Kaida Contemporary holds group exhibit
LIPON, a group exhibit presented by Kaida Contemporary, features six Filipino visual artists: Benjie Cabangis, Jeff T. Dizon, Neil Doloricon, Hermisanto, Nestor Vinluan, and Junyee. It will be on view from March 9 to 22 at the ArtistSpace. An exhibition years in the making, Lipon was scheduled before the pandemic. Now, it is only fitting to look to works of art that can bring the flush of health back to our greyed-out collective perception. Lipon in the local language defines how individuals come together to converse and pursue discourse in contribution to a larger dialogue in society; a meticulously selected collection of paintings signifies this gathering, presented in this timely exhibition that traces not only creative manifestations from the past, but also highlights the divergent paths the artists have taken on their journey to self-expression and social commentary. ArtistSpace is located at the Ground Level, Ayala Museum Annex, Makati Ave. corner De La Rosa St., Greenbelt Park, Makati City. The gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
Lecture on Dante Aleghieri
IN CELEBRATION of Dante Day, the National Library of the Philippines, the Philippine Italian Association, Ateneo de Manila University, and the UA&P present “Dante: The Poet and The Statesman,” a lecture by Marco Clemente, Ambassador of Italy to the Philippines, on March 25, 3 p.m. Dante Alighieri is the world-renowned author of the Divine Comedy and “father” of the Italian language, from the point of view of history. This lecture will focus on Dante the man, particularly the statesman, behind the poet. It will expound on Dante’s love for his hometown, Florence; on how he served his city as a Priore; and even on his theories on the state that led to his exile. The lecture will reveal how the Divine Comedy alludes to Dante’s years as a statesman and how the writing itself of the Divine Comedy was impacted by this fundamental period of his life. Ambassador Marco Clemente’s two main cultural passions are the Divine Comedy and the Italian opera, both of which have become, over his many years of service, instrumental in his diplomatic work. The presentation will be followed by an open forum moderated by Dr. Philip Z. Peckson, Assistant Professor at the Department of Literature of the University of Asia and the Pacific’s College of Arts and Sciences. To register for the lecture, go to: bit.ly/DanteRegistration. This webinar is the third of a series of literary lectures and round tables initiated last year by the Philippine Italian Association and the National Library in partnership with the Embassy of Italy in Manila, Ateneo de Manila, and the University of Asia and the Pacific.
Book and exhibit launch of Brave New World
A PROJECT initially created to help the artists involved make a living despite the COVID-19 quarantine has culminated in an exhibit and a coffee-table book. Inspired by the bravery of people who continue to persevere despite the severe impact of the pandemic and the challenges of living in the new normal, a collection of more than 400 works by over 300 artists was created. The culmination of these efforts is the book, Brave New World. The artists were asked about the role of art in times of crisis. The featured works also bear witness to a stark new reality with a multitude of struggles to survive and work. Adding to these, many artists also seek to honor various frontliners as our modern-day heroes. The book launch and exhibit opening will be on March 16, 6 p.m. at the Art Lounge Manila in The Podium. Featured artists in the Brave New World coffee table book include Max Balatbat, Anton Del Castillo, Brave Mabalo Singh, John Paul Antido, Renz Baluyot, Kim Hamilton Sulit, Renato Barja Jr., Wesley Valenzuela, Michael Villagante, Charlie Co, Antipas Delotavo, Angelito Antonio, Norma Belleza, Michael Cacnio, Ramon Orlina, Demi Padua, Winner Jumalon, Jojit Solano, Joel ‘Welbart’ Bartolome, Sid Natividad, Chelsea Theodossis, Jomike Tejido, Manix Abrera, Roel Obemio, and Alfredo Esquillo, to name a few.
