philstar.com - Arts and Culture

Jul 032014
 
The downside of reading your horoscope

MANILA, Philippines – When the stars align in your favor, everything seems to go well, but what happens when the stars don’t? Even when we refuse to believe that we are being superstitious, human nature compels us to believe in our own fate. Some people may find reading horoscopes ridiculous, but for some, following the stars is part of their way of life. For those who believe in horoscope, studies claim that reading your horoscope is more than just a harmless past time. According to a published article on Journal of Consumer Research, people who read their horoscope daily were found to be more likely to display impetuous or indulgent behavior when their zodiac is not on their favor. It is because believers are persuaded by what the horoscope tells, so they are more susceptible to temptations, while people who don’t believe their stars carry on as normal. On the other hand, scientists at the University of South Carolina and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland revealed that an unfavorable fateful prediction subsequently increases the likelihood of choosing indulgent over virtuous options only for consumers who believed their fate is malleable. This is after they gave each participant a negative star sign reading and then asked to decide whether they were going to clean their house or go to a party. People who had said they believed in horoscopes were more likely to choose the party, while others chose the “virtuous” option of cleaning up. There are people who believe in Read More …

Jun 292014
 
Romeo Gutierrez at ArtAsia Gallery

MANILA, Philippines – Romeo Gutierrez holds his 30th one-man show titled “Figurative Abstraction,” which opens on July 2 at ArtAsia Gallery, fourth floor, Artwalk, SM Megamall A, Mandaluyong City. The show runs until July 16. For inquries, call or SMS 0907-4420284 or email phynnebarnett@yahoo.com.sg. Gutierrez is a former board of director and vice president of the Art Association of the Philippines.

Jun 222014
 
William Chua’s ‘Tangible Rhythms’ at EDSA Shang

William Chua with one of his sculptures, currently on view at The Gallery, Shangri-La Plaza Hotel. Photo by BOY SANTOS MANILA, Philippines -“I seldom see an artist awed by his subjects like Dr. William Chua,” explains The Crucible Gallery’s Sari Ortiga. Ortiga is talking about how Chua — a cardiologist and electrophysiologist who is also a painter and a sculptor — is so fascinated with the inner working of the human heart.  As an artist, Chua has held exhibitions since 1996 using, fittingly enough, the heart as his major subject. He has mounted shows in the Philippines and in the US, particularly New York and Washington D.C. His paintings have been included in several art books. Heart: Sketches in Eden is a handsome notebook-style compilation of drawings and paintings by Chua. His massive sculpture titled “Puso” (black iron pipe in red urethane finish on black granite base) sits in front of the Medical Arts Building at the Philippine Heart Center. The doctor’s latest sculptures are currently on view until June 25 at The Gallery, Mezzanine Level of EDSA Shangri-La Plaza Hotel in Mandaluyong City. The show is titled “Tangible Rhythms,” featuring a rhapsody of shapes and forms that aim to depict the mysterious interior beats of that particular thing that moves everyone’s world: the heart. Dr. Chua is in love with the process of sculpture itself, continues Ortiga. “The result is a sincere piece of art paying homage to creation itself.” The artist-doctor agrees, confessing that his oeuvre is dedicated Read More …

Jun 152014
 
Fête celebrates its 20th anniversary  in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Alliance Française de Manille (AFM), the Department of Tourism (DOT), Intramuros Administration and the Embassy of France to the Philippines — in partnership with B-Side Productions and Viva Manila — present the 20th anniversary of Fête de la Musique in Metro Manila on June 21.   On June 20, there will be a Fête Kick-Off Party at Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros at 8 p.m. featuring French, Filipino, and Indian artists: DJ M.MAT, SinIndia, Caliph 8 and Kate Torralba. For the first time in 20 years, Fête de la Musique will be celebrated simultaneously on the three main stages across two cities and 19 pocket stages, all free of cover charge as always. The main stages will be at A-Venue Parking Lot on Makati Avenue, Greenbelt 3 Park and Maestranza Plaza in Intramuros. The extension in Intramuros, one of Metro Manila’s richest historical sites, is made possible through the new partnership with the Department of Tourism, Intramuros Administration and Viva Manila. Over 200 local acts and two French artists (M.MAT and DJ Jon Attend) will rock the main and pocket stages all over Makati, Intramuros and Malate. Fête de la Musique 2014 will feature Tropical Depression with Lolita Carbon of Asin, Kalayo with Joey Ayala, Radioactive Sago Project with Kat Agarrado of SinoSikat, Basti Artadi with Radha, Motherbass with June Marieezy, Imago, Pedicab, Barbie Almalbis, Cocojam, Kjwan, Taken by Cars, Flippin’ Soul Stompers, Brigada, Miss Badkiss, Caliph8, Red-I, Philippine All-Stars, just to name a few. For information Read More …

