Camacho, Mangubat top Pacifica Art Contest

Mount Carmel School’s 10-year-old Vidal Jose H. Camacho shows off his prize after winning first place in the 6-11 age division of the Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc. Art Contest. (Contributed Photo)

Two students got a surprise visit at their schools on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, from Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc. underwriter Samantha Sikayun, assistant underwriter Jian Joyner, and intern Greggy Pialuna after the two won first place in the 2016 Pacifica Art Contest.

Mount Carmel School’s 10-year-old Vidal Jose H. Camacho won first place in the 6-11 age division, and Marianas High School’s 16-year-old Cerijean F. Mangubat won first place in the 12-17 age division.

There were a total of 347 submissions: 211 entries for the 6-11 age division and 136 for the 12-17 age division.

“The amount of entries each year continues to climb. Competition remains high. But our objective to support the arts and to present our children an option to harness their artistic skills and to keep them from wandering off the wrong path is most essential,” said Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Inc. executive vice president Shirley Sablan. “I thank school administrators for encouraging their pupils to join and for their ongoing support.”

Camacho and Mangubat each received a $200 check and various art supplies.

Other winners ranked under the Top 5 list include (name, age, school):

Category 1: ages 6-11
• 2nd place – Sara Elizabeth Keaton, 10, Grace Christian Academy
• 3rd place – Christina Kim, 11, (school unknown)
• 4th place – Seiyul Hong, 10, Saipan International School
• 5th place – Jason Kim, 9, Seventh Day Adventist

Category 2: ages 12-17
• 2nd place – Joana Marie Manlapag Ridgo, 17, Saipan Southern High School
• 3rd place – No Eun So, 14, Saipan International School
• 4th place – Jessa Lyn P. Lizama, 14, Marianas High School
• 5th place – Maureen Faye Doculan, 17, Saipan International School

“Kudos to both Vidal Camacho and Cerijean Mangubat for a job well done. To all others, don’t be discouraged. Your pieces were just as valuable to our contest,” said Sablan.

This year’s judging panel included first lady Diann Torres, TanHoldings Logistics vice president Alex Sablan, Quinn Consulting, LLC owner Kanae Quinn, and The Warehouse LLC president Richard Cole.

“It was interesting to see how the kids see things,” said Cole.

“Nothing makes me happier than to see our children gain confidence in joining this type of contests. It is important that they feel free to willingly express their skills, artistic abilities and imaginations,” said Torres.

Students were asked to create and submit an original art piece from July 4, 2016, to Sept. 16, 2016, under the slogan “Rest assured, it’s Christmas.” Permitted mediums included water-based paint, oil-based paint, pastels, crayons and pencils. Maximum dimensions were 18 inches by 24 inches.

The artwork of the top five winners will be made available for viewing on Pacifica’s art contest webpage (www.pacificains.com/artcontest) and the company’s Facebook social media page (facebook.com/pacificainsuranceunderwriters).

Pacifica Insurance is located at the Joeten Center in Susupe. (PR)