Category: Arts & Culture

HABI: The Philippine Textile Council Announces Return of its Prestigious Piña and Abaca Weaving Competitions

HABI: The Philippine Textile Council invites piña and abaca weavers to showcase their skills in its two flagship competitions—the 7th Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition and the 3rd Eloisa Hizon-Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition.

The competitions, which are part of HABI’s mission to preserve, promote, celebrate, and develop Philippine textiles and the country’s weaving culture, are among the highlights of the council’s annual Likhang Habi Fair which will be held from October 18 to 20, 2024 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.

Artisans from all over the Philippines are welcome to join.

Last year, Marilyn Almero of La Herminia Piña Weaving won two prizes at the 6th Lourdes Montinola Piña Competition for the excellence and innovation of her piece called “Peacock.” Aklan weavers Raquel Eliserio and Anna India Legazpi were first and second runner-up, respectively.

Winners of last year’s Eloisa Hizon-Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition were Anna India Legazpi, Agustin Tawi Sudaw of Bulacan, and Edgar Cornito, a T’Boli from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

This is the 7th edition of the Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition, the Philippines’ premier piña weaving contest, named after the chair emeritus of the Far Eastern University and author who is a champion of indigenous textiles. She has written several books including “Piña,” a landmark book about the origins, the history, and the artistry of piña cloth.

Artists and artisans who want to join the competition may work on their own or collaborate in creating extraordinary piña cloth.

Entries will be evaluated based on quality of making—excellence of the range of processes used including the knotting of the fiber, control over weaving tension, balance between the tensile strengths of piña and other fibers woven with the pineapple fiber, dyeing or other form of coloring, the physical relationship of the embellishments to the woven cloth and more—and quality of innovation and use of imagination.

The judges will be looking for freshness and excellence in the way they handle piña as a material. Blending with other natural fibers is allowed, as long as piña makes up more than 50% of the body of the cloth.

Participants are encouraged to explore new possibilities for couture and experiment with new procedures in the making of pineapple fiber cloth.

Submissions need to be at least two meters long. There is no regulation on the width.

Three winners will be chosen and ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd. But that’s not all. “There will be special awards for young weavers under 30 years old and for outstanding innovation,” said Adelaida Lim, President Emeritus of HABI.

Abaca weavers get their chance to shine in the Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition. Lim shared, “The abaca competition was initiated by the former fashion designer Gang Gomez, now Don Martin, OSB, and his siblings, to honor the memory of their mother who championed the wearing of native attires and use of local textiles.”

For the 3rd Eloisa Hizon-Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition, participants may also work on their own or collaborate with other artists in creating extraordinary abaca cloth.  Submissions must be at least three meters long and woven exclusively using abaca fiber. The width is up to the contestants.

Entries will be judged based on excellence in execution, skill and technique, including knotting and control of weaving tension, design and weaving qualities specific to the culture of the weaving community, aesthetics, dyeing or other forms of coloring, and quality of innovation, if any.

Three exceptional pieces will be chosen and awarded equal prizes.

Entries must be packed with care and submitted to HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, Inc. Office at No. 962 May Street, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Include a signed application form with the following details: title of work, name of weaver, age of weaver, Indigenous group, mentor, address, weaving experience, how long it took to make the piece, description of the process, and date. The deadline for submissions is on September 16, 2024.

Interested parties may find out more about the competition mechanics by checking the council’s website habiphilippinetextilecouncil.com, and its social media pages on Facebook and Instagram (@HABIcouncil).

The winners of both competitions will get to exhibit and sell their work at the forthcoming Likhang Habi Market Fair slated for October 18-20, 2024 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City.

The winning works will remain the property of their makers after HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, Inc. fully documents them. HABI will also assist them in selling their creations.

For more information, call HABI: The Philippine Textile Council at +63921849-6974 or e-mail support@habiphilippinetextilecouncil.com.

July 24, 2024
REVIEW: A Matter of Privilege: a review of the new original play ‘Patintero sa Ayala Avenue’

Full disclaimer: I am a founding member of CAST (Company of Actors in Streamlined Theater) and have been a part of their first two seasons before the pandemic. But I have not been an active member since the pandemic and I have no participation whatsoever in this latest season or in their latest production, the new original play ‘Patintero sa Ayala Avenue’ written and directed by Rafael Jimenez and starring Zoe de Ocampo and Teia Contreras. I sat down on the opening night as an audience member and a critic. I may be friends with the producer but had no idea what I was about to witness.

‘Patintero sa Ayala Avenue’ is a play written by Rafael Jimenez, his thesis for his degree in Theater from Mint and it is a powerhouse of emotions, almost entirely a monologue by its lead character, simply known as The Boy, except for a few scenes with The Boy’s 10-year-old sister Nora. The Boy is a high school student in a prestigious boarding school in Manila, but he is failing four out of his five subjects and faces expulsion. It begins pretty much with Zoe de Ocampo talking to someone named Mike. “Dear Mike” he starts, almost like he’s writing a letter. He talks about his current predicament and with a light change, he goes from an internal monologue into a real-world conversation – whether it’s his problematic roommate or the principal of his school – and we discover that The Boy is not in a good place.