The evolving art of Tanya Gaisano Lee
DAVAO-BASED artist Tanya Gaisano Lee makes her vibrant pieces available in the form of decorative art trays. In 2014, she entered the local art scene and presented black and white patterns showing her promise. Four years later, she held her first solo exhibit at the Crucible Gallery in Manila. Entitled Beyond Nude, the exhibit showcased her strong artistic voice — not only in her choice of subject, but also in her vivid interpretation. Her last exhibit was truly personal as she came home to her hometown Davao to showcase her art. Beyond the Womb, which was her first solo exhibit in Davao, told her journey in conceiving her daughter. This year she embarks on a new journey as an artist and shares her vision by making her vibrant pieces available via decorative art trays. “I felt inspired to have art trays because I wanted not only to be part of the aesthetic on the walls of some homes but to also have a utilitarian piece that could be available to more people. The artworks are available in two-piece sets with three sizes to choose from: small (12in x8in), medium (14in x 9in), and large (15in x 10in). “The artworks I chose for the decorative trays are my rendition of the Madonna and Child, a vivid rooster, and the colorful peacock. … I also plan to create more and expand available designs for the line in the coming months,” she said in a statement. Visit her Instagram page to learn more: www.instagram.com/tanyagaisanolee_art.
Enderun launches new multimedia arts degree program
ENDERUN COLLEGES is launching a professional undergraduate degree program, the Bachelor of Multimedia Arts. The program is housed under the College of Architecture and Design (CAD) and is currently accepting student applications for its pioneer batch in August 2022. Enderun’s multimedia arts program has formed an Advisory Board composed of, among others, Budjette Tan, a Filipino comic book writer and co-creator of the comic book series Trese and the Creative Lead for LEGO Agency in Denmark; Dan Matutina, 2013 Art Directors Club Young Guns Awardee and Founding Partner of Plus63 and Hydra Design Group; Seven A.D., seven-time 4A’s Independent Agency of the Year Awardee headed by Teeny Gonzales, Tey San Diego, and Russell Molina; Colman Walsh, Founder and CEO of UX Design Institute in Ireland; Donald Lim, Chief Operating Officer of DITO CME Holdings Corp. and Chief Innovation Officer of Udenna Corp.; Ivan Despi, Co-owner and Creative Director of The Acid House and Partner for the Hydra Design Group; and Michelle Barreto, CEO and Head of Strategy of Vitamin B, Inc. The Advisory Board provides recommendations and suggestions regarding industry trends and curriculum development, learning opportunities through lectures of round table discussions with students to share experiences as leaders in the industry, and opening internship opportunities for students through their industry network. For more information about Enderun’s Bachelor of Multimedia Arts, visit https://cad.enderuncolleges.com/.
Reading drive raises a thousand textbooks for NGOs
APPROXIMATELY 1,000 new textbooks and reading materials were donated to pre-school, elementary and high school students in the most vulnerable sectors through Handog Benildyano: Gift of Reading. The initiative was launched through a partnership between the Read to Know, Read to Grow book drive of the Rotary Club Circuit of Makati and LF Joy Foundation and the Center for Social Action of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The Rotary Club Circuit Makati conducted a fund-raising project to secure new reference books published by American learning company McGrawHill. The purchased collection covered basic education from language, reading, and writing to mathematics as well as advanced knowledge of algebra, geometry, and calculus and the diverse branches of science. It also included titles on world history and geography, as well as literature, clothing, construction and economics. The materials were distributed to nonprofit, nonstock and nongovernment organizations and social development agencies, such as IT Tender, Honor 1000 Movement, Self Reliance and Development (SRD) Konkokyo and Salinlahi Children’s Alliance. The textbooks donated to Akap sa Bata Phils. were distributed to the parents and volunteer care-teachers in the cities of Pasay, Pasig, and Quezon to address the need for early childhood education among families in need. New sets of learning resources likewise awaited students of Rafael Palma Elementary School and P. Villanueva Elementary School in Pasay City, plus beneficiaries of Dar Amanah Children’s Village, the only Muslim social welfare institution in Luzon. Meanwhile, the books handed over to Unang Hakbang Foundation will propel the organization to build bookshelves along the streets and basketball courts of local communities as part of its Aklatang Bayan Program. The first batch of Handog Benildyano: Gift of Reading donated books to Food for the Hungry Philippines, which were also distributed to Sitio Anginan Daycare Center in San Mateo, Bulacan.
