BukSU graduate wins professional category in Bukidnon soil painting contest

An Umayamnon artist drew from childhood experiences at cornfields to win the first soil painting competition in Bukidnon on March 21, 2026, in Malaybalay City.

Phil Picau Salmasan, a 2012 graduate of BukSU with a Bachelor of Elementary Education major in Pre-school Education, topped the Professional Category, which included artists representing municipalities and cities across the province. He received the top prize of ₱100,000.

The “Hulagway sa Yuta: Soil Painting Competition” gathered both professional and amateur participants. It presented soil painting, an indigenous art form that uses natural soil and water to depict stories tied to Bukidnon’s heritage, including its seven tribes. The event was organized in partnership with the Bukidnon Local Artists Kulektib, Inc. (BuLAK).

Salmasan presented a 4-foot by 8-foot soil painting completed over a two-week period. He has worked with soil as a medium for two years.

His entry centers on corn, which he associated with his upbringing. He said he spent time in cornfields during harvests, where he received a portion of the yield. He described corn as the “body of the government,” referring to resources and products that sustain communities in Bukidnon. The artwork also includes references to the Seven Tribes of Bukidnon.

Salmasan began using acrylic, oil, and charcoal before attending a training session that introduced him to soil painting.

“At first, I thought it would be boring because the colors are limited,” Salmasan said in an interview with Juander Radyo Malaybalay 90.5 FM. “But once you understand the value of soil, its purpose and depth, you realize it can be used to create a masterpiece recognized by the whole world.”

He advised individuals engaged in creative and vocational work, including drawing, singing, and dancing, to continue practicing.

“Practice and enjoy the process. If you feel like giving up this week, come back next month. Your talent is created for a purpose and for a living. If you don’t use it, it will be lost,” he said. (Ms. Katrina Faith Melig/ Head, Alumni Relations Unit)