Photo courtesy of May Celeste

He shares his observations about the bullies of his school and the effects it has on other students – one extreme case follows that someone tried to take his life – and what’s implied but never spoken out until much later is how he has a lot of issues with his parents, most especially his father, who is a director. It’s so bad that he decides to sneak out of the boarding house (it involves bribery) and walking around Poblacion. He shares his candid views about the red-light district that is Burgos street, mentioning more than once the number of foreigners (white folk) with a Filipina in their arms. He tries to stay the night at the hotel in front of Filling Station but can’t get a room because he’s underage and meets a woman who he tries to flirt with until he discovers she’s a sex worker. We follow The Boy through his traipse around Makati, constantly asking about where the Christmas lighting decor that adorn Ayala Avenue go when the Christmas season is over, while telling Mike about all his angers and frustrations about the world. Very quickly, we discover that The Boy is also unreliable narrator, because even his musings to Mike are also filtered by his own need to look like he’s in the right.

The Boy discusses family relations, memories of a happier, simple past, and his thoughts about suicide or running away to Baguio. We seem date girls and screw that up because he’s kind of misogynistic and overall toxic and what we get is a snapshot of the dark, inner world of the privileged youth.

What makes it hard to bear is while any suffering should be dealt with sympathy and empathy, The Boy is not without options. He’s wealthy. Who else gets to run away and tries to book a room at a hotel so he can spend the night. This is a kid who has run away from home and will book a Grab to go from Ayala Triangle to Glorietta. He complains that all Filipino movies are bad (he uses harsher terms than that) and all because his dad is a film director and he hates his dad. When he is with his guy friends, he takes on the posture of the toxic male and it bleeds into his dealings with the girls that he likes.

Photo courtesy of May Celeste

For one hour, all of the first act, we have to follow this boy’s misadventures and its hard to empathize when he has so many options that are available to him. There’s even a moment when he talks to a pares vendor and The Boy becomes the vendor, all hunched, smoking a cigarette, and talking about how life doesn’t mean anything because it’s all going to end. The vendor is the only other character The Boy interacts with that The Boy inhabits and voices out and this adds an extra layer of privilege that comes from the playwright and not just the character. These vendors who work under the neon lights of Burgos are some of the nicest, friendliest people I’ve come to know because I live in Poblacion. The working class don’t think about the world ending, they live in the moment. They are happy that they can work, that they can provide. They are the first to tell us stories about the things they’ve seen (and they’ve seen plenty) and it’s what I cannot stand about poverty porn because most of the working class, and even lower class know how to have fun, to laugh, and to take each day on its own merits.

Everything comes together by the second act, when the specifics of The Boy’s backstory lay out everything that the first act was just symptoms of his own lashing out. But by that point, I’m no longer on his side, and this play needs us to be on his side. He’s someone who needs a friend, an older figure (definitely parental) but there’s no one there. The audience can become that person, the only one who can care about him, but we don’t. The play didn’t give us that option. So, when we finally see him interact with his sister, Nora, the only person he loves and possibly loves him back, it comes too late for the audience to imbibe the message that the play tries to give.

What makes it a powerful debut, nonetheless, is that it felt very authentic to the milieu and the sensibilities of the character. The references, the use of language: all of these were unapologetically cued in to its zeitgeist and that’s not an easy thing to do. It’s a demanding work for both the audience and its cast. The playwright loves his character and while there’s nothing wrong about writing about privileged people, the writing must open itself up to larger perspectives that can make it inclusive to a larger audience who will not share these experiences.

Photo courtesy of May Celeste

Zoe de Ocampo is a promising powerhouse, who is able to capture and engage the audience all by his lonesome up on that stage. I think what he needs is more experience as the demanding play asks him to immediately shift from internal monologue (his letters to Mike) to the one-man dialogue with characters in the play (who are not present). There are nuances and shifts that need to be more refined because it’s so subtle that the delivery can come across as monotone through the whole play. The way he talks to the sex worker should be different from when he talks to his guy friends, his abusive rommate, or a pares vendor in Burgos. It’s most prominent when he speaks to Nora, played effectively by Teia Contreras. That’s where the shift becomes really clear. With more experience – both on stage and off stage – De Ocampo is going to do very exciting things for Philippine theater.

‘Patinteto sa Ayala Avenue’ is a strong debut, regardless of what I think about its politics, and brings in a fresh new voice in Philippine Theater in English. Most original Filiipno plays I’ve seen are in Filipino and most English plays I’ve caught are revivals of Western work. New voices like these should be heard and these are important steps to their growth. With all the success recent theater productions have been getting, ‘Patintero sa Ayala Avenue’ is proof that Philippine theater is blooming.

My Rating:

‘Patintero sa Ayala Avenue’ last week runs from July 6 to July 7 at The Mirror Studios. Tickets details are found on CAST’s Facebook Page and Instagram.

July 5, 2024
The Leading Women in Philippine Musical Theater Are Triple Threats

Triple Threats, the concert series produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, puts the spotlight on these multifaceted individuals in a concept concert. Each concert carries a unique narrative told through a curated selection of music and songs by the featured artist, allowing audiences to get glimpses of the different dimensions of these acclaimed figures in television, theatre, music, and film.

For this year’s edition, the Triple Threat Concert Series features the Leading Women of Philippine Musical Theater – Carla Guevara Laforteza, Shiela Valderrama Martinez, and Tanya Manalang Atadero.

