Giving honor to its more than four decades of advancing Philippine visual arts and championing Filipino artists.
Last October 22, the inaugural Ang MUSEO Awards was held at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila.
During which, the 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).
The said award recognized its more than four decades of championing Filipino artists and advancing Philippine visual arts.
The award came as the MFPI marked its 40th anniversary and celebrates its sustained cultural stewardship through its flagship Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) program.
Metrobank founder and art patron Dr. George S.K. Ty established MADE (then called the Metrobank National Painting Competition) in 1984 to recognize 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.
Ang MUSEO Awards Chair Ma. Belen Fernando said: “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.”
Meanwhile, 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.”
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.
For his part, 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.
2025 MADE Grand Awardee for Oil/Acrylic on Canvas, Jack de Castro, likewise emphasized how a supportive community can help artists persevere.
As for 2026 MADE Grand Awardee for Sculpture Aldrin Olaguir, the competition provided an opportunity to bring his work into broader public conversation.
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,” the artist shared.
