Newport City’s Aviation Legacy Takes Flight Through ASCEND

The art showcase gives students and residents a platform to tell the story of Villamor Air Base and its continuing place in the city’s identity.

Newport City is inviting artists, students, and longtime residents to bring history to life through ASCEND: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, a community art competition and exhibit running from July 1 to August 31, 2026. More than an art showcase, the initiative is a tribute to the rich heritage of Villamor Air Base and its remarkable transformation into the thriving urban destination now known as Newport City.

By blending history, creativity, and community, ASCEND encourages participants to explore the stories that have shaped one of Metro Manila’s most iconic districts—where aviation history meets modern city living.

Celebrating a Legacy That Continues to Soar

Long before it became a bustling lifestyle and business hub, the Villamor area played a vital role in the country’s aviation and military history. For generations, it stood as a symbol of flight, service, resilience, and community.

Today, Newport City continues to honor those roots by inviting the public to reinterpret its legacy through original works of art.

Through ASCEND, participants are encouraged to tell stories of heritage, transformation, identity, and progress—showing how Villamor Air Base evolved into a vibrant destination where culture, commerce, leisure, and community continue to flourish.

The exhibit aims to preserve these stories not only through historical records and landmarks but also through the creative perspectives of the people who have witnessed—and continue to shape—its journey.

Three Categories, One Shared Story

ASCEND features three competition categories that welcome artists from different sectors of the community.

Basic Education Category – Best Historical Artwork

Open to officially enrolled students of Villamor Air Base Elementary School and Pasay City South High School, this category encourages young artists to showcase the rich history, identity, and heritage of Villamor through creative visual storytelling.

Tertiary Education Category – Best Aviation-Inspired Artwork

Students from the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines may compete individually or in groups of up to three members.

Their works are expected to highlight aviation, aircraft, innovation, and the enduring legacy of Villamor as one of the country’s historic airbases.

Community Category – Cultural and Community Representation

Open to Barangay 183 residents aged 26 and above, this division celebrates personal memories, traditions, and lived experiences that reflect the area’s remarkable transformation through the years.

Authentic Art, Authentic Stories

To preserve the spirit of traditional craftsmanship, all entries must be original handmade artworks created using conventional media such as:

• Acrylic
• Watercolor
• Oil pastel
• Colored pencil
• Poster paint
• Mixed media

Each artwork must be presented on a 2 ft. x 2 ft. canvas, which will serve as the official exhibit format.

Digital illustrations and AI-generated artworks are strictly prohibited, reinforcing the competition’s commitment to originality, personal expression, and authentic storytelling.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated based on a balanced set of artistic and historical standards:

• Creativity and Originality – 40%
• Historical Accuracy – 30%
• Relevance to the Theme – 20%
• Community Voting – 10%

The competition seeks artworks that not only captivate visually but also preserve history and strengthen the community’s shared identity.

Key Dates to Remember

Participants can submit their entries from July 1 to July 25, 2026.

• Student entries should be submitted through their respective Student Activities Offices.
• Barangay 183 residents may submit their artworks at the Barangay Hall for screening.

The official exhibit will run from August 3 to August 31, while public Community Voting will take place from August 17 to August 31.

The celebration culminates with the Awarding Ceremony on August 31, recognizing the outstanding artworks that best capture Newport City’s remarkable journey.

Preserving the Past While Inspiring the Future

With ASCEND: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Newport City continues to celebrate the heritage that laid the foundation for its growth while inspiring new generations to tell its story through art.

By connecting history with creativity, the initiative reminds visitors and residents alike that every community has a story worth preserving—and every brushstroke helps keep that legacy alive as Newport City continues to rise into the future.