Julius holds another art auction, exhibit

On Dec. 19 at 5 p.m., Julius Babao and his artist friends will hold another art auction and exhibit called Art 2 Heart, a fund-raising for the benefit of Typhoon Ondoy victims at the Claudio Teehankee Foundation, Fourth Floor of the Ateneo Professional Schools in Rockwell, Makati.

Last year, Julius and his artist friends raised P2.5-M in ART 40, his birthday project that built 30 homes for 30 families in Bagong Silang Caloocan. This Christmas, Julius hopes to raise P3-M to build another Gawad Kalinga Village for Typhoon Ondoy victims. His wife, fellow broadcaster Tintin, who just launched her fifth children’s book titled  Si Kontra, Bida at Big Boy Buwaya  is seven months on the way with a baby boy and Julius just won his seventh Star Award as Best Newscaster. Julius is feeling all the blessings coming their way and Christmas is the perfect time to again, pay it forward.

We chatted with Julius about his Christmas project.

What made you decide to hold an art auction and exhibit again after ART 40?

After Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, people started calling me and asking how they can help. I got text messages from artist Geraldine Javier and businessman Jonathan Que, asking how they can help typhoon victims. Geraldine and Jonathan both suggested that we hold another art auction, similar to ART 40.Na-excite naman agad ako and started making calls to artists if they were willing to help contribute to a fund-raising for a Gawad Kalinga Village for typhoon victims. Just like ART 40, the response was very encouraging. Nag-meeting kami ng mga organizers ko na sina Lori Juvida, Atty. Joel Butuyan, Andy Estella, Tina Fernandez, Alex Tan, Ruel Caasi and Atty. Alex Rivera and we came up with this project.

A lot of organizations have been mounting fund-raising projects for the typhoon victims. What makes yours different?

It’s great that many organizations have been holding fund-raising for relief and food. But I believe that more than that we should also focus our attention on removing these people from danger areas and providing permanent relocation.

Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin pinaalis ng gobyerno ang mga biktima, hinayaan silang makabalik sa dati nilang mga delikadong mga tirahan dahil wala talagang maibigay na relokasyon sa kanila. Marami naman sa mga tao ayaw lumipat dahil ayaw malayo ng Maynila.

Gawad Kalinga has given us a location in Sitio Amparo Kalookan. If we are able to raise the money needed then we will be able to build a village there which will benefit 30 families.

It’s also the only auction this year where famous contemporary artists contribute their major works for charity. I was overwhelmed when I got the nod from famous artists like Ronald Ventura, Elmer Borlongan, Geraldine Javier, Mark Justiniani, Yasmin Sison, Afredo Esquillo, Gabby Barredo, Winner Jumalon, Ramon Orlina, Wire Tuazon and many more. These guys are doing very well abroad and it’s really amazing that they are joining our project.

Why did you decide to call it Art 2 Heart?

We have proven that the art community can make a difference in the lives of Filipinos. We did that in Art 40. I got that idea from artist Plet Bolipata-Borlongan. She suggested that we name the auction Art 2 Heart because the cause is very close to our hearts.

I asked my friend Ric Gindap to design the logo and invitation and it came out really great.

Who are the artists that will be participating in your auction/ exhibit?

Manny Garibay, Lynyrd Paras, Mark Andy Garcia, Ramon Orlina, Gabby Barredo, Ang Kiukok, Mark Justiniani, Joy Mallari, Andres Barrioquinto, Geraldine Javier, Luis Lorenzana, John Jaylo, Lirio Salvador, CJ Tañedo, Marina Cruz, Rodel Tapaya, Pam-Yan Santos, John Santos, Yasmin Sison, Mariano Ching, Jonathan Ching, Winner Jumalon, Tatong Torres, Alex Roxas, Froilan Calayag, Roma Valles, Sandra Gfeller, Dina Gadia, Ronald Ventura, Tina Fernandez, Joel Alonday, Wire Tuazon, Keiye Miranda, Elmer Borlongan, Plet Bolipata, Joven Mansit, Jaypee Samson, Ferdie Montemayor, Marcel Antonio, John Paul Antido. Guerrero Habulan, Igan d’Bayan, Alfredo Esquillo, Anthony Palomo, Alfredo Villaruel, Costantino Zicarelli, Andoi Solon, Kiko Escora and Frederick Sausa.

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