By Pam Santos – Galera
John Nikko Pelaez, a 2016 graduate of BFA Major in Advertising Arts from the University of the East –College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design is representing the Philippines in the 2018 Vans Asia Custom Culture Competition.
Nikko is a multi-awarded young artist hailing from Malabon City who have won several competitions as a student and now as a starting artist. To name a few, he was recently named as the first Ultimate Champion in the Fringe Manila Art Battle Challenge and will be the first Filipino representative in the Art Battle abroad. Nikko was named UE Artist of the Year in 2015 and during his senior year in 2016, Nikko made history when he was named as back-to-back grand prize winner of Vision Petron Art Competition – Painting and T-shirt Design Category – a rare feat for any student artist.
This time, Nikko is again bringing another badge under his name and also for the country. His sneaker design is the Philippines’ entry in the 2018 Vans Asia Custom Culture Competition and is up against other artists across Asia. But before claiming the spot of being the Philippine representative, Nikko have to go through a rigorous process. He first joined the local version of the competition, wherein he was chosen as one of the best design for the month of June. The top three designs for the months of May, April and June were then pitted against one another for judging and online public voting. Then last August, Nikko was named as the winner and Philippine representative to the Asian leg of the competition. The on-the-spot painting competition of the sneaker design was set in Guangzhou, China last September 20 – 21, and Nikko was ready to give his all for the Philippines, until he was faced with a setback – he cannot make it to the venue due to passport related problem. He almost did not make it to competition, lucky for him, Vans Hong Kong, the overall sponsor for the Asian leg, gave him a chance and allowed him to work here in the Philippines on same dates and time frame of the contest happening in China. Last September 24, his work was sent to China and is now part of the roster of designs up for votes.
Now, Nikko needs our help. Part of the final score will be coming from online votes and online voting is until October 24, 2018. If you want to have a pair of Vans sneakers, proudly Filipino designed, you can vote for Nikko’s work everyday until the deadline. The winner will be announced on October 30 and the winning design will be reproduced by Vans Hong Kong and distributed all over Asia by 2019. To vote, all you have to do is go to https://hovasia.com/art/customculture and look for Nikko’s work. Let’s help our Warrior artist win this one for the Philippines!
