Art and advocacy converged in a powerful celebration of women, sustainability, and coastal resiliency as the FMA Coordinating Unit (FCU) Caraga recognized outstanding women artists during the Regional Awarding Ceremony of the FishCoRExhibit held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the Watergate Hotel, Butuan City.

The event celebrated creativity as a powerful tool for environmental awareness, highlighting sculptures that depict pressing issues in marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and coastal resilience.

Emerging as this year’s Regional Winner was Aime Claudine A. Neri-Espina, whose work stood out for its compelling narrative and artistic execution. Sarah Gey B. Aledo secured second place, while Rafaella J. Utrera earned the third spot—each presenting thought-provoking pieces that underscored the vital connection between people and the sea.

The FishCoRExhibit is a flagship communication initiative under the Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project, designed to harness art as a platform for environmental awareness and action. This year’s edition placed a spotlight on sculpture, enabling artists to transform complex environmental and social challenges into tangible, visual expressions that resonate with the public.

More than an art exhibit, the event also served as a pre-launch for the first-ever Women FISHer Congress, carrying the theme “Kababaihan: Lakas ng Pangisdaan.” The initiative aims to highlight the indispensable role of women across the fisheries value chain—from fishing and aquaculture to post-harvest processing, coastal resource management, and community leadership.

As the regional winner, Espina’s sculpture will represent the Caraga Region in the upcoming National Art Competition.#

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