Jun 082014
 
Alfredo Liongoren: Perfectly above ground, also deeply underground

MANILA, Philippines –  In the Philippines, no other abstract painter is as renowned as Alfredo Liongoren in perfecting figurative and other art forms. He also makes fearless excursions beyond art at the risk of silencing his canvases and compromising the visual genius he is known for. This way, he does not lose art and life, he says, adding he does not mind being life-sensitive and art-challenged at the same time.  In a one-month exhibit titled “Balesin in My Mind” currently on view until June 15 at the showroom of Alphaland Makati Place on Ayala Avenue Extension, Liongoren showed two different styles: figuration and semi-abstraction. His three watercolors depict children at work, in figurative forms, a part of his “Koronang Tinik” (Crown of Thorn) series done in 2010. “Batang Pacquiao” shows a young boxer’s outstretched paw and a child’s frail image on a jar. “The series is an ode to children. Their values are affected by our moral standpoint in life. They become what we are in life,” lectures Liongoren. Liongoren’s  “Koronang Tinik“ series has an old nest. After an alliance with social realist painters who emerged in the ’70s, he focused on the oppression of the poor and learned to depict class struggle in figuration. Also in the Alphaland exhibit are Liongoren’s seven semi-abstract art works in acrylic, meant to depict scratches on earth, extractions from nature, and lessons learned about defiled environment. Only two in the collection have pastel colors but they ache for summer and springtime, making them symbolic of Read More …

Jun 012014
 
Sanso authentication session at Galerie Stephanie

MANILA, Philippines – As part of National Heritage Month, Juvenal Sansó, one of the country’s most renowned visual artists belonging to the Modernist School of Philippine art, holds his biannual authentication session on June 5, from 3 to 6 pm at Galerie Stephanie, at Unit 1B, Parc Plaza Bldg, 183 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Libis, Quezon City. This is Sanso’s way of meeting his collectors and assuring them directly of the authenticity of the artworks in their possession. It is also the artist’s way of showing his thanks to people who have expressed appreciation for his art and a way to help in the campaign against fakes and forgeries. During Sanso’s authentication sessions, the artist not only attests to the authenticity of the artwork but can give some information on the style, background and influences of his various artworks to the collector. Sansó is a Presidential Medal of Merit Awardee. He also has medals of honor or knighthoods from Spain with the King’s Cross of Isabella and a chevalier rank from the French government for his outstanding accomplishments in art. For information, call 709-1488.

May 112014
 
A lovely house, a lively conference

My wife Beng’s profession as an art restorer and conservator brings her into contact with some very interesting people, and one of them is a quiet, unassuming man named Mike Santos, whose arrival at our home always causes the usually calm and cool Beng to groan in distress, not because of anything she holds against the fellow but because she’s sure that, invariably, he’s going to be bringing in another job that will test Beng’s skills as a restorer to the limit. “Why do you do this to me?” I keep hearing Beng wail at the smiling Mike. One piece I remember him dropping on Beng was a century-old poster or banner of the Virgin Mary, apparently painted or printed on silk, lovely except for the fact that the silk was stained, tattered, and coming apart in places, like a battleworn flag. “Can this even be saved?” I recall thinking. But wonder of wonders, after weeks of careful and well-studied work, Beng was able to restore the piece and to return it to a happy Mike. Perhaps in appreciation for all her labors, Mike invited Beng and the rest of her family — that meant me, my mother, Beng’s mother, Beng’s cousin Lando, and my sister Elaine and her husband Eddie who were visiting from the States — to merienda in his Antipolo home. But as sumptuous as it was, the merienda was just the climax to the real purpose and pleasure of the visit, which was the ancestral house Read More …

