On May 6, Red Bull Doodle Art crowned the Philippine representative to the National Finals at Kapwa Studio, Makati City. The event was attended by a number of artists and students who came to see a showcase that featured 133 entries from different universities across the country.

The Red Bull Doodle Art is a highly innovative global contest that brings together more than 50 thousand students from over 1000 universities in more than 40 countries who showcase their own doodle art. The third global edition of Red Bull Doodle Art will have an exciting finale: a 3D virtual reality experience. 

Contestants uploaded their work to the Red Bull Doodle Art website where the top 20 entries were selected through public voting. These pieces were then judged by former Red Bull Doodle Art contestant, Manuel “Meow Meow” Liwanag and Details Ink owner Kara Pangilinan, who selected the top three through a combination of Creativity, Overall Style, and Aggregated Facebook Likes. 

The winners were announced at the Philippine Finals in Kapwa Studio—1st Place: Rojan Elmo Barcelon (University of the Philippines Diliman); 2nd Place: Gabriel Villacarlos (University of San Carlos); 3rd Place: Michelle Robledo (University of the Philippines Manila)

“It was a long process. If you look at the entries they are really good in different ways, so it was hard to pick whose the best piece was” Pangilinan said. 

“The winning entry had a great meaning and a great style that’s unique to Rojan Barcelon,” added Liwanag.

Barcelon advances to the Doodle Art Global Finals through his winning piece, Maynila King. He doodled the piece in between working on his thesis. “I want to show people that the lower class Filipinos can rise up and become the Kings of Manila!” he exclaimed.

Cebu-based student Villacarlos sought inspiration in traffic. With barely 24 hours spent in Manila, the victory came as an unlikely surprise to the fine arts student who had made the top 20 the week before. “I am humbled and so blessed. I didn’t expect to win this!” he said.

Third placer Robledo, a student of dentistry at the University of the Philippines-Manila, earned her spot in the top 20 through two different entries. She said, “It is my first time to join a competition and Doodle really helped me feel more confident about my art.” 

The Global Finals for Red Bull Doodle Art will take place later this year at an undisclosed location. Stay tuned to www.redbulldoodleart.com for updates.