A self-taught artist won first place at the National Sculpture Competition led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cavite City Government on Monday, Sept. 25.
The winning piece titled “We The Fire” was sculpted by Patrick M. Agluba, commonly known through his artist name, Miranda Patrick.
According to Agluba, it was inspired by the bible verse 1 Peter, which states, 'Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire.’
“Ginawan ko po ng sariling kong story na related po sa verse na [...] tayo ay parang apoy na kumalat sa lupa na may dalang pagkasira ngunit tayo din naman ay maaaring pagmulan ng liwanag o pag-asa,” Agluba said in an interview with DZRH on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
He added that the artwork was also related to every problem an individual faces, “[Sa] hindi sinasadyang pagkakataon, tayo po ay nauupos at napapagod. Ngunit hanggat tayo ay may baga, maaaring mag-alab muli ang [ating] puso na bumangong muli.”
Humble beginning
Agluba shared that he began sculpting as a hobby five years ago.
“Nag-try po ako mag-sculpt [noong] 2018 [as a] hobby lang dahil gusto ko magkaroon ng action figure na hindi ko mabili kaya sinubukan ko pong mag-aral,” he said.
The 27-year-old sculptor, however, conceded that he did not focus on sculpting since he was preoccupied with work. But during the height of the pandemic, Agluba spent his free time binge-watching online tutorials.
“Dahil nasa bahay lang, mas marami po akong time para makapag-aral. Nagtanong [ako] sa mga ibang sculptors about materials at nanood ng mga online tutorials,” he said.
Facing challenges
Prior to the sculpting competition, Agluba noted his challenge: planning to woo the judges into inspiring them with his artwork. But he also expressed his worries over the piece’s process since the epoxy clay and resin materials proved to be a daunting medium.
“Ang pangunahin challenge lang po siguro yung medium mismo mahirap siyang gamitin. Kailangan siyang bantayan para hindi mawala sa porma,” the sculptor said.
Agluba recognized that challenges were part of an artist’s journey, but perseverance comes a long way. Since 2021, Agluba has been joining exhibits using his own concepts.
“Tiwala lang sa sariling gawa at maging masaya sa kung anung kaya nating gawin sa ngayon. Pero [dapat] laging bukas sa mga bagong posibilidad ng pagkatuto at hindi mawalan ng pag-asa,” he said.