CARLA GUEVARA LAFORTEZA

One of the strongest and most fearless stage performers in the Philippines, Carla Guevara Laforteza is a premier, multi-awarded leading lady and character actress. She has graced the international musical theatre scene with some of her most notable roles including Kim and Gigi in Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal Dreary Lane in London (1995-1997), and the Club singer and Flo Manero for the Asian tour of Saturday Night Fever (2015). She is also currently touring Asia as an official vocalist for Disney in Concert (2023-2025). Among her notable roles in local theatre include Joy in Ang Huling El Bimbo, for which she received the 2019 LEAF Award for Most Outstanding Actress in a Musical, and Kapitana Mary Jane in Rak of Aegis, for which she was awarded the GEM Award for Best Featured Artist. She is currently appearing as Edith and Rose in the new Ben&Ben Musical, One More Chance. Carla celebrates her 30^th year in the industry.

With a sold-out show, witness her as she premieres this year’s series with Triple Threats I: A la Carlotta on July 25, 2024.

SHIELA VALDERRAMA-MARTINEZ

With an angelic voice and an equally angelic face, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez is the muse of the musical theatre stage. With an illustrious 30-year career in the industry, she is the recipient of LEAF Awards for Best Actress in a Musical, Awit Awards for Best New Female Recording Artist, and Aliw Awards for Excellence in Dramatic Performance. Among her most notable roles include Lily Dela Rosa in Binondo, a Tsinoy musical at the Theatre Solaire, Katherine Lyons in the critically acclaimed musical Dani Girl, Kapitana Mary Jane in Rak of Aegis, and the highly coveted role of Fosca in Stephen Sondheim’s Passion. More recently, she has performed at The Dream is a Wish Disney Orchestra Concert in Genting Malaysia.

Catch her grace the center stage on October 17, 2024, with Triple Threats II.

TANYA MANALANG-ATADERO

One of the most accomplished actresses on the musical theatre stage, Tanya Manalang-Atadero’s skills and talent have brought her the world over from New Manila, Quezon City, to the West End of London. Within her studded repertoire include roles such as Kim in the West End revival of Miss Saigon, Liesl Von Trapp in the classic musical The Sound of Music, Carla in the Atlantis Production of In The Heights, Stacy King in All Out of Love, and Aileen in PETA Theater’s fifth season of Rak of Aegis, the latter two roles for which she had won Aliw Awards and GEMS Awards Best Actress in Musical, respectively. She is also currently part of the touring singing group The Jet Theaters, performing for events across Asia.

Don’t miss your chance to watch her close the curtains of this year’s series on December 12, 2024, with Triple Threats III.

Ticket prices are Php. 1,000 for standard tickets and Php. 1,500 for VIP tickets.

For updates on future productions and other programs of the CCP, you may follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

July 4, 2024
New ARTablado exhibit is sister act

Growing up in an artistically-inclined family helped develop sisters Bettina Marie and Maita Hagad into the promising young artists they are today. Their parents Felix and Catherine Hagad are both seasoned architects, and their maternal grandmother Estrella H. Hagad is an accomplished artist as well.

Eight years ago, Maita exhibited some of her works alongside that of her Lola but this time—at ARTablado in Robinsons Galleria—it’s a sister act that is not one of sibling rivalry but a dual display of creativity.

The sisters hail from Bacolod City and are multi-disciplinary artists whose combined skills include painting, sketching, sculpture, fashion design, fashion styling, photography, videography, print making, textiles and installation art.

Both are graduates of De La Salle College of St. Benilde. Bettina has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising while Maita graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design, major in Landscape Design.

In 2019, Bettina developed the fashion line Downtown Lavish with a partner that continues to do well. Last year, Maita studied Landscape Architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Design Discovery Program.

Although Bettina sees fashion as her “true north,” she returned to painting during the pandemic and began creating lively, abstract canvases that depict activities that require the use of touch: playing dice, mazes, tic-tac-toe, abacuses and even old-school glass marbles with swirls of color in the center.

She found an audience that appreciated her works and was able to successfully sell her paintings through trade shows and by accepting commission-based work. To hone her skills in pencil work, Bettina took sketching courses at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts in August 2023.

“I can’t pinpoint when I discovered my love for art but I was drawn to it an early age. I can still vividly recall taking art classes and drawing whenever and wherever I could as a young child,” she recalled.

Initially enthralled by fishes, landscapes and seascapes, she moved on to doodling fashionably dressed girls as her interest in fashion grew. “I think my art journey has not been the most linear and is an experience that is quite unique to me, given that I’ve decided to pursue both arts and fashion,” Bettina said.

Today, she works as a freelance artist and fashion designer who takes on different roles needed in her family’s business. Bettina is also gearing up for the opening of her new arts studio in Bacolod City.

Her sister Maita is an award-winning designer, artist and dancer who “seeks to intersect concepts of ecology, memory, and movement through forms of visual and spatial experiences.”

Maita’s creations, which range from clay pottery and paintings to print and tapestry, were influenced by her early years in Bacolod and her adult life in Metro Manila.

One of her showcased items is a hand-stitched tapestry entitled “Tutod” that took her nine months to complete. Set in a grid-like pattern, it’s an aerial view of Negros Occidental’s sugarcane plantations.

On her Instagram account, Maita said the piece, dyed brown and black, “recalls the ‘tutod’ practice of burning sugarcane fields after harvest—an enduring image from growing up in Bacolod City.”

