The 2026 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) Grand Awardees are turning personal experiences, social observations, and questions about the world into works that invite audiences to look at familiar realities from new perspectives.

This year’s competition received more than 600 submissions from artists across the Philippines, reflecting the diversity and creativity of the country’s contemporary art community. Under the theme “TRAVERSE: Creativity in Motion,” the winning works explore ideas of human connection, perseverance, power, identity, and the complexities of everyday life.

Three Artists, Three Distinct Perspectives

Vince Martin A. Macatangay, Grand Awardee for Oil or Acrylic on Canvas, received recognition for “Sonder: Sa Bawat Mundong ’Di Ko Matahak (Sonder: In Worlds Beyond My Reach).” Inspired by the idea of sonder—the realization that every person has a life as complex and vivid as one’s own—the painting brings together multiple figures and movements to represent countless lives unfolding simultaneously.

For Mixed Media, Kennette A. Luague won the Grand Award for “Taya (Bet),” a work inspired by Filipino workers who make sacrifices and take risks for their families and futures. Using materials such as wood and billiard cloth, Luague depicts a person navigating a chaotic system while continuing to move forward, framing courage and hope as forms of resilience.

Meanwhile, Aldrin B. Olaguir, Grand Awardee for Sculpture, presented “Hinahalal, Binabanal (The Chosen, the Sanctified).” The work transforms the familiar form of a holy water font by replacing its expected contents with a hardened formation and placing a crocodile figure behind it. Through this altered religious symbol, Olaguir examines how choices and ideas can become normalized, justified, or even treated as sacred.

Celebrating Philippine Artistic Expression

Each grand awardee received ₱500,000 worth of prizes, consisting of ₱350,000 in cash and a ₱150,000 scholarship to the Eskinita Art Residency Program in 2027, along with the “More” trophy sculpted in copper by artist and 2007 MADE awardee Juan Sajid.

Four artists also received Special Citations, each receiving ₱100,000 and the More trophy.

The 2026 MADE winners were selected by a panel of artists, curators, writers, and creative industry leaders chaired by sculptor Reginald Yuson.

The winning works and nearly 100 semifinalist artworks are currently featured in the 2026 MADE exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M). The exhibition is open to the public for free until October 18, offering audiences an opportunity to experience a wide range of contemporary Filipino artistic perspectives.

Free guided tours may also be arranged through The M’s website.