AZEL NEL
ARMAMENTO

ABOUT

Azel Nel Corda Armamento (b. 2006) is a Filipino visual artist whose talent has blossomed on both national and international stages. He has garnered numerous accolades, winning competitions at the division, regional, and national levels, culminating in representing the Philippines in prestigious international events.Beyond his impressive achievements, he is deeply involved in the vibrant art community of the region eastern visayas. He served as the president of the Handurawa: Young Visual Artists Club from 2022 to 2023, fostering the growth of aspiring artists. Currently, he remains an active member of several prominent art groups, including TATAC Tacloban Culture and Arts, WANSAC Waraynon Social Art Club, GUHIT PINAS - Leyte Chapter, and ISLA Island of Samar and Leyte Artists Inc., contributing to the artistic landscape of the eastern visayas. Currently a student at the Lyceum of the Philippines University - Davao and residing in Davao City, he plans to explore and expand his artistry in Davao City and the Davao region.

ORGANIZATIONS

ACHIEVEMENTS

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

REGIONAL

LOCAL

ART GALLERY'S

ARTWORKS

" Kablas "18 x 24 Inches
Php 9,500.00
2022

The artwork titled "Kablas," meaning "poor" in waray-waray, is a poignant social realism painting that depicts the stark reality of poverty. The choice to focus on a child in the streets speaks volumes about the vulnerability and hardship faced by many. The painting serves as a powerful call to action, urging individuals and institutions, particularly the government, to address the issue of poverty and provide support to those in need.This impactful artwork was not only recognized for its artistic merit but also for its social message. It was selected as a winner in the SYT International Art Competition 2022, held in Manila, Philippines, and was among the top 50 works chosen from submissions worldwide. This recognition further underscores the significance of "Kablas" as a powerful statement about social responsibility and the importance of addressing societal challenges through art.

" Tatay ngan Anak "18 x 24 Inches
Php 6,500.00
2022

"Tatay Ngan Anak," which translates to "Father and Son," is an abstract painting that captures the essence of a farmer and his son returning home after a day's labor in the mountains. With the abstract forms and colors to convey the physical and emotional weight of their journey, highlighting the toil and dedication inherent in their work.The painting evokes a sense of quiet strength and unwavering love. The father and son, united in their shared experience, embody the values of hard work and family. Their journey, though arduous, is driven by a deep love for their family and a desire to provide for them. The artwork serves as a poignant reminder of the often-unseen sacrifices made by farmers, who work tirelessly to sustain their families and communities, despite receiving limited recognition and reward for their labor.