“Growing up surrounded by artists and designers, I was introduced to the arts at a very young age. When I was just four years old, I began classical ballet training. This was the beginning of my love for the arts, as it was within these creative environments where I found my most expressive and inspired self,” Maita recalled.

“My artistic journey started within the realm of performing arts. Dance, inherently intertwined with the notion of space, instigated my fascination with the movement of bodies within spatial contexts. This led me to delve into the study of interior and landscape design. Since then, my artistic endeavors have served a means to intertwine these diverse interests and inquiries.”

The sisters’ shared love for so many branches of the arts is unique and tightly binds them.

“I think having a sister who is also into the arts benefits us both in so many ways. Not only are we able to feed off of each other’s ideas, but we are also able to have interesting and deep conversations as sisters,” Bettina said.

“We learn together and from each other,” Maita added.

Both said they were grateful to have been invited to present their works at ARTablado. “This opportunity to exhibit my work to the public is significant to me,” Maita said.

“Both Maita and I have not exhibited in a long time. Given that Robinson’s advocacy will greatly help me as a young artist starting out, I could not refuse the offer,” Bettina added.

“These Objects Walk, Not Run,” the two-woman exhibit of Bettina Marie S. Hagad and Maita S. Hagad runs until July 15 at ARTablado in Robinsons Galleria.

June 28, 2024
Let the games begin: Robinsons Land ARTablado presents ‘Taym Pers 2’

In this age of AI, prompt engineering, people pinned to their phones or tablets, and the insane influx of influencers, there was a time when kids played hide-and-seek in the moonlight, used empty cans and slippers as props (toys); mapped out their playground on the sidewalks with chalk; and interacted and enjoyed a live, active, person-to-person contact (not online) with friends; navigated all types of situations with the innocent imagination creativity, energy and determination only children possess.

“Taym Pers 2,” a “multi-sensory” art exhibition by the Alpas Art Group aims to revive and celebrate Filipino traditional games and the intrinsic spirit of play. By safeguarding these traditions, the group aims to contribute in preserving the uniqueness of the Filipino culture and the only Filipino identity built by generation of Filipinos so that we stay as Filipinos in future generations to inhabit our country.

The exhibition is now ongoing until June 30, 2024 at the Robinsons Land Artablado space in Antipolo. It features the artworks of Alpas artists such as Arnold Dominic Ty, Benedict John Simbulan, Buhay Mendoza, Carmel Belda, Charmaine Narne, Christelle Arroyo, Fernando Sena, Wilfredo “Fred” Tejada, Hannah De Guia, Jaja Japitana, Jami Samson, Jana Charleen Mendoza, Jerico de Leon, Jo Tejada, Jonathan Joven, Jun Tuplano, Krister Isip, Kristine Costo, Lawrence Borsoto, Maria Cristina Arroyo, Naomi Narne, Ned Chiara Leis, Otto Neri, Pauline David, Ram Castillo and Rex Santiago.

Founders Othoniel Neri and Jonathan Joven narrates that it was in March 2023 when the first ‘Taym Pers’ exhibits were mounted at Robinsons Antipolo. At that time, the goal was simply to promote Filipino games through art.

Neri and Joven explained how Alpas was founded in the most adverse period of the pandemic as a way of communing with friends and creating freely.

They named their group ‘Alpas’ which means to free one’s self or cut loose. The goal is to break away from any shackles that hold us back, acknowledging that it is only our self-limiting beliefs that restrain us from challenging ourselves to face any life situation. In art, we want to free ourselves from the chains of criticisms, shame, ridicule, conformities etc. because Art is free. We just need to keep playing out our ideas and see what emerges.” Now, for Taym Pers 2, the group wants to enhance the viewers’ appreciation of the importance of play in fostering social skills, resilience and adaptability.

For this exhibition, the group also put on display various representations of Filipino games such as sungka, piko, trumpo, tumbang preso, etc. Visitors are encouraged to engage in gameplay to revive the nostalgia for the simpler yet more meaningful children’s playtimes.

Robinsons Antipolo ARTablado once again hosts “Taym Pers 2” to build on the previous success and support from the venue. The organizers chose the same venue to intensify, amplify, and broaden the reach of their advocacy and objectives. The aim is to continue and spread our Filipino games so they are not forgotten by future generations.

Alpas artist and curator Jami Samson answers, “We are exhibiting again at ARTablado not only as a way of showing our gratitude to the venue, but we also believe ARTblado is the perfect alternative art space for our advocacy to reach the general public through a venue that is accessible to all.”

Alpas president Jonathan Joven agrees. “Ninais naming muling idaos at itanghal ang ‘Taym Pers 2’ sa ARTablado Robinsons Antipolo para mas mapaigting, mas mapaingay, at mas mapalawak pa namin ’yung maaabot ng aming adbokasiya at layunin na hindi matigil, mahinto at mas mapalaganap pa ang ating larong Pinoy upang hindi ito malilimutan ng mga susunod na henerasyon ng kabataan.”

ARTablado shares the ALPAS vision. The people behind Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) believe in the ingenuity and artistry of Filipinos. RLC has allocated spaces at Robinsons malls in Antipolo and Ortigas to hold exhibitions for art practitioners who deserve to showcase their hard work, grit and perseverance. ARTablado’s impact has been instantaneous for members of the art community who have been pining for a platform where every artist — from individual practitioners to members of art groups — gets the chance to shine.

