2025 theme “ALAB” invites student artists to express their inner creative spark

Manila, Philippines. June 3, 2025 – Shell Pilipinas Corporation officially opens the call for entries to the 58th Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC), inviting college students nationwide to showcase their creativity under this year’s theme: “ALAB”. Beginning June 6, young Filipino artists are encouraged to submit works expressing their convictions, cultural reflections, and emotional truths that fuel their creative fire.

Now in its 58th year, the Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC) continues its legacy as one of the most prestigious and longest-running student art competitions in the country. Over the decades, it has served as a launchpad for many Filipino artists, such as National Artists like Jose Joya, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Ang Kiukok, and Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera, and some of today’s most respected names, such as Leeroy New and Ronald Ventura. The competition remains an inclusive platform where young artists can be seen, supported, and celebrated, regardless of their background or location.

For 2025, the competition carries the theme “ALAB,” inviting students to reflect on the spark that fuels their creativity. It challenges participants to explore their purpose, passion, and identity through their work, encouraging honest, powerful expression rooted in their personal or cultural truths.

The competition is open to all currently enrolled college students in the Philippines. Participants must be taking at least nine academic units in the academic year (AY) 2024–2026, or be graduates from AY 2024–2025 who were enrolled at the time of creating their artwork. Students may submit entries in any of the five categories: Oil/Acrylic Painting, Watercolor, Sculpture, Digital Fine Arts, and Photography. Each participant may enter a maximum of two works per category, with each submission registered individually.

Cash prizes, limited-edition Shell NSAC merchandise, plaque of recognition, and an opportunity to be featured in Shell’s national exhibitions and publications will be awarded to the Top 3 winners per category. In addition, the schools of first-place winners will receive a faculty development grant to further support the arts within their institutions.

All entries must be submitted via the official Shell NSAC platform from June 6 until October 6, 2025. The final judging period is scheduled for November 11-12, and winners will be announced on December 5, 2025, during the culminating awards and exhibit event.

This year’s competition is made possible through the support of sponsors Boysen Philippines, IFEX, and Airspeed, and in collaboration with the following esteemed partners: Aquino Center and Museum, Artist Welfare Inc., Orange Project, Gravity Art Space, Cebu City Museum, Clark Museum and 4D Theater, GK Gallery Tagaytay, GK Gallery Cadiz, Galerie Joaquin, Thombayan Art Space, Arts Geek Manila, and Ayala Museum.

Interested participants are encouraged to read the full competition mechanics and register via the official website at www.shell.com.ph/nsac. For further inquiries, they may contact the NSAC Secretariat at [email protected]