Though Lubay did not win the prize money worth 8,000 €, Lubay declared in his Facebook account that the "recognition is the prize," aside from the competition being an international one. German artist Michael Luther's "Gallery (Desk)" bested Lubay's work by a mere 2 points or one vote. Lubay, on the other hand, bested Czech artist Juraj Kollar's "Landscape." Lubay also said in his Facebook that he voted for Kollar's work.

The highlight of the event came when life-sized toy ballerinas appeared onstage to signal this year’s grand gift-giving celebration led by Jollibee Philippines president Pepot Miñana, Jollibee Foundation president Grace Tan, Jollibee vice president for marketing Albert Cuadrante, Jollibee Foundation vice president Belen Rillo and executive director Gisela Tiongson with the original Jolly Toy Scout Aga Muhlach.

Some of the Yumbassadors—Jollibee’s chosen Pinoy youth icons—also helped shower the kids with gifts and love. They were three-time Palanca Awardee Miro Capili, visual artist Nasser Lubay, and coffee painter Sunshine Plata.

On July 23rd, a huge turnout of Akumal tourists and locals welcomed international artists and their works at Ondarte. What was for many years the beloved Italian bistro Que Onda, has now reinvented and reopened as an artists’ retreat and gallery with the purpose of supporting artists and promoting culture.

The opening’s featured artists from around the world were Cathryn McEwen from Australia, Jorge Llamos Gonzalez from Cuba, Nasser Lubay from the Philippines, Diane Richey Ward from the USA, Susan Riegel from the USA. Ondarte will open its doors to the public once a month to display the works of its resident artists.

This year, World Vision invited selected Jollibee Yumbassadors as guest speakers led by teen star Sam Concepcion who himself has been a long-time World Vision Ambassador. Sam was also joined by Bam Aquino, youth leader and social entrepreneur who pioneered the HaPinoy project; Miro Frances Capili, the youngest three-time Palanca awardee; Carmela Lao, first Filipina to bag International Mathematical Olympiad medals; and Sunshine Plata, renowned coffee painter whose fan base includes Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Last year, Jollibee introduced these world-class Pinoy achievers known as Yumbassadors to promote youth empowerment and Pinoy pride among teens in line with Yum campaign. International karting sensation Jean Stefano Marcelo, Grand slam tennis champion Francis “Nino” Alcantara and award winning visual artist Nasser Lubay were also handpicked to be part of this circle.

NASSER Lubay, a 26-year old self-taught painter from Quezon bagged second place honors in the painting category of the prestigious Celeste Prize 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

The Celeste Prize, an international art competition for contemporary artists, is organized by a non-profit Italian cultural association, ‘Associazione Culturale L’Albero Celeste’ founded by Steven Music. The final selection of winners was held at the Alte AEG Fabrik in Berlin last Sept. 26.

“I was pleasantly surprised when they called out my name,” muses Lubay, who flew to Berlin to attend the exhibition of shortlisted finalists. He adds, “I was also informed by the chairman that I was one vote short of the grand prize winner, and he told me that it’s the very first time that an entry from the Philippines was chosen to compete in the finals.”

He continues, “Just to be able to be there to experience everything was already priceless, so when I was announced second prize winner, I just felt so ecstatic and blessed considering that the finalists were the ones who chose the winners by secret balloting.”