MANILA, Philippines - It can be said that once an artist wins the Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence (MADE) Awards, he or she basically, pardon the pun, has it made.

With a cash prize of over P100,000, not to mention the public recognition and support of Metrobank, this is any new artist?s dream come true.

And getting one step closer to their dreams are over 100 artists from all over the country, whittled down from an original number of 305, who have been named semifinalists for this year?s awards.

Semifinalists in water media on paper are Darby Vincent Alcoseba, Janeil Arlegui, Gino Romney Bueza, Jean Christine Cadano, Martin Lorenzo de Mesa, Bjorn Hardy Lloyd Eding, Edneil Esber, Apple Natasha Espedido, Jonathan Jaleco, Arthur Lozano, Julius Lu, Edwin Martinez, Ada Grace Mier, Raffy Napay, Ceres Angeli Parlade, Jed Paulino, Glenn Perez, Manny Reyes, Warlen Rodriguez, Jonathan Salvatierra, Kristoffer Tolentino, Ronnie Tres Reyes and Rodolfo Vera Cruz Jr.

For the category in oil-based medium on canvas, semifinalists include Lory Joy Ablola, Cornelius Acasio, John Paul Antido, Chrisanto Aquino, Dennis Atienza, Leida Austria, Ryan Ayuste, Michael Macol, Marco Roldhan Bañares, Levi Marie Batara, Reynaldo Bautista, Francis Bejar, Malyn Bonayog, Sherwin Callejo, Emard Cañedo, Ariel Caratao, Isidore Vic Carloman III, Rommel Celespara, Sherwin Coronado, Jigger Cruz, Michael de Guzman, Joseph de Juras, Joey de la Cruz, Danilo de los Reyes Jr., Anna Lissa de los Santos, Peter Mark Diana, Victor Augustus Dumaguing, Patrick Esmao, Dexter Fernandez, Dandric Candari Flores, Billy James Francisco, Dion Edwin Francisco, Rizaldy Garra, Peter Edric Go, Mark Louie Gonzales, Rommel Gorospe, Gieward Hulagno, Ronald Jeresano, Ma. Frances Ysabel Jocson, Raymond Libiran, Gualberto Licong Jr., Kurt Lloyd Lluch, Johnson Lopez, Mar Lopez, Anthony Mallari, Ellis John Mandia, Joven Mansit, Rey Daniel Mariano, Nezzle Ann Mataac, Ramon Carlo Mendoza, Mark Anthony Morta, Arnel Natividad, Christian Padilla, José Victor Patalinghug, Christopher Paulmino, Lilibeth Penaflor, Brenda Marie Praico, Maria Jeromia Pujeda, Joel Quiñones, Rommel Ramota, Alexander Roxas, Rovi Jesher Salegumba, Jeffrey Salon, Arturo Sanchez Jr., Salvador Sierra, Chris John Sy, Katrina Ann Tan, Janelle Tang, Jesus Tejada, Resty Tica, Cyril Turao, Julmard Vicente, Christian Angelo Villaluz, Sherwin Villano, Kenichi Wani and James Zabala.

Semifinalists in sculpture are Julius Samson, Jucell Larawan, Jayro Alano, Clinton Aniversario, Don Reich de Dios, Glenn Cagandahan, Marvy Pueblo, Rinald Sotto, Glennd Pagaduan, Lolita Arboleda, Macrina Violeta Vicente, Breinier Medina, Paul Bryan Miranda, Adeodatus Sta. Juana, Elrine Vicaldo, Ross Arcilla, Byron Salarza, Anthony Panugao, Philipalban Laurent Grapin and Neil Jasper Artista.

?Every year, new artists are discovered through MADE,? said Fiona Ting, assistant program manager of Metrobank Foundation Inc. ?And Metrobank has always been supportive of its winners. So if they wish to hold one-man exhibits, Metrobank will help them.?

Semifinalists in architecture and interior design, the relatively new categories in MADE, will be announced later, Ting said.

As the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, Metrobank Foundation is engaged in various social development projects in the Philippines and other parts of Asia.

Grand-prize winners will be announced in September in Le Pavilion at Roxas Boulevard.

E-mail the author at dxmatilla@yahoo.com