THE JOURNEY

Born in 2006 in Tacloban City, Eastern Visayas, Philippines, he comes from a decent family. Influenced by family members connected to the arts, his mother, a former dancer and member of the Leyte Dance Theater (LDT)—a prominent group in Tacloban City and Eastern Visayas during her youth—and his sister, also a dancer and former member of the Leyte Normal University Dance Company and a former student at Leyte National High School - Special Program in the Arts in the Dance Specialization. His sister also won contests and participated in events, such as winning the Asian Development Foundation College Dance Sport Competition during her college days and participating in the Sinulog Festival Dance during her high school days.Born into a family committed to the arts, with cousins who are former members of the Leyte National High School - Special Program in the Arts, specializing in Visual Arts, Instruments, and more, he, influenced and surrounded by artists, naturally embarked on his artistic journey as a young individual, continuing to learn and grow.At the age of three to five, Azel embarked on his artistic journey. His early explorations began with random scribbles on any available paper, turning them into drawings of skyscrapers, city skylines, and people. Even his father's office computer became a canvas for his creative spirit, as did his mother's recycled school papers. Occasionally, he participated in ceramic painting sessions at malls in their city, supported by his parents, particularly his mother.His passion for the arts blossomed during kindergarten at Sto. Niño Speed Center in 2011. He eagerly participated in school art contests, gaining valuable experience and exposure to a competitive environment, improving his drawing skills, and showcasing his work to the public with simple explanations, supported by his family. These early successes instilled in him a love for artistic expression.Upon entering elementary at The Leyte Normal University - Integrated Laboratory School in 2013, his talent truly shone. Just weeks after transferring, his artwork garnered attention, earning him praise from teachers and a reputation as a gifted young artist, due to assignments and classroom activities that differed from those of a typical first-grader. This early recognition fueled his passion and motivated him to continue his artistic pursuits, earning him a strong reputation in the school.However, his journey was not without its challenges. Typhoon Haiyan struck on November 8, 2013, one of the strongest typhoons in the world, hitting the Philippines and particularly Tacloban City, bringing devastation and disrupting his education for months. With limited resources and no electricity, he persevered, drawing by candlelight amidst the darkness and lack of resources due to destroyed homes and closed shops. His determination and dedication to his craft remained steadfast, supported by his mother, even without electricity and by just the candle's light.From second to fourth grade, after the destruction of Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013 and the return of face-to-face classes, he participated in classroom and school-based art contests, excelling in poster making, ceramic painting, and even a slogan-making contest. His talent for visual arts earned him a strong reputation within the school community, culminating in championships and victories in poster-making contests.His fifth grade marked a significant turning point. He stepped onto a larger stage, competing in his first regional competition. The pressure was immense, facing new individuals from diverse schools across Eastern Visayas and representing his school and Tacloban City. Undeterred, he rose to the challenge as a first-timer outside of the school, earning his first regional championship in poster making. He further showcased his versatility by earning a silver medal in the regional Science Olympics, demonstrating his diverse talents.His final year at Leyte Normal University - Integrated Laboratory School in 2018 to 2019 was a whirlwind of competitions. He tackled challenges at the division level, even qualifying for national competitions. Despite setbacks along the way, his dedication never wavered. By the end of sixth grade, he had amassed an impressive collection of awards: six championships, one silver medal, one bronze medal (excluding school-based competitions), and two qualifications for both regional and national events, even getting the gold medal for the science Olympics in 2018, after winning silver in 2017. He also earned the prestigious Leyte Normal University - ILS Artist of the Year Award for two consecutive years, 2018 and 2019. His elementary years concluded with a resounding testament to his artistic talent. He was discovered and invited to join art groups in Eastern Visayas, becoming a member of the Guild for Upholding and Harnessing Indispensible Talents (GUHIT) Pinas - Leyte Chapter and ISLA Island of Samar and Leyte Artists Inc., connecting with a vibrant artistic community and becoming an active member through culture and the arts at a very young age.After graduating elementary, his junior high school journey began at Leyte National High School, the largest school in Eastern Visayas in terms of population and a renowned institution for its Special Program in the Arts (SPA). Even as a newcomer, competing against students from 7th to 10th grade, he quickly made his mark, winning his first competition as a seventh-grader in a school-based contest—a remarkable feat against older students. His talent continued to blossom in Leyte National High School and as a student in the Special Program in the Arts (SPA), earning him championship titles in various school-based competitions, solidifying his reputation among teachers, classmates, and school heads as just a 7th grader. He also joined organizations in the school, such as the Official School Publication of Leyte National High School (The Leytean) and the LNHS - Commission on Elections, becoming an active student and student leader in the school, not only in the arts, and started his journey with the Handurawa: Young Visual Artists Club.By eighth and ninth grade, he was already representing Leyte National High School in division, regional, and national art competitions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, even without coaches or personal instructions in art. He also garnered a reputation as an eighth-grader in Leyte National High School, having won all school-based competitions straight from 7th grade, earning him a high reputation and the choice of being a representative of the school during outside-based competitions.As a ninth-grader, he had already won multiple competitions representing his school, Tacloban City, and DepEd Eastern Visayas in multiple art competitions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, with or without a coach personally present, but it didn't matter. His dedication and talent culminated in a historic achievement not only for himself but also for the school and the city: a national championship in the Philippines leg of the 4th IWPG Art Competition