‘Superman’ Wins Cadiz City Painting Contest

At first glance, a painting of a young boy in a red cape, black mask and slippers seemed ordinary amid a sea of colorful entries.

But the piece, portraying an innocent-looking boy quietly standing as a symbolic “Superman,” captured the judges’ attention and won the PHP100,000 grand prize in Cadiz City’s province-wide painting competition, held July 2 at the Cadiz Arena.

The artwork was created by Talisay City native Zanzibar Abanado.

Abanado imagined and then painted a child with an “S” drawn on his shirt, not flying or in action—but standing still, looking ahead, as if dreaming of something greater.

It’s a familiar scene, grounded in everyday life, yet one that speaks to quiet hope and inner strength.

The message is clear: even amid adversity, hope endures.

Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., himself an artist, was awed by Abanado’s creation.

He praised the work’s use of color, composition, background, and overall impact, calling it an “awesome art piece.”

“It’s beyond painting,” Escalante said.

“It’s a reflection of the Filipino’s silent resilience—to stand still no matter what happens.”

He added that the boy in the painting represents ordinary people quietly imagining a better future amid a messy world.

Escalante also reflected on the origins of the Cadiz painting competition, which he institutionalized five years ago.

The contest, once dismissed by some as unexciting, became a noble endeavor for the mayor, who aimed to discover and support artists from Negros.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Cadiz’s local artists were among the most vulnerable.

Rather than offering mere sympathy, Escalante launched a painting competition to revive their creativity and spirit.

Since then, local artists have been producing works that reflect the times and their challenges.

For Escalante, Abanado’s winning piece was a powerful reminder of the competition’s humble beginnings.

Now held twice a year—during the Dinagsa Festival in January and the Charter Celebration in July—the contest has become a platform for emerging artists across the province.

“It’s a convergence of ideas and a shared vision to make Cadiz the ‘Art Capital’ of Negros, allowing every Negrense artist to shine beyond borders,” Escalante said.

For the mayor, his dream for fellow artists is now slowly becoming a reality.

Other winners in this July’s Cadiz painting competition were:

• Nestor Angelo Dequiña of Sagay City (2nd place)
• Anchie Canieso of Pontevedra (3rd place)
• Giljohn Quiamco of Bago City (4th place)
• Jonafer Chavez of Cadiz City (5th place)

Dequiña, Canieso, Quiamco and Chavez received PHP60,000, PHP40,000, PHP30,000 and PHP20,000 in cash prizes, respectively.

Judges for this prestigious event, part of Cadiz’s 58th Charter Anniversary from June 27 to July 7, included:

• Bruce Ragas, regional director of the Commission on Population and Development in Region 7 and the Negros Island Region
• Jzy Tilos, founder of Tagatig Tigbauan Artist Hub in Tigbauan, Iloilo
• Ron Lopez David, acclaimed visual artist who held a solo exhibit at the University of Santo Tomas in 2023
• Aladin Antiqueño, recipient of an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from St. James Academy in Pennsylvania, USA