Carlos 'Botong' Francisco's 'The Pageant of Commerce' gets freshly scrubbed

Freshly scrubbed
By Walter Ang
June-August 2009 issue
Metro Home and Entertaining Magazine

Detail from "Pageant of Commerce."
Via Retrato.com.ph

Twelve feet high and 24 feet across, Carlos Francisco's "The Pageant of Commerce" provides a dramatic panorama for visitors to one of the lobbies of the Eugenio Lopez, Jr. Building. Known also as "Pag-iimpok" or "Thrift," this oil on canvas created in 1956 is on loan from the Lopez Memorial Museum and was mounted at its current location in 2000.

The painter, popularly known as Botong, was a muralist from Angono, Rizal and was one of the first Filipino modernists along with Galo Ocampo and Victorio C. Edades who broke away from Fernando Amorsolo's romanticism of Philippine scenes. He was declared a National Artist for Visual Arts posthumously in 1973.

Commissioned by the Ramon Cojuangco family, the mural was intended for the Bank of Commerce and was initially displayed at the bank's Sta. Ana branch. In the mid 70s, the family had the mural put up for sale and it passed through several collections before it was acquired by the Lopez Memorial Museum in 1996.

The museum ensures the safety of its pieces, even works on loan. "For example, when the museum lent works to a museum in Spain, we called them to find out the climate there so we could start acclimatizing the works to their temperature and humidity, even before the works were boarded onto the plane," says Maita Maronilla - Reyes, the museum's consultant for art conservation.

The Botong mural is checked every quarter. "Aside from the lighting, humidity and temperature, we do visual inspections of the work itself to check for dirt and molds," she says. The mural had its last major cleaning in 2003 and in a recent check earlier this year, Reyes noted that it was time for another cleaning.

A chemist conservator who specializes in the "security, safety and survival" of art works, Reyes trained at the Facultad De Bellas Artes of the Unibersidad Complutense de Madrid and at the International Center of Conservation in Italy.

A five-person team rotating in shifts of three was formed to execute the meticulous cleaning. The mural was divided into a grid of 12 inch squares from a total of 288 square feet, and the staff had to thoroughly go through each square to remove surface dirt as well as treat it for molds and accretions (secretions and excretions left by insects). "Once the cleaning is completed, an ultraviolet-stable matte varnish is applied to protect the mural from the degrading effects of light," she adds.

"Not many people know this, but to attend to the needs of private owners and collectors, the museum provides conservation and restoration services through the Roberto M. Lopez Conservation Center," she says. "The goal of conservation is really to stabilize works of art. Our work involves preventing and arresting deterioration caused by natural and human-related disasters."

For details, call the Lopez Memorial Museum at 631-2417 or email pezseum@skyinet.net.

Homebuying as easy as plug-and-play at Ayala Westgrove Heights

Homebuying as easy as plug-and-play
By Walter Ang
June-August 2009 issue
Metro Home and Entertaining Magazine

With its Mediterranean-inspired homes, Ayala Westgrove Heights is situated amidst the rolling hills of Sta. Rosa, Laguna. This 400-hectare residential community features panoramic views of Mt. Makiling, Tagaytay Ridge, and Laguna Bay, providing homeowners with lush scenery in every turn.

Immersion in nature is a major component. The development includes a six-hectare park with man-made fishing lagoons and a 26-hectare orchard park filled with mango trees. It's less than an hour drive from Makati and accessible through the expansion of the South Luzon Expressway through three exits: Mamplasan, Sta. Rosa, and Malitlit.

Young families will appreciate Westgrove Heights' proximity to schools such as St. Scholastica-Westgrove, De La Salle Canlubang and Don Bosco School; retail centers such as Paseo de Santa Rosa and Alabang Town Center; and the currently in construction St. Benedict-Westgrove Church.

The major highlight for Ayala Westgrove Heights is The Crestwood, an exclusive phase offering house-and-lot packages (a first for developer Ayala Land Premier) featuring a selection of limited-edition designs by architect Conrad Onglao.

The idea here is "plug-and-play," where homeowners choose a lot first and then they select a house model to "plug" into the lot. Buyers of these homes won't have to go through the hassles of dealing with contractors, getting permits, looking for suppliers, and deciding on finishes. Ayala Land Premier will oversee the entire process for them. "It's like having your own house built without having to pay for the services of an architect or engineer," Onglao says.

Onglao has created three house models to choose from: Cypress is the basic model with 300sqm. Laurel has 350sqm. and features a balcony. Olive includes a lanai in its 400sqm. Both Olive and Laurel have additional service kitchen areas.

