Artworks from Filipino high school and college students, interpreting the theme “Filipino values for the common good,” capped the year and the celebration of Filipino Values Month last November with vibrant colors. 

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts held the Heneral Tuna Digital Poster Making Contest to cap its Filipino Values Month celebration, featuring the character Heneral Tuna, the witty, fierce and blue alien cat from NCCA’s animated and book series.

That year’s competition is a little different from the previous one, which featured traditional and digital artworks, but it nevertheless became a vibrant showcase of talent and creativity among young Filipinos. The contest was held from 12 to 27 November 2023 and attracted 220 entries from young Earthlings representing 56 cities and provinces throughout the country.   

Young Boholano artist Anna Rina Oncog won first place with her interpretation of Filipino values as demonstrated in different sectors of society. Oncog wove Heneral Tuna into the different elements of Filipino culture such as the jeepney and pagmamano while highlighting the aspirations of being maka-diyos, makatao, maka-bayan and maka-kalikasan (godly, humane, patriotic and environmental).

Second place winner was Lorenzo Angelo Maranan of Baguio City, whose monochromatic color scheme complemented by golden figures underlined the realistic depiction of Heneral Tuna and the Earthlings of Barangay Hiraya. In selecting the Filipino values to portray in his poster, Maranan drew inspiration from the animated series, where each of the seven episodes show how values can be woven into a community’s fabric.

Grabbing third place was Khem Mary Abalos of Antipolo City, Rizal, who portrayed Heneral Tuna as a full-fledged member of Barangay Hiraya. In this digital poster, Heneral Tuna lives out the traditions and values he has learned and finds himself immersed in the day-to-day lives of his neighbors.

Oncog received a cash prize of P10,000 while Maranan and Abalos received P7,500 and P5,000, respectively. The winners also received certificates and special tokens from NCCA.

With the wealth of talent shown by the number of entries received, it was a tough job for the NCCA and its panel of judges to choose just three winners. Five were chosen for the honorable mention roster—Ildie Esteban of Manila, Daryelle Uy of Marikina City, John Lester Fines, Amos Ulang and Maria Amor Barcenas.

The contest was one of the several activities included in the NCCA’s celebration of Filipino Values Month, held every November to promote the adoption of Filipino values in our daily lives. Other events included the launching of the Heneral Tuna children’s book series, published by the NCCA and Aklat Alamid, and the forging of a new partnership with the Knowledge Channel to air the Heneral Tuna episodes.