A Filipino student is making waves on the international stage after winning a Gold Award at the 7th International Loving-Peace Art Competition. The competition is a global event that drew 15,932 artworks from 40 countries.
Prince R.M.B. Ikan of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo–Bailen Integrated School received the award for an artwork featuring a dove and people of different races holding hands.
Photo: IWPG
The student shared that he used simple visuals and soft colors to convey a clear message: that everyone can practice choosing peace.
“Let’s all become messengers of peace,” he said.
Filipino creativity was also well represented through several other recognitions. Althea Cleona Q. Dela Rea of Limay Community School earned a Silver Award (Division 1), while Anica Jeine Hiso of Kapalong National High School and Zaijan V. Sumbong of St. Francis National High School both received Bronze Awards (Division 3). Honorable Mentions were given to Rafael Joseph Solis (University of Batangas), Prince Marlloyd Sualog (Limay Senior High School), and Frances Cyrus Guzman (Limay Senior High School).
This year’s grand prize went to Tasfiha Tahsin of Bangladesh for The Cry for Peace, an artwork portraying a child praying amid war.
Organized by the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), the annual contest aims to help children and youth explore the meaning of peace through art.
According to head judge Soon-kyu Hwang, teaching peace to young people is essential because they “will grow up to be the changemakers who contribute to global peace.” IWPG Chairwoman Na Yeong Jeon added that children who learn peace early become “steadfast seeds” capable of inspiring others.
With the theme “How can we practice peace and make it a reality in our daily lives?”, this year’s competition invited young artists worldwide to translate their hopes into visual stories. And with this historic gold win, Filipino youth continue to show how art can carry powerful messages that resonate far beyond their communities.
IWPG is a global peace organization registered with the UN ECOSOC and DGC, working with 115 branches in 122 countries and over 800 partner groups. The organization focuses on peace education, leadership, and advocacy initiatives, including support for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).
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