Foremost in Onglao's designs is the sense of height and space. "The common features for all three models are the double volume living room and the maximized space, with ceilings at almost ten feet high," Onglao says. "The windows are designed so that when you're lying in bed, you can appreciate the view." Almost every single wall has windows that allow as much light in as possible and for cross ventilation.

"Of course, the windows provide wonderful views. The only perimeter walls for the lots are in a corner where the laundry area is located," says Onglao. The Crestwood is planned around an 8,000-sqm. park and buyers of parkside lots will have the luxury of having their backyards extend into the park, further adding a sense of expanse. Of course, there are other options for lot locations such as those that face the rising sun or lots that are more secluded.

No matter the location, all the Crestwood homes will have interior finishes that include engineered oak wood flooring, tempered clear glass panelling, and travertine granite countertops for bathrooms. Exterior materials use concrete roof tiles and stone-clad accent walls. All homes have underground termite control systems and three-drain systems to prevent clogs.

Home buyers needn't worry about a potential cookie-cutter look for their home. Personalization is a key element of the process. "We made sure that every house would be markedly different from the other in terms of space planning," says Onglao. "They'll also have the option for structural or architectural extensions, façade coloring and cladding, and landscaping, all done to their specifications."

For inquiries on Ayala Westgrove Heights, call 848-5000, email ask@ayalalandpremier.com or visit www.ayalalandpremier.com. Model houses are available for viewing onsite.

Looking for Juan artwork exhibition 2009

Looking for Juan
By Walter Ang
May 18, 2009
Philippine Daily Inquirer

"What Does It Mean to Be Filipino?" is a question contemplated by Gigo Alampay, executive director of the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (Canvas).

Having lived abroad for a number of years, he said, "Without judgment, Americans find it easy to say who they are. Here in our country, it's sometimes easier to answer 'What is a Batangueño, or what is an Ilocano?' than it is to answer `What is a Filipino?' There may be some stereotypes for regional identities, but at least there are characteristic identifiers. However, as a nation, sometimes it's not easy to figure out who we are."

He added, "There's a notion that our lack of national identity may be one of the reasons why some people feel the Philippines has not really lived up to its full potential."

To get people thinking about possible answers, Alampay founded Canvas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of greater awareness and appreciation for Philippine art, culture and the environment through art exhibitions designed to explore issues of national identity, environment and free expression.

Canvas' latest endeavor is the "Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Project," an exhibition of artworks by some of the best contemporary Filipino artists who attempt to provide visual answers to the discussion.

Public engagement
"The project aims to collect at least a hundred artworks that will be reproduced as tarpaulin banners that will then be displayed in two highly accessible and pedestrian-friendly venues," said Alampay.

"The Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Project will showcase some of the country's best creative talents. Artists, graphic designers and photographers have been asked to express their idea of the Filipino identity," he said. "The project is designed to engage visitors with its art-driven messaging about the Filipino identity. It will be a new kind of experience that allows visitors to view and appreciate great art as well as explore important social themes in a non-intimidating, relaxed, and creative environment."

The first forty to fifty original works that will be reproduced as banners were launched at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in an intimate ceremony led by Alampay. The artworks will be on display until June 7. This original artwork exhibit will transfer to the Alab Art Space gallery (Intellectual Property Philippines Building along Buendia St., Makati) on June 8.

Meanwhile, the first outdoor banner exhibit will be at the end of May at the new Philippine Pacific Rim Friendship Park in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The second will be in June at the University of the Philippines' Academic Oval in Diliman. "Just in time for opening of classes and Independence Day," he added.

Park for all
Canvas has been actively involved with The Pacific Rim Project to build a Friendship Park in Puerto Princesa. Architecture and art students from different countries like China, South Korea, the United States, Russia, and Mexico were flown in earlier this month to interact with counterpart Filipino students. These volunteers will design, present to the city government, and actually build the whole park under the artistic supervision of leading artists, architects and urban planners in just 30 days.

After the park is completed, it is given as a gift to the citizens of the Pacific and to the host city. All parks are for the public and are directly connected to the Pacific Ocean. The park will then become part of a network of Friendship Parks ringing the Pacific. There are already four parks in US, Russia, China and Mexico.