as a ninth-grader. This victory secured his first-ever qualification for the international stage, earning him a place in the 4th IWPG International Loving-Peace Art Competition Finals in Seoul, South Korea, which is a remarkable feat for himself and his journey as a young individual and artist.Amidst the pandemic, he also expanded his artistry and joined a renowned art group in Tacloban City, the WANSAC Waraynon Social Art Club, as a 9th grader. Also as a 9th grader, he participated in art galleries such as the Hiyum-Aram 2021 and in the Pag-Urusa: A Visual Arts Exhibition for the National Arts Month 2022, where he met local veteran artists as a young individual, earning him connections and a bigger reputation in the realm of artistry in Tacloban City and in the Eastern Visayas region.His artistry continued after the COVID-19 pandemic, as face-to-face classes began in the new normal. It opened more opportunities for him, as he started representing and competing once again for the school and Tacloban City in multiple art competitions regionally and locally, earning him gold medals and plaques in his 10th grade. He earned a very high reputation in the school, with teachers, school heads, and classmates. He also focused not only on arts but also on academics, finishing as one of the top students in the Special Program in the Arts in 10th grade with a high general average and ranked 2nd, finishing with high honors. He was also elected as the president of the Handurawa: Young Visual Artists Club, where they organized an art exhibit in the Music and Dance Festival 2022 featuring SPA students from 7th to 10th grade, which turned out successful. Additionally, he became the class president of Grade 10-Volta for the school year 2022 to 2023. He continued not only being an artist but also being a student leader and an active member of the community. He finished his junior high school journey with a very high finish and reputation, and an impact and trust for the school and connections.As he moved on to senior high school, on his final two years as a high school student, despite wanting to move from one school to another to continue fine arts in another school, what mattered most to him was his reputation, as he would be building it once again if he moved out, and also the number of opportunities that awaited him. So, he continued at Leyte National High School in the Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) strand for his 11th grade and as a first-year senior high school student.Just a month into classes, he continued participating in competitions, marking his reputation in the senior high school department of Leyte National High School in Accountancy, Business, and Management. Upholding the name of his strand, he continued participating in competitions and won a regional painting competition in 2023, marking his very first win for the senior high school in Leyte National High School. But it wasn't the end. Every month during his first year as a high school student was filled with numerous competitions, not only in the arts but also in academics, as he was the top 1 of the class, representing in quiz bee competitions in mathematics, and also participating in sports competitions such as badminton. He was an active student, not only in arts but also a student leader inside the classroom and in extracurricular activities. He won multiple art competitions every single month from school-based to regional. Finally, he competed once again in the national competition and successfully defended his title as a national champion in the 5th IWPG International Loving-Peace Art Competition Philippine Leg in 2023, earning him once again a spot on the international stage, as he once again represented the Philippines in Seoul, South Korea, for the 5th IWPG International Loving-Peace Art Competition Finals 2023. He earned a super high reputation as a student, as a leader, in his strand, and his school as he continued to excel not only in the arts but also in academics and other extracurricular activities.As his final year in Leyte National High School approached, he bid farewell to the school where he spent blood, sweat, and tears and achieved so much from school-based, regional, and national competitions, and going to international and representing the Philippines. He continued, persevered, and joined the last three competitions that he would ever represent the school. First was the division level in the Malacañang Palace Parol Making Contest, in which they ended up as second placer. Once again, he competed and defended his title for the third straight time in the 6th IWPG International Loving-Peace Art Competition Philippine leg in 2024, in which he won once again as a national champion and earned a spot as a finalist in the Held 6th IWPG International Loving-Peace Art Competition Finals held in Seoul, South Korea in 2024, representing the Philippines, where he was featured in the school and news articles and newspapers of Eastern Visayas. As his final competition approached in April 2025, he represented the region, Eastern Visayas, after winning the regional championship representing his city for the 83rd Araw ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans Week National Poster Making and Oratorical Contest 2025. He ended his time as the national champion once again three years after his first stint in 2022 in the same competition. He ended his final journey for his school, region, and Tacloban City with a very high impact, leaving a legacy and reputation that will forever be remembered by school heads, teachers, and division heads of Tacloban City.He continued his arts by expanding and joining the TATAC Tacloban Culture and Arts Council as a council member of the culture of arts of Tacloban City. He joined more art galleries, such as the Himu-Rasak in 2024 and 2025, and also in the Department of Agriculture Fiesta Hiraya in 2024.He also received multiple scholarships from universities in the United States of America, totaling ₱35.9 million pesos from institutions such as the University of Michigan-Flint, Clarkson University, Xavier University, Western New England University, Queens University, Woodbury University, Eastern Illinois University, and others. This was a result of his hard work and dedication in all the competitions he participated in, from the losses and wins, and also focusing not only on the arts but also on his academics.As he continues on to college, despite the offers of admissions, he chose to stay in the Philippines to follow his passion for aviation and his dream of becoming a pilot. He moved to Davao City, to the Lyceum of the Philippines University - Davao. As he pursues the field of aviation, he also plans to pursue the field of the arts, continuing and expanding his network in Davao City and the Davao region during his stay for college, while also trying to build a reputation in his new school and city. Currently, he is a student at the Lyceum of the Philippines University - Davao in the College of Engineering and Aviation, living his life and pursuing aviation.

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