PPO live at the CCP Grounds
THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines will hold the first live performance of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) in 2022 under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera on March 11, at 6 p.m. at the CCP Grounds. The PPO will be performing timeless orchestral classics, Broadway favorites, and Filipino compositions. Filipino artists performing in the concert include: Lara Maigue, Bo Cerrudo, Robert Seña, Isay Seña, and the Nightingales’ Bianca Lopez-Aguila, and Rhina Palma-Cruz. The concert is free and open to all. First come first serve basis will apply. Strict health and safety protocols will be implemented during the event. The concert will be livestreamed via the Cultural Center of the Philippines, CCP Office of the President and PPO Facebook pages. For more information, visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.
NCCA calls for entries for the Young Historian’s Prize
THE NATIONAL Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Young Historian’s Prize. The NCCA, through its National Committee on Historical Research (NCHR) conceptualized the Young Historian’s Prize (YHP) to recognize the potential of young Filipino scholars on the basis of their single original work in the field of Philippine history and historiography intended to foster a sense of national identity, pride, and national interest of the country. The Young Historian’s Prize shall be given to an individual whose work has met the following criteria: the nominee must be a Filipino citizen between 21 to 40 years old at the time of submission; must be single authorship; original work; entry must be written in proper academic style; entry can either be published or publishable work; and must have used primary sources that can contribute to the enrichment of Philippine history and historiography. A duly accomplished nomination form must be submitted along with author’s curriculum vitae, NSO certified birth certificate, notarized sworn statement of authorship, manuscript in a PDF file soft copy and three sets of hard copies all of which should not bear the author’s name or any reference to the author; and two (2) endorsement letters from an academic institution, local historical society, or practicing historian to: The Young Historian’s Prize Secretariat, Program and Project Management Division (PPMD). The past winners include: Escuela Nautica de Manila: Nautical Education in the Nineteenth Century Philippines by Vergel E. Ay-ad (2017), A History of Mental Health Institutions in the Philippines 1898-1935 by Francis Justine M. Malban (2020), and Public Works and the Spanish Colonial Agenda of Sanitation, Order, and Social Control in the Late Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Manila by Ros A. Costelo (2021). Deadline for submission is on April 15, 2022. For more information, contact the Young Historian’s Prize Secretariat at (02) 8527-2192 local 308, or through e-mail at sch@ncca.gov.ph. Visit www.ncca.gov.ph and Facebook page for further details.
Portraits of Christ
ARTIST Kristine Lim opens her art installation, Portraits of Christ at Baluartillo de San Francisco Javier, Fort Santiago, Intramuros Manila. Portraits of Christ taps on the controversy in history and theology that no one truly knows the real face of Jesus. The face that we recognize to be our Lord’s is, in fact, far from what He could have looked like. The different interpretations of the face of Christ have been dependent on the culture, taste, and era of the artist that envisioned and forged it,” Ms. Lim wrote of the installation. The exhibition runs until April 1, 2022.
The National Museum releases e-book on The Basi Revolt
THE NATIONAL Museum of the Philippines launches a new e-book titled, Visualizing 200 Years: Contemporary Ilocano Commentaries on The Basi Revolt Panels. It features short articles where 17 authors share their thoughts on scenes portrayed in the year 1821, and artworks attributed to Vigan mestizo Esteban Villanueva that pertain to the Pedro Mateo and Saralogo Ambaristo-led revolt in the undivided Provincia de Ylocos in 1807. With 78 pages, the e-book also includes photographs of the 14 panels comprising The Basi Revolt paintings taken by Benigno T. Toda III. Download the e-book and other NMP publications for free at: https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/publications/.