Jami points out how the artworks and participating artists were selected not only for their mastery in technique and how the subject of the exhibition resonates within their own practices, but also for their significant contribution as stewards of children’s agency through art workshops.

“Taym Pers 2” is more than an art exhibit; it is a celebration and preservation of Filipino cultural heritage. By highlighting traditional Filipino games through art, Alpas not only fosters a sense of community and cultural identity but also ensures that these cherished traditions continue to thrive in future generations. The exhibition at ARTablado promises to be a vibrant and impactful continuation of this advocacy, reaching a wider audience and inspiring more to appreciate and participate in Larong Pinoy.

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“The appreciation of Filipino values is evident in these games, such as camaraderie, teamwork, empathy, respect for each other, and gratitude, which you can experience directly in each game,” mused the artists of Alpas. These values are crucial for personal growth and community- and even nation-building.

Established in 2020, Robinsons Land ARTablado, a portmanteau of “art” and “entablado” is Robinsons Land’s very own stage in showcasing the Filipino ingenuity and creativity. This platform allows emerging artists to freely express themselves through art and paves the way to greater recognition of their talent and hard work. To date, ARTablado has mounted numerous exhibitions and hosted over 500 artists.

June 22, 2024
CCP’s Tara, Laro Ta(y)o Interweaves Traditional Games and Dances

Believing in the importance of dance and arts in general in the lives of every Filipino, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) embarks on another milestone project, dubbed Tara, Laro Ta(y)o, that aims to preserve what is inherently Filipino and promote the diverse Philippine dance tapestry.

Featuring six dance films, the project explores how the joyous spirit of traditional games can be woven and intertwined with the dynamism of Philippine indigenous dances. Championing the folk and indigenous arts, the CCP aims to promote traditional dances and games to young generations through these dance films.

Inspired by the traditional games of selected Philippine indigenous communities from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the featured dances are: Mali, a Dumagat traditional dance; Koirdas di la Bordon of Cuyo, Palawan; Sipit-sipit from Eastern Samar; Kikembe from Cuartero, Capiz; Kasipa sa Manggis from Marawi, Lanao del Sur; and Buwa-buwan of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

Comparable to agawan base, the Mali is considered the pambansang laro of the Dumagats from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Usually played after the pagyuyuro (a long day’s work) at night under the moon along the river, the traditional game is played with two teams, with 10 players each; one of which will be the pambato (leader). Utilizing a ball, each group must protect with all their strength and might the base assigned to them.

In the dance film directed by Roberto P. Ramirez, Jr. and choreographed by Ramirez Jr. alongside John Rick Bugas, a player named Emman shows all his strength to win the game and eventually falls in love with his female opponent named Kulot. His love languages were observed and witnessed by Kulot’s younger sister Ekang. He may not win the game but wins the heart of his love.

Played after prayers for the dead or during wakes, Koirdas di la Bordon entails players secretly passing a ring while singing the Bordon. The “It” tries to guess who has the ring. The guessing game continues until the “it” succeeds in pointing at the person who holds it. The holder of the ring becomes the new “it.”

Performed by Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, the dance film shows the son of a bereaved family initiating the Koirdas di la Bordon to keep everyone awake and alleviate boredom throughout the night. Children eagerly join in, providing a much-needed distraction from the grief and sadness of the wake. This showed that even in times of mourning, there is still room for happiness and fun. Percival V. Carel directs and choreographs.

A lively and playful cultural expression from the Philippines, specifically in Taft, Eastern Samar, Sipit-sipit is inspired by a traditional Filipino game where players aim to hit each other’s slippers with their own.

The Samleyaw Performing Arts Group performs the choreography of its artistic director Jerry E. Mores in the film directed by Mores himself and Mark Doclotero. In the film, dancers move energetically, incorporating movements that mimic the act of tucking or placing slippers in different parts of the body. The choreography often includes rhythmic footwork, dynamic arm gestures, and joyful expressions, capturing the essence of camaraderie and competition found in the game.

Kikembe, a traditional group game from Cuartero, Capiz, is often played by children who form a circle and tangle their hands and feet. As they turn and form various formations, they would chant “Kekembe, nang kekembe/Ang barato nang karamiri/Ginsakyan ni Kapitan Kabyan/Byan, byan…. Byan.” Any player who loses focus and stops the routine will render a song or a dance as a penalty.

Directed by Jocelyn Mayo and Ramie Capuyan, the dance film features the performance of Agdahanay Folkloric Group as choreographed by Rose Hallegado and Cute Candelario. In the film, Kikembe ignites the friendship between classmates who bicker and fight.

In Kasipa sa Manggis, sipa players try to outdo one another by kicking the ball-like contraption made of rattan (sipa) and hitting the manggis that are hung on a bamboo above them. The player that can hit a manggis and make it drop to the ground gets a price.

The traditional game is mentioned in Darangen, the Maranaw epic. In the tale, mythical hero Raja Bantugan competed in kasipa sa manggis, along with other noble warriors and datus, to win the hand of a beautiful princess.

Benhur Abulencia directs the dancers of Sining Kambayoka Ensemble (SKE) who follow the choreography of Abulencia and Jear P. Lopez in the film, narrating the story of a Meranaw boy who journeys through the Kasipa games and learns the true value of family.

