Monday, February 22, 2010

Everyday Filipino Heroes are Here and Coming!

Our Everyday Filipino Heroes Banner Project (coming this April-May 2010) hopes to send a collective message that the looming elections should not be about finding heroes, because heroes are already all around us...

Here are some of them, as seen through the eyes of some of the first few artists who have already submitted their works...

Musicians (Jef Carnay)

Health Workers (Elmer Borlongan)

Mga Katiwala (Plet Bolipata)

Mothers (Marika Constantino)

Children (Don Salubayba)

Mothers and their OFW children (Raymond Legaspi)

Workers (Bencab)

So never lose hope... heroes are all around... and more are coming. Stay tuned!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Decalogo #6

"You shall strive for the independence of your country: for only you can have any real interest in her advancement and exaltation, because her independence constitutes your own liberty; her advancement, your perfection; and her exaltation, your own glory and immortality."

--Apolinario Mabini


THIS COMING MAY, VOTE WISELY!!!

** Artwork by Cris Villanueva Jr. (60"x48" oil on canvas, 2010), depicting the sixth of Apolinario Mabini's mandates, for CANVAS' exhibition DECALOGO. The show will feature ten original artworks by ten members of Salingpusa interpreting ten timeless precepts for Filipinos from the brains of the Katipunan...

Coming this April 2010!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Pre-Launching Our Next Children's Book!

Mark the date and time - 6:00pm on February 25, 2010. At the Ayala Museum. See you there!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day!

Say it with us... "Sobrang cheesy!!!"

Friday, February 12, 2010

Full Circle


Located in the heart of Boston, Massachussetts, and housed in a stunning 15th-century Venetian-style palace with three stories of galleries surrounding a sun- and flower-filled courtyard, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is home to works by some of the most recognized artists in the world, including Titian, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Manet, Degas, Whistler and Sargent. A popular stop for tourists, it is also the only private art collection in which the building, collection and installations are the creation of one individual, Isabella Stewart Gardner.

So we were pleasantly surprised and even a bit proud, to receive an email from them ordering ten copies of our children's book, "Message in the Sand," for them to sell in their shop. There's the small problem of how to actually ship the books to them - the cost of shipping from Manila to Boston is criminally (almost) prohibitive - but we will figure that out. :-)

Interesting bit of trivia, I had a chance to visit the Gardner Museum back in 2001 where I chanced upon and purchased two copies of a charming little book, "In a Japanese Garden," by Charmaine Aserappa. We liked the book so much that we embarked on an internet search for Charmaine, hoping to get permission to adapt her book into Filipino.

We found her, but that initial idea didn't pan out... but to make a long story short... it instead led to new discussions that eventually led to her penning "Message in the Sand" for us.

So now, this surprise email from the Gardner Museum completes a circle for us.

This whole episode just goes to show... things don't always work out as hoped or planned, but they always do work out in the end...


* Photocredit: Self-Portrait, Aged 23, 1629
by Rembrandt, Dutch, 1606-1669
Oil on wood, 89.7 x 73.5 cm

(from the collection of the Gardner Museum)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Scenes from Our Studio Shoot

So, we had another of our photoshoots for our upcoming projects yesterday. It's a tedious process, but totally worth it when you see the final images.

We're extremely lucky to have access to state-of-the art equipment and lighting.


It doesn't matter how small the piece is... attention to light and detail makes all the difference.


See? :-)

*** Paintings above are by Anthony Palomo and Tammy Tan. The single continuous wire angel sculpture is by Ian Valladarez.

*** Thanks to our photography partner, Northlight Studios.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Decalogo #10

"You shall consider your countryman more than your neighbor; you shall see him your friend, your brother or at least your comrade, with whom you are bound by one fate, by the same joys and sorrows and by common aspirations and interests.

Therefore, as long as national frontiers subsist, raised and maintained by the selfishness of race and of family, with your countryman alone shall you unite in a perfect solidarity of purpose and interest, in order to have force, not only to resist the common enemy but also to attain all the aims of human life."


--Apolinario Mabini


THIS COMING MAY, VOTE WISELY!!!

