ADB fetes RP street children

Ten Filipino street children have been given a $500-art scholarships from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as winners of an art competition for Filipino street children with the theme "If I Had the Chance…"

The Manila art competition, held last June, was the last of seven contests held in the Asia Pacific region this year. The others were in Dhaka, Jakarta, Kathmandu, Phnom Penh, Port Moresby, and Ulaanbaatar. Over 1,000 children, 70 non-government organizations (NGOs) and 500 volunteers participated.

The region-wide art competition supports ADB’s goal of poverty reduction by highlighting the potential, as well as the plight, of poor children.

The 10 awardees in the Philippines are Lucia Trinidad (Kanlungan sa ER-MA); Jerome Mentigar (Senden Home), Reychele Buenavidez, Ma. Christine Rachel Soliva and Sandro Samson (Sun for All Children); Jellyn Vertudez (Tahanan Outreach Project & Services); Rigor Magante, Jonathan Garma, and Christopher Pante (Tulay ng Kabataan); and Melvin Pascua (Virlanie Foundation, Inc.)

The awards were presented by ADB officials led by Philippine country director Thomas Crouch, alternate executive director Cayetano Paderanga Jr. and Office of External Relations principal director Robert Salamon.

The 150 participating "street artists," between the ages of five and 16 registered through 12 local NGOs. A panel of judges selected the winning drawings based on theme, originality, and artistic ability. The children also voted for their favorite drawings.