Apr 272014
 
UE Sininglangan 2014 winners named

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the East (UE) announced the winners and finalists of the Sininglangan-Tres, inter-school on-the-spot Ballpen Art Competitions, dubbed “Art on the Edge: The Power of Art as Healing Force in Rebuilding the Nation,” held recently in observance of the National Arts Month and UE Caloocan Week celebrations. UE Sininglangan-Dos second prize winner Aaron Cedrick Santos Manaloto, fine arts student at Far Eastern University, won the grand prize. He received P25,000. Other winners are Dionne Elizabeth S. Tonolete of St. Scholastica’s College,  second place (P15,000); and UE Sininglangan-2012 finalist Don Bryan Michael Bunag of Bulacan State University, third place (P10,000). The top three winners were awarded a trophy each, as well as Dong-A products. The jurors, headed by NCCA visual art committee vice-head Edgar Fernandez, together with UE alumnus Danilo Pangan, Rico Tompong and Dong-A’s brand manager, UE CFAD alumna Roselle G. Rivera, selected 12 outstanding entries. This year’s Sininglangan had 45 contestants from 10 universities, schools and colleges in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Cited as sponsors’ choice were Jayroll P. Francisco from University of the East-Caloocan, and Mark Anthony P. Laza of Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST). Jaypee M. Pindos of EARIST, and John Niko S. Pelaez, Christian L. Padilla and Christian Morato of UE-Caloocan, Ronald A. Ambangan of Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Manila; Andrew D. Tan of FEATI University and Renee de Jesus Avila of University of Santo Tomas were also finalists. They received P1,000 cash prize each, plus Read More …

Apr 272014
 
Gallery News: Guy Custodio at Arte Luna Gallery

MANILA, Philippines – Guy Custodio illustrates the 14 Stations of the Cross in  “Cenaculo,” which is on view until May 15 at Arte Luna Gallery in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The show, organized and presented by Pinto Art Museum, is the first of three curated exhibits for the new art space located in the vicinity of the world-renowned Paoay Church. For inquiries, call 697-1015 or email pintoartmuseum@yahoo.com. * * * ‘New Olds’ at Yuchengco Museum Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: The Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (IFA), together with German curator Volker Albus, presents “New Olds: Design Between Tradition and Innovation,” which opens on May 9 at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Ayala corner Sen. Gil Puyat Aves., Makati City. The show runs until June 6. The show features 60 objects that explore the relationship between tradition and innovation in contemporary design. For the Philippine leg of “New Olds,” curator Albus will especially feature chairs designed by Gabriel Barredo and Dem Bitantes. To complement the “New Olds” traveling exhibit, the Yuchengco Museum presents “Design Insights Philippines,” a showcase of works by local designers — Olivia d’Aboville, Anton del Castillo, Daniel Latorre Cruz and Wataru Sakuma — that experiment with material, pattern, construction and functionality. A curator’s talk with Albus is also slated on May 9 at 4 p.m. For inquiries, call 889-1234 or visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org. * * * Ben Cruz and Joselito Jadayan at Kaida Contemporary Ben Cruz and Joselito Jadayan depict the ladies across South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Read More …

Apr 202014
 
Best of the regions vie for Aliwan Festival Queen

MANILA, Philippines – Eighteen lovely young ladies representing folkloric festivals throughout the country will vie for the title of Festival Queen when the annual cultural showcase billed as Aliwan Fiesta — presented by Manila Broadcasting Company, Star City and the Cultural Center of the Philippines — gets underway from April 24 to 26. Selected by their respective regional tourism offices with support from their local government units, the candidates will serve as tourism ambassadors for their individual localities, highlighting the myriad attractions of our island nation. Host cities Pasay and Manila lead off with their entries — Earlen Janine Descalzo for the Dayang-Dayang Festival of Pasay, and Angelica Padilla for the Dalaksagaw Festival of Tondo.  Baguio is fielding Sarah Jane Abdul, while Lulette Ramilo will represent Isabela’s Bambanti Festival. Bulacan is sending Jechele Mae Paano for Guiguinto’s Halamanan Festival, alongwith Shaira Lenn Roberto for the Singkaban Festival.   Mabalacat has entered the name of Jinky Serrano.  Antipolo City is sending Bernadette Salinel. From the Visayas, it will be another battle of dark-skinned lasses against mestiza bets.  Michelle Marie Monte represents Iloilo Dinagyang, while Ahriana Lovely Huyaban will carry the colors of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta. Hazel Mae Trasmonte will do the honors for Kabankalan, while Trixia Marana will carry the pride of Dumaguete’s Sandurot festival. Cebu, whose track record in the Aliwan Fiesta not only includes the Hall of Fame for three straight wins by Lumad Basakanon but also five straight Reyna ng Aliwan titles, will field three candidates this year: Read More …