(Listen to UP Baguio Chancellor Abansi's Message)

The past academic year was the first that our students experienced full remote education. It has truly been a year full of challenges. Despite the limitations faced by our students and other members of our community, they managed to push through with their tasks, to the best of their abilities.

This year’s nominees and recipient of the Darnay Demetillo Artist Award attest to this commitment to excellence. On its ninth year, the Award, in honor of the late UP Baguio Fine Arts Professor Darnay Demetillo, recognizes the originality, creative integrity and dedication to their craft of exemplary UPB Fine Arts students. Amidst the current crisis, their artworks serve as reminders that these virtues can thrive and yield creative outputs that inspire.

We congratulate this year’s nominees and the awardee. May they continue to flourish in their emerging art practice and encourage their fellow young artists to pursue the path of excellence.

We continue to thank the Demetillo family and Ms. Gloria Orden for their unwavering support for our students. We also thank the Fine Arts faculty for patiently mentoring our young artists.

As we draw Academic Year 2020-2021 to a close, may this event give us renewed hope and confidence in our capabilities as we face another school year.

Thank you.

Prof. Corazon Lumbera-Abansi, PhD

Chancellor, University of the Philippines Baguio

July 2021