Figures and landscapes

CEBU, Philippines - Those who work  with their hands  are laborers.  Those who  work with their hands and heads are craftsmen. Those who work with their hands, and their heads, and their hearts are artists. And most of them are here in Cebu!

To see to it that this creative sector, which feels strongly for Cebu culture and heritage, would be further recognized as a powerful natural resource of our community, this year's One Cebu Expo at the Cebu International Convention Center welcomes the participation of the Portrait Artists Society of the Philippines, Inc.

For the first time, PASPI with its 50-member group joined the expo by opening an exhibit last August 7 emphasizing on "artistic integrity as the essential process of excellent portrait painting."

Among those pieces that attracted attention are the watercolor paintings of Billy Pormida on Cebu cityscape with all sorts of skyscrapers as well as comfort food item - the "puso" (some writers translate this as 'hanging rice' but I don't feel there is a proper English equivalent to rice grains poured into a casing made of woven young coconut fronds and then dipped in boiling water to cook, because Americans don't have that in their diet, right?); Chris Java's Fort San Pedro in resin; Marlowe Villagonzalo's Mountain View Park and Family Park in oil; Ramon de Dios' Tranquil Ga-as (Balamban) and Tranquil Tonggo, Mactan in oil; and Henrietta Hermoso's "Window from the Past" on mixed media relief highlighting a capiz window with a sturdy arch, handsomely crafted balusters, and a charming ventanilla.

This move is also to strengthen relationships between business and the arts that offer a real chance to achieve financial success in here.

Take it from Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey, a patron of the arts: At the heart of an offer for another regeneration plan, there should be arts and culture. Without it, we are not building rounded communities, but ignoring the fabric and soul of society.

"Figures and Landscapes" will run until August 13 (Monday).

Participating artists are as follows: Gabby Abellana, Darby Alcoseba, Artemio Anga Jr., Dondon Bayawa, Karby Beloy, Crispin Bovier, Boy Briones, Boboy Cañete, Felix Catarata, Drego Cavalida, Harry Co, Ramon de Dios, Adeste Deguilmo, Benz Flores, Pronnie de la Cerna, Efren Enolva, Audie Estrellada, Carly Florido, Bong Francisco, Luther Galicano, Romulo Galicano, Bobby Gonzales, Benji Goyha, Ber Hermoso, Jun Impas, Cris Java, Boy Kiamko, Henrietta Hermoso, Luis King, Elroy Managbanag, Rudy Mañero, Eli Manongas, Melver Mercado, Malvin Lim, Maxcel Migallos, Jess Najarro, Clint Normandia, Gigi Ocampo, Cocoy Paano, Jose Mari Picornell, Billy Pormida, Jess Rona, Ruel Rosello, Dong Tallo, Lito Torremucha, Antonio Vidal, Pepe Villadolid, Jobril Villaver, Marlowe Villagonzalo, Kimsoy Yap, Pempe Ybañez, Marlon Ylanan, and Sonia Yrastorza.