The Agusan Manobo and Lapakonon Manobo children often play the Buwa-buwan, a traditional outdoor game where the runners will try to outrun the “taya.” The taya will try to chase and block the runners. Hugis Dance Project of Butuan City performs the choreography of Dariel Endencia and Railey Clark Baring in the film directed by Carlito Amalla and Gerard Hechanova.

Each film is accompanied by four videos highlighting the origin, dress, music, and game behind the dances to further promote the folk and indigenous arts while invoking a deep sense of nostalgia. Maximizing the potential of modern technology, the CCP also created instructional videos and books to document unpublished dances from the different regions of the country, with materials on costumes, music, instruments, and choreographies performed by partner dance groups from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“The long-term plan is to create a comprehensive archive of Philippine dances, ensuring that future generations will deeply understand and appreciate our culture and heritage. We aim to distribute these manuals and instructional materials to educational institutions and libraries in the Philippines,” said CCP President Kaye C. Tinga.

In partnership with the Philippine Folk Dance Society and the City Government of San Jose Del Monte, the CCP will screen the Tara, Laro Ta(y)o films on June 25, at the Convention Center, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Coinciding with the launch is the 42nd National Folk Dance Workshop, slated on June 24-28.

June 18, 2024
“Fluid Vision”: A celebration of watercolor in ARTablado

Watercolor artists take centerstage in ARTablado Robinsons Antipolo from June 1 – 15, with the exhibit “Fluid Vision.”

Since its inception in 2020, ARTablado, a Robinsons Land initiative, has been supporting Filipino artists and bringing their work closer to people. ARTablado, with its art stages in Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Antipolo, Summit Ridge Tagaytay and Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, has been showcasing not just Filipino talent but also different kinds of medium and artistic expressions.

With “Fluid Vision,” ARTablado shines the spotlight on watercolor by presenting the work of 40 artists who have mastered what is considered to be the most challenging medium to paint with. It’s the first time ARTablado in Robinsons Antipolo is presenting an all-watercolor exhibit.

“For seasoned art lovers and artists alike, watercolor has always been found to be daunting and difficult to learn, much more to master,” said Jinky Rayo, curator of “Fluid Vision” and leader of the art group Artistica PH. “Yet, for the brave and courageous among us, it is also the most gratifying and intriguing.”

Her own watercolor journey started in 2012. Today, she is recognized as an international watercolor artist and is one of the 40 artists who are part of “Fluid Vision.”

The watercolor art show presents well-known and rising Filipino watercolorists from around the country, members of Artistica Ph, which has evolved from the all-women Colores de Mujeres art group to include male artists who were also part of the Philippine Guild of Watercolorists.

Rayo, founding member and former president of the Philippine Guild of Watercolorists and International Watercolor Society Philippines, said, “The collection embodies enthralling works done in watercolor that will captivate the hearts and minds of art enthusiasts who have a peculiar love relationship with the medium, and intends to summon the hearts of the audience who have yet to discover the ethereal beauty produced only by watercolor.”

She shared that in Europe, China, Japan, Korea, and the US, watercolor art is highly regarded and sells at higher prices. They hope that their show will inspire an appreciation and respect for watercolor in the country and they chose to hold their show in ARTablado Robinsons Antipolo for this reason.

“ARTablado is known to be so supportive of the Philippine art community and we believe it is a strategic venue to showcase watercolor artworks so that more Filipinos can learn to love and appreciate watercolor better and so we can educate the Philippine community on the beauty of watercolor art.”

People can view and purchase the artworks that will be on display. “Fluid Vision” features a wide array of subjects—from landscapes and still life to portraits, floral and abstract.

The artists featured all have their own love stories with watercolor.

Sarah Liuson Ongsun discovered her passion for art and watercolor painting in 2015. Judy Liuson’s journey started with Chinese painting and then oil and acrylic before she ventured into watercolor. Full-time painter and designer Millet Galeos-Sacerdoti turned to art as therapy after retiring from the corporate world at the age of 40. Joanne Cariaso-Gacayan’s watercolor journey started during a leisurely painting session with her sons. April Dy, a wife and mother of three, calls art “one of the best accidents” that ever happened in her life. Susan A. Mendoza considers painting a meditative and restorative practice. Jofel Bañez, a visual artist, wife and mom of two from Marilao, conducts online watercolor classes for kids during summer. Also a wife and mom of two, Ana Maria Sheila Quisumbing-Bondoc’s love of painting was nurtured at an early age by her father who also dabbled in acrylic and oil painting.

Menchie Alunan Vitente started her artistic journey with watercolor florals at the age of 49. Nina Custodio calls painting “an extension of who I am and how I feel about each day I am in this world.” Imelda Tagudar’s scenic town of Surigao Del Sur inspired her eye for color. Glena M. Plan and her siblings taught themselves how to draw and paint as they grew up together in Manila. For Redg Fernandez, a stroke survivor, painting with watercolors has become a source of motivation and has played an essential role in his healing process. Rolly Delos Santos, who prefers to be called Tito Rolly, is a retired art teacher from De La Salle Zobel School and a published author.

