Spotlight on Art Fair Philippines

The Philippine art scene is continuously flourishing and it is evident with the success of the recent Art Fair Philippines 2015 held at the sixth and seventh floor of The Link car park of Ayala Center in Makati City.

 Last year, a record 10,000 people trooped to the venue of the country’s showcase of modern and contemporary art. “The most important component for us is that we increase our audience each year as we go forward,” said Lisa Ongpin-Periquet, the Art Fair Philippines co-founder, together with Trickie Lopa and Dindin Araneta.

Art Fair Philippines 2015, organized by Philippine Art Events Inc., expanded its portfolio of participating galleries and boosted its special exhibitions and art talks. For four days, about 4,400-sq.-m. space of The Link was devoted to the ingenuity, intricacy and creativity of Filipino modern and contemporary artists.

Among the well anticipated special exhibits was Roberto Feleo’s Tao-tao ng Aklasang Basi-Ang Mga Hanay ng ñ, an installation of lacquer over acrylic on sawdust and eggshells mixed over paper on aluminum expander. Feleo, professor and mentor to a generation of artists, took over the central exhibit space at the sixth level to debut a powerful installation piece composed of life-sized figures that contemplate the Basi revolt.

In consultation with Dr. Patrick Flores, curator of the Philippine Pavilion to the 56th Venice Biennale, a portion of the car park’s seventh level highlighted pieces especially made for the fair by Poklong Anading (Road to Mountains made from recycled tires), Annie Cabigting (oil on canvas collection called Moma), Buen Calubayan (Biowork: Mount Banahaw oil on canvas and installation), Mariano Ching and Yasmin Sison teamed up for the installation and wall works that comprise Turtles All The Way Down. Other artists who also presented their works were Kawayan de Guia with his Remains made from fiberglass, resin and 35-mm. celluloid film, Tad Ermitano and his interactive video work Eye of the Storm, Alfredo Esquillo Jr. with his oil on piña paintings collectively known as Kaloob-looban, Geraldine Javier and her Let’s Talk About Art and Maria Taniguchi with Studies for Walden Five.

Of the 33 participating exhibitors, eight were from overseas. This proves the growing interest among Southeast Asian neighbors in modern and contemporary art and the country’s leading platform for it, Art Fair Philippines. Joining the Art Fair in designing the layout of the exhibition space were Kenneth Cobonpue and his team. Cocktails were served through partners Kai Restaurant, The Straits Wine Company and Coca-Cola.

If you’re like one of the hundreds of other art lovers getting Art Fair withdrawal symptoms, do not worry. Art in the Park, the affordable Art Fair, is coming on March 22 done by the same group!

Art Fair Philippines 2015 was co-presented by Ayala Corp., Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe Telecom, Volkswagen and Bench. Among its media partners were The Philippine STAR and Pipeline.

(For more information, visit www.artfairphilippines.com and www.facebook.com/artfairph or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected] or call 831-0953.) Yaman moments

The undeniable energy and excitement brought by the annual Sinulog Festival, one of the grandest and most colorful celebrations in the country, made way for Olx Philippines, one of the country’s leading buy and sell websites, to welcome 2015 with a multitude of revelers in Cebu.

Spearheading a series of fun activities in major event venues, the Olx team made sure that everyone has “yaman moments” to cherish. All throughout the weeklong celebration, the Olx photo booth at Fuente Osmeña Circle was open to locals and foreign tourists. Visitors had their photos taken for free and were given premium Olx items that they could use while sightseeing such as whistles, fans, visors, caps, shirts and umbrellas.

Brand ambassador Jewel Villaflores serenaded festival revelers at Fuente Park with her live rendition of the Yesss, Yaman! jingle. It was followed by a contest a la Singing Bee where contestants have to guess the missing lyrics of the Yaman jingle. Jewel also performed the Olx song and her popular song Duyog at the ABS-CBN Kapamilya Karavan.

The company also took part in the grand Sinulog parade. The company’s float featured a house with the figure of the Sto. Niño in the center. The holy figure was surrounded by different photos of families and friends. The float represented the typical God-centered Filipino family and community, with photos collectively called “Yaman Moments.” 

Olx marketing manager for Cebu Regina Aguilar said, “The company encourages everyone to discover and cherish the yaman we have at home, not just material possessions but also the priceless Yaman Moments we enjoy with family and friends.”

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)