CEBU CITY, Philippines— He was 10 years old when this Danao kid knew he wanted to color the world with his passion for art.
Leodito “Leo” Rosales Bongo III, 18, from Tanke dos, Taboc Camalig Bato, Danao City is the champion of the 7th World Youth Art Festival 2020 in South Korea.
The budding Danawanon artist bested more than 100 young artists from around the world with his medium-sized acrylic pieces.
“I decided to join because I want to develop my passion in arts and to learn new techniques from the other competitors,” he said.
Leo, who is not new in the competition scene, said that he made it this far at a young age because of his mentor, one of Cebu’s finest artists, Celso Pepito.
In his post on his Facebook account, Leo thanked his mentor by saying, “Salamat gyud kaayo Master Celso Pepito kay kung dili tungod tungod nimo, sir , wala ni, kay ikaw jud nagpaapil nako ani, sir.”
(Thank you Master Celso Pepito because if not for you, sir, I could not have this because you are the one who encouraged me to join this, sir.)
He submitted his pieces last August 2020 and received the good news just yesterday, March 14, 2021.
One of the most liked pieces of Leo was his piece on Lisa, from the South Korean girl group Black Pink.
With his recent win, Leo aims to do more art and be better in the coming days and wants this win to serve as an inspiration to all other young artists in Cebu to strive hard and follow their dreams.
Padayon sa paglambo, ka-Siloy, Leo!
(Continue with your progress, ka-Siloy, Leo!)
/dbs
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