Inquirer artists shine in biotech week cartoon tilt

MANILA, Philippines—Two Inquirer artists made their mark in a nationwide contest for cartoonists in celebration of 7th National Biotechnology Week.

Stephanie Bravo-Semilla won second place in the professionals category of the “BiotechTOONS” contest, which had artists interpreting the theme “The Benefits and Potentials of Crop Biotechnology.”

Another Inquirer artist, Albert Rodriguez, was among the finalists.

The awards were handed out to the winners during the closing ceremonies for National Biotechnology Week held at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office on Saturday.

Semilla received a P30,000 cash prize.

The BiotechTOONS contest was organized by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduated Study and Research in Agriculture–Biotechnology Information Center, in collaboration with Philippine International Cartoons, Comics and Animation Inc.

The top prize went to Norman Isaac of Manila Bulletin who received P50,000. In third place was Euologio Gibas of Catalytx Advertising who got P20,000.

Biotechnology refers to the use of living organisms for various purposes.

Biotechnology week was meant to create public awareness and educate people about biotechnology and its various applications, as well as the usefulness of its products.

The DENR was among the agencies that led the biotechnology week celebration, along with the departments of Health, Agriculture, Education, Interior and Local Government, Science and Technology, and Trade and Industry, and the Commission on Higher Education.