Justiniano Aquino Cruz is best known for being the "Maestro" or teacher of national hero Jose Rizal during the latter's stay in Biñan City when he was nine years old.
THE Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office (BCHATO) recently launched the "Ang Paghahanap kay Maestro" drawing contest, which seeks to "interpret" the image of Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz.
The contest was launched to coincide with the celebration of World Teachers' Day last October 5.
A native of Biñan City, Justiniano Aquino Cruz is best known for being the "Maestro" or teacher of national hero Jose Rizal during the latter's stay in Biñan City when he was nine years old.
Cruz, seeing the young Rizal's potential, advised him to continue his studies in Manila - a move that will shape the future hero's mindset and open his eyes to the reality of being an "Indio" in 19th-century Spanish-era Philippines.
"Dahilan sa walang naiwang larawan ang dakilang guro ng batang si Rizal sa Biñan na si Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz, bubuuin natin ang imahe ni Maestro base sa mga paglalarawan mismo ni Rizal," BCHATO said in its Facebook page.
The contest is open to all artists inside and outside of Biñan City. The artists must use Rizal's description of Cruz as written down in his "Memorias de Un Estudiante de Manila" as their guide for visualizing him.
Participants must send two drawings - full body and half body - in a brown envelope with their valid ID and contact details to: Rizal in 150 Secretariat, Sentrong Pangkultura ng Biñan, Plaza Rizal, Poblacion, Biñan City.
Deadline of submission of entries is on October 31, with cash prizes at stake. Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
(a) Interpretation and the clarity of the artwork to the viewer;
(b) Creativity and originality of the depicted theme;
(c) Quality of artistic composition and overall design based on the theme; and
(d) Overall impression of the artwork.
For more details, participants may visit the BCHATO's social media page or contact Dei Hernandez at 09293796351.
Tags: #OpinYonLaguna, #BinanCity, #JoseRizal, #JustinianoAquinoCruz, #drawingcontest