The shapes of selflessness

MANILA, Philippines - Artists are not just concerned with absolute form and negative space. They care about the community as much as the rest of us.

Some of the country’s top sculptors are part of an exhibit, which will be held tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the Grand Ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati.

The one-day exhibit-sale organized by the Rotary Club of Makati West (RCMW) aims to raise funds for the club’s various community-outreach projects such as the Gift of Life Program which provides free heart surgery for indigent children, the Gawad Kalinga project to build homes for the homeless, the Hemangioma Treatment Program for the needy, and the Artificial Limbs Project for poor people in need of prosthesis.

The artists who have agreed to make their art pieces available to the club for the “Alay Sining 2” exhibit-sale are Napoleon Abueva, Adel Agubang, Fred Baldemor, Wilson Baldemor, Michael Cacnio, Lor Calma, Eduardo Castrillo, Valeria Cavestany, Seb Chua, Kylo Chua, Joe Datuin, Daniel dela Cruz, Merlito Gepte, Juan Sajid Imao, Tito Obor, Ramon Orlina, Carlito Ortega, Glennd Pagaduan, Dr. Ton Raymundo, Ronel Roces, Mai Saporsantos, Rinald Sotto, Francisco Verano and Jun Vicaldo.

A sculpture show for the less fortunate? It is quite fitting since the theme for this year, according to Rotary Club West president Fernando Pena, is “It’s in your hands.” 

He expounds, “This project, (featuring) sculptures and art pieces, shows how we in the community can use our hands and our talent to help each other.”

Fifteen years ago, the Rotary created the “Likhang Sining” on-the-spot painting contest for high school students as the cultural endeavor of the club. When the club started “Alay Sining” two years ago, the artists (people who’ve already made it in the art scene) became the focus.

“In our discussions, we (came up with the goal) to help the more talented, (and not just) the less fortunate. Filipinos are really talented in the arts — not just in boxing. That this is why this project came to be. ”   

Ildefonso (Chitong) Santos, RCMW past president and chairman of the RCMW Culture Committee, said that the club wants “to highlight the vitality and dynamism of Philippine sculpture as exemplified by both the established artists as well as the up-and-coming ones.”

Carmelino Alvendia says that they are focusing on sculptures to make the art-form more accessible to Filipinos. He reiterates, “We think (Filipino) sculptors deserve more attention than they are getting. Secondly, we also like to pay tribute to the sculptors themselves because they are giving part of their proceeds (to charity), which is very laudable. Our club has always been geared to support the arts and the talented.”

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The cocktails of “Alay Sining 2” — with sponsors that include Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the Siguon Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako Law Offices and Perceptions Inc. — will be held tomorrow, 6 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati. Leading opera artists Karla Gutierrez and Frankie Aseniero.

For information, call 753-3098 and 753-3474, fax 845-1655, e-mail rcmw@ gmail.com, or visit www.rotarymakatiwest.org.