BACOLOD CITY: The art scene in Negros Occidental gets a big boost with the return of major art patron Victorias Milling Company Inc. (VMC) sponsoring an art exhibit dubbed “Panumbalik” at The Negros Museum in Bacolod City.

“Arts and culture have always been central to our corporate social responsibility programs, and through the years, we would like to believe that we have played a major role in the discovery and nurture of new artistic talents in Negros,” said Minnie Chua, VMC president and chief executive officer.

“We truly want to be part of the children’s journey in honing their talent and skills to achieve their full potential,” Chua added, lauding the artists’ effort to continue with their passion in the middle of the pandemic.

“We in VMC are now ready to revive our program that promotes artistic and cultural development of the youth through our annual art contest and the summer art workshops which have done more than any organization to ensure that the arts continue to thrive in Negros,” said Anne Tiongco, VMC Foundation executive director and VMC corporate communications director.

Since 2013, VMC has been at the forefront of developing talents in the field of visual arts in Negros.

VMC’s belief that talent should be nurtured early is what inspired the interschool art competition that started in Victorias City and expanded to the entire Negros Island as it generated more interest among the youth and the arts community in general.

This affinity with the arts is no stranger to VMC which houses the St. Joseph the Worker Chapel and the breathtaking mural, “The Last Judgment,” popularly known as the “Angry Christ,” painted by Alfonso Ossorio.

As it grew bigger, VMC collaborated with renowned local artists to mentor their winners in the competition through 3-day summer art workshops that eventually led to some of them joining national and international art tilts and getting recognized for their skills and talent at such a young age.

The program came to a halt because of the pandemic and after two years, VMC brought back its art program through the Panumbalik art exhibit which showcases artworks done by their past winners while under the pandemic.

Featured artists are Yul Gabriel Dionson, Hans Benedict Espina, Ben Johnson Gohing, Kennette Luague, Einstein Schwartz Gaspar Maulad, Philip Aldrin Nalang, Dennis Occeña, Therese Ortaliz, Andrea Parrocho, Rolando Salimbaga Jr. and Arliyah Tatoy. The art exhibit will run from Nov. 26 to Dec. 24, 2022.