** Artwork by Elmer Borlongan (60"x48" oil on canvas, 2010), depicting the tenth of Apolinario Mabini's mandates, for CANVAS' exhibition DECALOGO. The show will feature ten original artworks by ten members of Salingpusa interpreting ten timeless precepts for Filipinos from the brains of the Katipunan...

Coming this April 2010!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Frank Sinatra and What it Means to Be Filipino

Lots of trivia, insight, misconceptions, and questions to ponder in this New York Times human interest piece on that all-time karaoke favorite, My Way.

Ingat lang at huwag masyado mayabang pag kumakanta mga kababayan!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Restraint

We really, REALLY want to comment on the election-related circus stuff that's been happening recently. From Villar's tribulations to Noynoy's disappearing lead, there are lots of insight, criticisms and jokes to be made. But against our nature, we're keeping ourselves quiet.

We have two big shows coming up that's intended to get people to think and decide for themselves, so that's our priority.

Friday, February 5, 2010

How to Critique Art

For a good and simple overview on how to critique or understand artworks, click here.

Decalogo #2

"You shall worship God in the form which your conscience may deem most righteous and worthy: for in your conscience, which condemns your evil deeds and praises your good ones, speaks your God..."

-- Apolinario Mabini


THIS COMING MAY, VOTE WISELY!!!

** Artwork by Anthony Palomo (60"x48" acrylic on canvas, 2010), depicting the second of Apolinario Mabini's mandates, for CANVAS' exhibition DECALOGO. The show will feature ten original artworks by ten members of Salingpusa interpreting ten timeless precepts for Filipinos from the brains of the Katipunan...

Coming this April 2010!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Why Art Matters

From the Artful Manager:

The arts create ''ripple effects'' of benefits throughout our community...
  • A vibrant, thriving economy, where neighborhoods are more lively, communities are revitalized, tourists and residents are attracted, and so on.
  • A more connected population, where diverse groups share common experiences, hear new perspectives, understand each other better, and such.
Exactly!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Decalogo #4

"You shall love your country after God and your honor and more than yourself for she is the only Paradise which God has given you in this life, the only patrimony of your race, the only inheritance of your ancestors and the only hope of your posterity; because of her, you have life, love and interests, happiness, honor and God."

--Apolinario Mabini


THIS COMING MAY, VOTE WISELY!!!

** Artwork by Manny Garibay (60"x48" oil on canvas, 2010), depicting the fourth of Apolinario Mabini's mandates, for CANVAS' exhibition DECALOGO. The show will feature ten original artworks by ten members of Salingpusa interpreting ten timeless precepts for Filipinos from the brains of the Katipunan...

Coming this April 2010!

Monday, February 1, 2010

First Impression

“First Impression,” Tet Aligaen’s latest exhibit at 1/of Gallery in Serendra, features her signature otherworldly blooms. The collection is somehow a reintroduction of the artist as it is her first outing at the said venue. Her floral renditions range from ethereal monochromatic blue gardens accented by red dragonflies with diaphanous wings, to wildly colorful yet fluid fusions that almost bring to mind kelp forests or perhaps the Charles Kingsley children’s classic, “Water Babies.”

Ma. Theresa Ureta Aligaen earned her Fine Arts degree at the Philippine Women’s University. Although following her mother’s wishes had her spending her first two years in college under the university’s Nursing program, her artistry was not to be denied. After a course shift, the painter nicknamed ‘Tet’ added to her creative avenues as she studied and also worked for a private firm as a graphic artist. After graduation, she held exhibits in Davao while maintaining employment until marriage and motherhood eventually took precedence.

1996 was pivotal for Tet as the loss of her only daughter caused her art to burgeon once more. Now her watercoulors continue to flow as though an outpouring of her love for the girl whose memory bolsters Tet’s already preternatural talent. She has since held various exhibitions and her artworks are also on display in Singapore.

“First Impression” is on view until February 15, 2010. 1/of Gallery is located at the second level of Serendra, Global City, Taguig. For further details, email 1ofgallery.serendra@gmail.com or call 901-3152.