The Philippine Embassy in Madrid, Spain recently commemorated the 113th anniversary of the Philippine Independence and the 9th Dia de Amistad Hispano-Filipina (Philippines-Spain Friendship Day) with a special event that featured 12 paintings by young artists from the Philippines.

The featured paintings were the winning entries in the calendar category of the 42nd and 43rd Shell National Students Art Competition. The exhibit for the embassy was done in cooperation with the Outlooke Pointe Foundation (OPF) and through the generous support of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation and Air 21.

The paintings were featured during a grand cocktail party hosted by Philippine Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas and his wife Ms. Isabelita Tanseco-Salinas. Senator Edgardo J. Angara, representing the Philippine Government was Guest of Honor. Around 400 guests composed of members of the diplomatic community, Spanish business leaders, and heads of NGO’s involved in Philippine initiatives were wowed by the winning art pieces.

The event was held last June 14, 2011 at the Salon Granados of the Hotel InterContinental Madrid. The project is part of the program of The Outlooke Pointe Foundation (OPF) to help promote Philippine art and culture. The support of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation and Air 21 were critical to the success of the Spain event.