By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

As part of its efforts to help alleviate the situation of its local artists, the Cadiz City government awarded winners of its 54th Charter Day Painting Competition at ceremonies at the Cadiz City Arena on Saturday, July 3.

Besting 65 other participants, Santiago Onatin emerged as the champion of the painting competition’s initial edition, taking home P30,000 cash prize.

Onatin is an employee of the Cadiz City Tourism Office and comes from a family of artists.

Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said that “if the government can invest in sports, we should also invest in our local artists to give them livelihood.”

The mayor said the competition will  give Cadiz City artists “a venue to improve their craft.”

“The competition is limited to 40 slots but because 60 wanted to join we accommodated all of them,” he said.

Escalante added, “Let us continue living through art amid these COVID-19 pandemic.”

Other winners were Giovanni Demasu-ay at second place, Zarek Onatin – 3rd place, Rusty Quiatchon – 4th place, and Renmar Baring – 5th place.

Escalante also said that with the overwhelming success of their painting competition, the city government plans to hold a province-wide and nationwide competition.

“We will get the help of sponsors, too,” he added./DGB, WDJ