Participating artists also include Caloy Gabuco, an artist from Mindoro Oriental; interior designer and freelance artist Cher Cabula-Mendoza; Zata Aquino who works primarily in the impressionist style; Inna Naanep Vitasa, a self-taught artist who studied accountancy; Marie C. Franco who went from professional industrial engineer to professional watercolorist; multimedia artist and metal smith Marj Sula-Aquino, who does ceramic art and paints in watercolor, soft pastels, acrylic, and oil; Romina Melissa Dayanghirang who started painting as a hobby; Kristine Joy Diaz-Teston who is both an artist and a lawyer; Vanessa Bautista, an abstract artist from Navotas City; former nurse Yana Orais; Nani Gacho who started painting long before he studied architecture; doctors and self-taught artists Bids P. Llorin-Luna, Cecilia Lagrosa-Manuel and Aileen Barreiro; and Teddy ”ULAP” Santos, an Industrial Design graduate and self-taught painter.

Joining them are Wendy Dizon Rondaris, an impressionist and expressionist visual artist from Quezon City; Suklin Chang Peña, Beth Robles and Hemy Fabay who love painting flowers; Joseph K. Reyes who juggles his day job in IT and his passion for art; Melanie Reyes Tuquet from Nueva Ecija, who has been painting in watercolor since 2018; Anne Michelle Mitiam, an artist, musician, dancer, gamelan instructor, potter and baker; Jirah Millano, a 25-year-old watercolorist from Pasay City; and Dette Argüelles-Ramos, a visual artist who loves watercolor painting, crafts, and art playdates with friends.

Rayo said, “To appreciate watercolor art is to be transported to another world and dimension of our soul… One has to seep into the colors and hues to understand the heart of the artists and the medium. This is our vision. Our goal. That the art and passion of the artists in this show will be understood, fueled by common love for the medium and the supremacy of the medium on its own.”

“Fluid Vision” runs in ARTablado Robinsons Antipolo until June 15.

June 14, 2024
Independence Day at Ortigas Malls celebrates Filipino heroes, culture, & music

Independence Day (Araw ng Kalayaan) is a celebration of historical and modern heroes who have fought for Filipinos’ freedom. As we welcome the annual holiday, Ortigas Malls has prepared a series of events and activities that highlight our history and colorful culture.

On June 12, GH Mall, Tiendesitas, and Estancia will kick off their Independence Day celebrations in exciting ways, and shoppers shouldn’t miss them:

Greenhills

Starting at 10am, GH Mall will hold a Pagtaas ng Watawat (flag-raising ceremony) at the East Wing Atrium of GH Mall. A Marching Band will also energize shoppers at 12pm.

From 3pm to 6pm, there will be an entertaining and educational Likhang Sining at Kalayaan presentation by the Tanghalang Tula, Kundiman at Katutubong Sayaw. This wonderful display of talent will highlight our beloved Filipino culture through different facets of art.

Shoppers can also marvel at the extraordinary Philippine flag display at GH Mall made out of 1,400 origami flowers courtesy of Origami Philippines. The origami flowers symbolize the enduring bonds and deep-rooted friendships that define Filipino culture. Feel free to take photos in front of the display and share it on social media!

Tiendesitas

Known for being a home of local goods and handicrafts, Tiendesitas is celebrating Independence Day with a whole day of musical performances. Start the day off with a heart-thumping Marching Band performance at Level 1, Food Village from 10am to 11:30am. Musika’t Kalayaan at Level 2, Food Village will delight shoppers with Filipino tunes from 3pm to 9pm.

Estancia

Estancia Mall will also showcase local music for its Independence Day celebration. From 10am to 7pm, shoppers can sing and dance to their favorite P-pop songs at the P-Pop Music Fest:

Hiraya at 2/F East Wing. They can also catch the Independence Day Marching Band performance on the ground floor of the East Wing from 11am to 12pm.

If you’re looking to spend your Independence Day at Ortigas Malls, be sure to catch these fun and patriotic celebrations. Be sure to sign up for the Ortigas Community Card via the Ortigas Malls app to get first dibs on amazing deals, discounts, and perks.

For more information and updates on Ortigas Malls’ events be sure to like and visit their official Facebook pages: Greenhills Mall, Estancia Mall, and Tiendesitas.

June 10, 2024
Mula sa Buwan Soars Back to the Stage with a Stellar 2024 Cast!

The award-winning Filipino musical Mula sa Buwan is returning to the stage for a limited run this August, and it’s bringing back some of the most beloved actors and actresses from its 2022 run alongside some exciting new faces! Brought to life by Barefoot Theatre Collaborative, this production made its mark in 2022, emerging bravely from the shadows of the pandemic. Now, amidst a bustling theater scene, Mula sa Buwan returns with renewed vigor.

Familiar Faces and Fresh Talent

Get ready to see the original dream team of Myke Salomon, Gab Pangilinan, and MC Dela Cruz reprise their roles as Cyrano, Roxane, and Christian, respectively. They’ll be joined by returning cast members Phi Palmos (Rosanna), Jillian Ita-as (Gabriel), and the squad of beloved cadets: Rapah Manalo (Rosario), Khalil Tambio (Limon), Jep Go (Gimo), and Ericka Peralejo (Carissa).

The 2024 production also welcomes new stars to the Mula sa Buwan family. Watch out for Jerom Canlas (Tato), Omar Uddin (Maestro), and Brian Sy (Maximo) as they bring their own magic to the stage.

The talented ensemble cast also gets a boost with new members Ade Valenzona, Daniel Wesley, Jannah Baniasia, Cheska Quimno, Dippy Arceo, Iya Villanueva, and Jules Dela Paz.

