let's continue

I've been busy in the past few months in my work, since no new development occurred within these past months..I think I would be visiting the studios of my fellow artists...
will post my stories later...

April Exhibit

the venue of this event was moved to the Legislative Building...

           

      The  Kalinawa Art Foundation ,Kalinawa Art Foundation  a non-profit organization who promotes the development  of and dedicated to bringing the finest  Indigenous Peoples' visual art in the Philippines will mount  the 3rd Indigenous Peoples' Visual Art Exhibition in Legislative Building, Provincial Capitol Compound, Puerto Princesa City in the province of Palawan.

      Works to be exhibited are expected to come mostly from the Tagbanua and Palawan' tribe from the south and from the Cuyunons (from the ethnolinguistic group).The Tagbanua group of artists dubbed as the Aborlan Art Programme, introduced to rubber cut prints and terracotta sculpture comprised the exhibitors.There are nine known  IP's in Palawan, but only few were mapped when it comes to surveying their art.The first exhibit was held in Kamarikutan Kape at Galeri, preceeded in the second time in Asturias Hotel, now for the third time, the venue is set in the lobby of Legislative Building.

Many of the products that emerged in the souvenir shops were made by the Palawan group; consisting of wood carvings, bamboo square-based baskets (tingkup) and replicas of hunting gears and masks.We hope that  in years to come, many of these undiscovered artists and artisans will emerge and show their art through the support of the foundation.

Activities are as follows:

April 18-19, 2013                registration of participating artists and acceptance of artworks

April 20                               opening of the exhibit, public viewing and judging  by selected  juries.                                

April 26                               closing ceremony and awarding of winners, return of works

Respite

In the first quarter of the year 2013, there was no art happenings. March is a busy month for parents preparing for the students' examination and graduation exercises. Summer is closing in, time for vacation, the city might witness art activities in April.

In the past years, months of April is one of the most exciting times of the year in the arts. The Pagdiwata Arts Festival  which was hosted by the defunct Kamarikutan Kape at Galeri showcases workshops, performances and exhibits. This attracted visitors, artists from around the country, and locales alike. Many local talents were nurtured and helped develop, exposing art awareness among the community.We hope the said festival which was discontinued 3 years ago will be revived in the future.

Hopefully, there will be new culture and arts promoters to emerge to help develop art awareness in Palawan. As the influx of  immigrants(local or foreign) and tourists demand more areas in the arts and culture to offer,  local culture can only best understood through the arts, and not only through visiting beautiful places.

There are local artists practicing their art here.They are exhibiting their works from time to time(alternative art venues are listed here in the blogs pages) hopefully, when you visit Palawan you might stumble in one of their exhibits.

waiting

Happy new year everyone.It's been a long while that I have not updated this blog. I am busy with some projects, my work demanded time, so it took me a while to attend to tell stories about our local art scene.
The scene here for this month is 'waiting' for happenings.
After a year of observing the 'goings on' while I am part of it-(did a handful of shows, some group and one solo) there might be another exciting events that is going to unfold, as there are new artists emerging in town.
New visions might be blazing around town.

Glimpse

in between infinity and El Nido

 the bus stopped unloading some cargoes.

Crowns of the buho plant is the usual skyscrapers,

that stand majestic amidst the blue sky

lit by flickering moon at dawn.

The morning fogs tried to hide

that everyday magic

from the retina of humans,

as karst mountains are yawning,

awakened from its deep slumber..

lucky to pass by..

just another day in paradise..

exhibits for December 2012

A show coming up will be in Gypsy's Lair Artcafe, organized by Artists for Nature:

Artists for Nature (www.artistsfornature.org) is an organization committed to promote environmental awareness and support conservation programs through art. It is composed of artists driven by their desire to conserve Mother Nature to use art as a vehicle for environmental education and fundraiser for specific eco projects.

Isalbar Ta! (Let us save) is an art exhibit on Biodiversity Decline

it will open on December 22, 2012,

participating artists are:

Jonathan Benitez

Allan Calingasan

Mike Garcia

Frances Mendoza

Wlliam Peneyra

Cleng Sumagaysay

The organization will also mount concert and exhibit on January 19, 2013 in Manila at Conspiracy Garden Cafe, Visayas Avenue Quezon City for the benefit of Save Philippines Seas Pawikan Watchers.

Lists of Art Exhibits for this month of December in Puerto Princesa City and Palawan area:


Coral Reef Series, Abstract Works by Jonathan Benitez, El Nido Boutique and Artcafe, 
El Nido, Palawan December 2-31, 2012

Obog Kat Kadaatan Baw Parayamat Banwa, (Offering for Culture and Nature) by Aborlan Arts Program, artists are composed of out of school youth and Tagbanua (one of Palawan's IP) 
Palawan Museum, Puerto Princesa City, November 24- December 24, 2012

ISALBAR TA!  Group Exhibit on Biodiversity Decline, Gypsy's Lair Artcafe, Mercado de San Miguel
Puerto Princesa City, December 22, 2012

my El Nido Artcafe' Exhibit

Been busy  this month. Christmas season in the Philippines is one of the most anticipated of all seasons.Decors were set as early as November, by the first week of December all establishments were filled with the colors of Christmas!.
My job as an artist requires me to attend to this activities-in charge of the decorating team.

Below are some of the photos during my one man show:
all photo credits: El Nido Artcafe.

the Amazing El Nido town, north of Palawan

Judith the cafe owner, me and Arvin the municipal arts and culture officer

the opening talk 

playing with the cafe band from left; Toptop,middle; Loy, Tani the owner and Weng(behind)

me playing the African Djembe drum

meanwhile, my exhibit in El Nido was opened. It will run until first week of January 2013.

There was an ongoing art show in Palawan Museum; Titled; Obog Kat Kaayatan Baw Parayamat Banwa(An Offering for Culture and Environment) by one of Palawan's Indigenous Artists, which opened on November 24, 2012 but I have not checked it yet, will post updates soon.

One show coming up in Gypsys Lair Artcafe in December 22, 2012.