To date, participants in the Looking For Juan Outdoor Banner Exhibit include Buen Abrigo, Leonard Aguinaldo, Daniel Aligaen, Mark Arcamo, Ral Arogante, Anton Balao, Jeho Bitangcor, Plet Bolipata, Malyn Bonayog, Elmer Borlongan, Serj Bumatay, Michael Cacnio, Buen Calubayan, Jef Carnay, Marika Constantino, Dansoy Coquilla, Jigger Cruz, Don Dalmacio, Crisanto De Leon, Maan De Loyola, Farley del Rosario, Anthony Fermin, Tina Fernandez, Karen Flores, Liza Flores, Emmanuel Garibay, Sajid Imao, Agang Maganda, Josue Mangrobang, Lotsu Manes, Roel Obemio, Jay Pacena II, Anthony Palo, Anthony Palomo, Marcial Pontillas, Jucar Raquepo, Iggy Rodriguez, Kirby Roxas, Mark Salvatus, Julios Samson, Andoi Solon, Angelo Tabije, CJ Tanedo, Daniel Tayona, Juanito Torres, Wesley Valenzuela, Ian Valladarez, and Liv Vinluan.

Selected students from the UP College of Fine Arts, members of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan, various creative writers, as well as a number of graphic design and advertising studios are also involved.

After the end of the outdoor banner exhibits, the banners will be recycled by two women's communities in Antipolo and Laguna into tote bags and sold as original works of functional art. Proceeds from the sale of the tote bags will support Padyak, a U.P. Mountaineers-led movement to promote environmentalism and cycling as a healthy lifestyle.

For details, visit lookingforjuan.blogspot.com or www.canvas.ph.

Also published online:
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090517-205534/Looking-for-the-Filipino-soul

Vagina Monologues for men

Vagina Monologues for men
By Walter Ang
May 18, 2009
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Back: Valdes, Wilson.
Front: Abuel, Williams.

As part of its fifteenth anniversary, New Voice Company is giving audiences a twist on one of the productions it is most known for.

Eve Ensler's seminal "The Vagina Monologues," a collection of monologues read by a varying number of women, has been a staple in the company's repertoire for several years now, having been shown in both English and Filipino as well as toured in different Asian countries.

In 2003, Ensler decided to include men in her annual "V-Day" benefit shows (a global movement to end violence against women and girls) by raising the question of addressing the problem of violence against women by involving men in the understanding and solution process.

"In Manila, NVC conducted a series of workshops and interviews with different men that resulted in a short but highly acclaimed segment of the "VDay" show at the AFP Theater that year," said associate artistic director Rito Asilo.

Asilo and actor Jamie Wilson have gone on to expand the material and have created "The Male Voice," a collection of monologues and vignettes that deal with men's experiences with violence.

Violence
Actors Tommy Abuel, Michael Williams, Joel Trinidad and Joaqui Valdes are the intergenerational cast for "The Male Voice." Williams said, "We've been tasked to convey and portray the different kinds of violence committed by and on men. The play sheds light on many things about `being a man' that we take for granted. It tackles how men, not just women and children, can be victims of violence, too."

Abuel noted that the play doesn't only explore physical violence, but also emotional violence and the idea that men can be victims of society's notions of how men should behave. "Society imposes an image and it can be difficult to sustain that image if a man experiences pain. There are expectations to be macho and how men aren't supposed to cry. The play deals with these issues and the shame and secrecy that sometimes accompany these situations."

Despite the cast's initial descriptions of the production's central theme, they are quick to point out that it won't be all doom and gloom. "There is drama, yes. But the stories that audiences will see are also poignant and sometimes hilarious," said Asilo.

True-to-life
All of the monologues are true-to-life and based on interviews with actual people: artists, students, men who are HIV positive, priests, gay and straight men, illegal Filipino workers abroad, macho dancers, businessmen, male prostitutes, military men, abused children, doctors, fathers and brothers. "The play is an honest, provoking and moving introspection of the rarely spoken issues of men," said Asilo. "It provides audiences with a unique and revealing perspective."

To keep the production "relevant to the Pinoy situation," Asilo has opted to use English and Filipino since "that's the way we really talk anyway." Valdes admitted that even though he's not used to speaking in Tagalog, he's up for the challenge.

He said, "Not only do I have to speak Tagalog, but the context is provincial. I'm more used to being cast in English-language musicals, but as an actor and artist, these are the opportunities that I want and need to grow."

Valdes, the youngest in the cast, revels in the fact that he has been cast together with seasoned and accomplished actors and that he's been able to pick up acting techniques from them. Williams said, "We don't necessarily coach each other since we have our director for that, but we sit down and talk about each other's monologues to get insights. We all want to be able to deliver the truth behind the lines."

Produced by NVC Executive Director Rossana Abueva and NVC Artistic Director Monique Wilson, "The Male Voice" runs on May 22, 23 and 31 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Call 896-5497 or email nvc@pldtdsl.net.

Also published online:
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090517-205533/Vagina-Monologues-for-men