhibit and document his artistic journey online.
3rd Place: Jun Mananguit Martinez – Depths of Destruction
A Filipino visual artist from Muntinlupa City whose work spans traditional painting, digital illustration, and architectural rendering, blending realism with socially relevant themes. Originally an engineering student at Adamson University, he pursued fine arts at the University of the East and built a diverse creative career in stage design, animation, and graphic services, including work for the 1994 Miss Universe pageant. Today, he continues to expand his creative practice through traditional and contemporary mediums while leading his own graphic services company specializing in booth fabrication, printing, and stage design.
4th Place: Ace Eugenio Enriquez – Para sa Pamilya
He is a visual artist who transitioned from a two-decade engineering career to full-time sculptor and painter in 2023, bringing a methodical yet creative approach to his work. His art explores themes of growth, struggle, and the unseen moments that define personal and collective journeys. Through painting and sculpture, Enriquez invites reflection and dialogue grounded in real-life human experiences.
Top 10:
- Maribel L. Cortez – Sa Pakpak ng Kalayaan
- Flubert B. Neri – Muling Sisikat Ang Araw
- Evalyn B. Gareza – Sirena
- Michelle Flores Santos – Rosita
- Alexander Martinez Balmaceda – Color Me Softly
- Carlos Alferez Castro – Ang Mga Babae sa Likod ng Makulay na Billboard
- Michael Allan Chan Tan – Déjà vu
- Herbert Sausa Pinpiño – Maharlika Madonna Under the Moonlight
- Rafael Galang Montejo – Flood of Tears
- Dante Bon Verano – Don't Just Paint It, Put Your HeART Into It
Finalists:
- Antonio Cabe Pacuan Jr. – A Homage to Amorsolo's Dalagang Bukid: The Unfolding Story
- Renz Reuben Eden Divio – Natatagong Ganda
- Mark Jasper Catacutan Joseph – The Earth's Palette Mary
- Grace Alejandro Santos – Inside My Heart
- Ana Rhea Consebido-Adonis – Sa Isang Iglap na Pangarap
- Gregorio Abanador Badillo – Sa bibig ng kasakiman kung saan nasusunog ang KATARUNGAN
Wall Obra Category
1st Place: Regina Roxanne Rivero Caoili – Regenerative Teal
A licensed Interior Designer and visual artist from Baguio City whose work blends design principles with fine art, creating textured, conceptually layered pieces. She won 1st Place in the Sinclair National Art Competition, marking her first national recognition, and has exhibited across Luzon with upcoming international shows in France and Italy. Regina also experiments with Sinclair Makaw products to achieve luminous, stone-like surfaces while balancing her role as a mother of two.
2nd Place: Billy James Angeles Francisco – Midas Touch
He is a contemporary abstract painter from Valenzuela, known for his vibrant use of color and innovative techniques. His work explores identity, memory, and the subconscious, translating modern art elements into dynamic compositions. Exhibiting since 2008, Billy also works as a graphic designer, further enriching his creative practice.
3rd Place: Roger Dionaldo Morales – Forrest Firm
With decades of experience in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, he built a strong creative foundation in advertising agencies, producing billboard designs, neon signage, silk screen projects, and product artwork before serving as a professional artist and painter at Hamad Medical Corporation. He actively participated in exhibitions and live charcoal portrait performances, including a week-long art showcase in Doha in 2001 and collaborative exhibitions with the “Doha Qatar Pinta Filipino” group during cultural festivals and Philippine Embassy events. After an eight-year hiatus from painting, he rediscovered his artistic drive through Sinclair Makaw, appreciating its smooth texture, quick-drying quality, and durability, which reignited his inspiration to create again.
4th Place: Lindsey Pagtananan Ricablanca – Rustic Cosmos
A visual artist from Pagsanjan, Laguna, known for her abstract realism paintings exploring the interplay of surreal presence and abstraction. A BFA graduate in Advertising from the University of the East, she previously worked in animation and graphic arts before becoming a full-time visual artist. Ricablanca uses Sinclair Makaw Paints to experiment with textures, forms, and colors, enriching the depth and complexity of her work.
Top 10:
- Emmanuel Dimajutoc Emnace – The Lotus Leaves on White and Gold
- Iris Gem Li Napoles – Minotaur
- Lanzvoltaire Czarlemagne Abejuela Balagtas – Pagsilip ng Capiz
- Elmer Estraña – The Desert Dunes
- Michael Ocampo Villadolid – The Shape of a Quiet Thought
- Jaya Mae Uy Natividad – The Arc of Divine Feminine
- Jessica Lopez-Cantago – Latag ng Panahon
- Antonio Pacuan Jr. – The Duality of Perception
- Samuel Delaseras Bulaga – Floraliza Design
- Jay Oliver Dy – Takipsilim
Finalists:
- Miguelito Maaba — Echoes Beneath the Surface
- John Joyous Galario Soriano — The Butterfly Effect
- Blessie Vicencio Santos — Coffee Jelly Milktea
- Christian M. Carlos — CRATER LINES
- Lana Pagtalunan Baquing — Unseen Order
- Romano Pengson Lucena — In Between of Nothing
The Sinclair National Art Competition reaffirms the commitment of Sinclair The New Generation Paint to celebrate Filipino creativity and provide artists a platform where innovation meets artistry. Through initiatives like this, the company continues to elevate the country’s artistic landscape while inspiring future generations of visual storytellers.
About Sinclair The New Generation Paint
Sinclair integrates art, design, and advanced decorative paint technology to create aesthetic, durable, and innovative surfaces for residential and commercial environments. Through initiatives such as the Sinclair National Art Competition, the company continues to elevate Filipino creativity and inspire the next generation of visual storytellers.
Media Contact
Marvin Nisperos Estigoy
+63 918 909 0970
+63 917 861 6088
Email: mnestigoy@magnaprime.com.ph
marvinestigoy.business@gmail.com
Website: www.magnaprime.com.ph
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