Casa San Miguel celebrates the art and legacy of Don Salubayba

MANILA, Philippines - Casa San Miguel’s 22nd Season of the Pundaquit Festivals celebrates the art and legacy of Filipino artist Don Maralit Salubayba on Nov. 22, 3 p.m. at Casa San Miguel in Zambales.

Salubayba attended the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) before graduating from the UP College of Fine Arts in 2000. He was the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including an Asian Cultural Council grant to participate in a residency program at the Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito, California, and at the International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP) in New York City in 2004-2005, special Jury Prize Award and Voice Award at the Singapore Short Film Festival held at the Substation Art Center in Singapore for his animation piece, “A Not So Giant Story” in 2006, the CCP Thirteen Artists Award in 2009 and awarded numerous grants.

Salubayba began his residency at Casa San Miguel fresh out of High School and spent seven years teaching arts and shadowplay to the local youth, mentoring many students who would themselves later follow in his footsteps. He was also a co-founder of the Anino Shadowplay Collective, with performances in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Salubayba taught at the Ayala Museum and was on the faculty of the Philippine High School for the Arts and the Beacon School.

“Song” by Don Salubayba

On Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Mass will be held at 3 p.m. prior to the blessing and opening of the Don Salubayba Gallery for Community Artists with “Who Are The People In Your Neighborhood,” featuring Salubayba mentee Brendale Tadeo, who just graduated from the Philippine Women’s University. Tadeo has held numerous solo exhibits at leading art galleries, including Alliance Francaise and Nova Gallery. He was featured by Rogue magazine in 2010.

At 4 p.m., Don Salubayba’s memorial exhibit titled “A Storyteller’s Imaginarium” opens at the Anita Magsaysay-Ho Gallery, featuring the artist’s works spanning 15 years, with focus on the works done during his seven-year residency at Casa San Miguel. The show runs until Jan. 31, 2015.

The celebration and tribute culminate at 6 p.m. with Intima-Sea featuring the Anino Shadowplay Collective, a group co-founded and championed by Salubayba, which will be company-in-residence at Casa San Miguel prior to their performance in December at the Yogyakarta Puppetry Festival. The members will be interacting with the local community during their residency  through workshops as well as an informal performance “by the sea.”

The Don M. Salubayba Gallery for Community Artists will feature another Salubayba mentee, Rolf Campos in March 2015 with “Family Emergency Upbringing” and in April 2015 with “Kamay Yaman” featuring local woodworkers/sculptors Gilbert dela Cruz, Alan Arandilla and Rogie Navilla.

The 22nd Season of the Pundaquit Festivals is made possible by Starbucks Philippines, in cooperation with the Ayala Museum, Lyric Piano Corporation and the Anita Magsaysay-Ho Foundation. Tickets are priced at P200 with refreshments.

For information, call or SMS 0917-8382752.