And for those who want to make sure they catch the show no matter what, Paw Castillo will be on standby for Cyrano, Teetin Villanueva will be the standby for Roxane and the female swing, and Rofe Villarino will be the male swing.

A Timeless Tale Gets a Filipino Twist

Mula sa Buwan is a captivating Filipino musical based on Edmond Rostand’s classic Cyrano de Bergerac. But this isn’t your typical Cyrano. While it keeps the core story of unrequited love, beauty standards, and the fight for what you believe in, it reimagines the setting to 1940s Manila.

This fresh take lets the story unfold amidst wide-eyed dreamers, fools, and misfits, all fueled by harana (serenades), kundiman (love songs), and overflowing with genuine friendships. Through witty dialogue, heartwarming stories, and beautiful music, the characters fight for their place in a city on the cusp of change.

But when war strikes, love, ideals, and truth are put to the ultimate test. The young characters are forced to confront a harsh reality and find a way to “grow up” faster than they ever imagined.

A Legacy of Love for Theater

Created by Pat Valera and William Elvin Manzano in 2010, Mula sa Buwan has become a beloved Filipino tradition. Each new staging, from the GSIS Theater in 2011 to the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in 2022, has brought something fresh to the table while staying true to the play’s core message of love and resilience.

Don’t Miss Your Chance!

Mula sa Buwan 2024 runs for a limited engagement only, from August 16 to September 8, 2024, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. Book your seats now and experience the magic of Filipino musical theater at its finest!

For more information and ticket reservations, visit mulasabuwan.com or purchase your tickets via TICKETWORLD or bit.ly/msb2024tickets. Get ready to be transported to a world where love knows no bounds and resilience reigns supreme. See you at Mula sa Buwan 2024!

June 1, 2024
“Woman I Am”: ARTablado shines the spotlight on artists who are mothers

This Mother’s Day, ARTablado shines the spotlight on artists who are moms with the exhibit “Woman I Am,” happening at ARTablado Robinsons Galleria, until May 15.

Since 2020, ARTablado, a Robinsons Land initiative, has been supporting Filipino artists by providing them with venues so they can bring their art closer to people. In the past years, ARTablado, a portmanteau of the words “art” and “entablado,” has featured artists both rising and established at its art stages in Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Antipolo, Summit Ridge Tagaytay and Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila.

This time, artist-mothers take centerstage in an exhibit organized by Valerie Teng and Mylene Quito.

“Artablado is the perfect venue to celebrate the diverse experiences and contributions of mothers through art… Artablado also plays a crucial role in artistic growth. It makes art accessible to the public and helps artists reach a wider audience, encouraging them to continue creating art,” they said.

“Woman I Am” is a celebration of a woman’s strength in art. “It tackles a woman’s resilience and power through her artistic expressions amidst her multifaceted roles in society. Each artwork serves as a testament to her profound strength as she balances motherhood, professional endeavors and personal aspirations.”

Teng, Quito and 16 other women showcase their artistic prowess in the exhibit.

Teng said, “This all-women show is dedicated to moms and all participants are mothers with different backgrounds and professions—housewives, designers, full-time artists, lawyers.”

“They have different art styles and interpret their creativity in different ways,” added Quito, an artist, entrepreneur and mom of three, who held her solo exhibit art “Portraits and Patterns of Unconditional Love” in ARTablado Robinsons Galleria in 2022.

Another featured artist is RC Manrique-Santos, a visual artist and mom of three whose passion to paint was rekindled during the pandemic. She previously had a month-long solo exhibit at ARTablado Robinsons Galleria called “Spes in Cruce.”

Other artists who are part of the “Woman I Am” exhibit include Bing Famoso, a painter, portraitist, natural history illustrator, ceramicist, art educator, licensed teacher; Giselle Besana, who finds inspiration in women of all forms and the stories they have to tell; Isah Rodillo, who fell in love with pyrography and now works with acrylic paints; Marie Ann Paredes who does animation and digital art but calls painting her first true love; Maida Simbahan, whose daughter inspired her to pursue her passion for art; Heidi Pataueg-Fernando, a visual artist, art restorer and a former nurse; Shai Lirio, a self-taught artist who hopes to give people a feeling of optimism with her art; Rachel Barbosa Salva, a mother, wife, artist and lawyer; Gretchen Taruc, a self-taught artist from Pampanga; Z Cabangon, a mom of three and former embassy employee who started painting again during the pandemic; Rowena Maac, an artist who grew up in Masbate; Ann Gatdula, a special needs parent who hopes to spark hope in the hearts of others with her art; Tei Leonardo, a lawyer, up-and-coming post-modern visual artist, devoted wife to Erick and mother to RC; Jaymee Liz, a visual artist, certified art therapy life coach, events host and makeup and special effects prosthetics artist for film and television; and Catherine Ponteres De Guzman, who has worked in garment manufacturing and textile design and who enjoys hand-painting fabric, creating fashion accessories, and paintings on canvas.

Teng said, “Motherhood can influence an artist’s journey in so many ways. It connects us to our art through our emotions, sensitivity, empathy and a deeper understanding of human connections, making our art more relatable and authentic.”

“Woman I Am” runs at ARTablado Robinsons Galleria until May 15.

May 10, 2024