Connecting Gaps

Studio 1616 artists Kiko Urquiola and Gian Miroe recently presented their works in a two-man show called Connecting Gaps at Art Verite in Taguig City.

The exhibition became sort of a fateful reunion of two friends and an opportunity for them to catch up, with stories painted as images on canvas. Their works show the everyday lives of the artists in their individual studios (Miroe is in Pasay, while Urquiola is in Bulacan).

Miroe presented realistic paintings of his studio and dark-skinned characters that emphasized contrast, or a sense of divide. Urquiola presented a series of realistic paintings that showed four tableaux of objects connoting  four aspects of his art making — carpentry, stretching and priming canvas, and painting. He threw in the surreal in Impermanence 1-4 where he depicted moments during his free time, like watching TV, with his dog, or with coffee or his phone.

Kiko Urquiola studied Fine Arts, Major in Advertising at the Technological University of the Philippines in 2015. He has participated in many exhibitions in venues like the UP Vargas Museum and Pinto Art Museum, Boston Gallery and SecretFresh Gallery. His works were noted in art competitions like Philippine National Oil Company Calendar Competition in 2013 and Metrobank Art and Design Excellence 2017. In 2015, he won third prize at the UST Annual Interschool On-the-spot Painting Competition and was a finalist at the 2013 National Shell Art Competition.

Gian Miroe also received his Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Major in Advertising from the Technological University of the Philippines in 2015. He was a finalist at the 2015 National Shell Art Competition and his works have received attention in competitions like the Philippine National Oil Company Calendar Competition in 2013, UST Annual Interschool On-the-spot Painting Competition in 2015 and Metrobank Art and Design Excellence 2015. He also joined in numerous group exhibitions in galleries such as Art Cube Gallery and West Gallery, and museums like UP Vargas Museum and Pinto Art Museum.

(From left) SM SVP for marketing Millie Dizon, Japan Foundation director Uesugi Hiroaki, Sinag Arts Foundation’s Joy Rago and S Maison mall manager Grace Mindanao at the foot of the Japanese-style bridge at the Discover Japan launch. Japanese bridges are known for their pure beauty, graceful curves and inspiration from the Zen spirit.

Time to discover Japan

A celebration of Japanese culture and art was had at a festival dubbed “Discover Japan at S Maison” recently.

A joint partnership between the Sinag Arts Foundation and SM, the festival celebrated the many years of friendship between the Philippines and Japan through an art exhibit, cultural performances and workshops at S Maison in Conrad Manila.

The six-day celebration included the exhibition of artworks by Manila-based Japanese artist Atsuko Yamagata, who hails from Sapporo, Hokkaido. She mainly uses ink and bond, as well as handmade paper of pineapple or banana fiber for her artworks.

The exhibition also highlighted the Awareness of Light: Handbook and Archives of Technical Theater in the Philippines, a book by Naomi “Shoko” Matsumoto. The tome highlights the Japanese viewpoint on the discipline of lighting design. The book also presents information about the full craft of theater-making.

The festival also included demonstrations of traditional Japanese crafts like furoshiki or the Japanese way of gift wrapping by Yoshiko Kitada; origami making by Mariko Okeda; and the art of ikebana flower by Marc Tomas of Ikebana International Manila.

Alice Dixson, Rich Ilustre and Ritz Azul.

Charity bowl birthday for Alice

Alice Dixson hit a strike at her recently concluded Alice Dixson Charity Bowl held at Paeng’s Eastwood Bowl in Quezon City.

Aimed to raise funds for the Kalipay Negrense Foundation, the event was sort of a post-birthday fundraising event for Alice who, through the years, has been supporting several charitable groups and foundations.

The birthday girl’s showbiz friends who came to support and have fun included Donita Rose, Teresa Loyzaga, Maila Gumila, Ara Mina, Tom Rodriguez, Ritz Azul, Elaine Quemuel, Ynez Veneracion and Edu Manzano.

The celebrity and non-celebrity players were divided to form 10 teams, which competed to get to the final round. The winners included Ara Mina, Teresa Loyzaga and Maila Gumila for the celebrities; and Josh Ablang (champion), Cesar Barranta Jr. (second place) and Renjie Santos (third place).

With the success of this endeavor, Alice looks forward to holding the second Charity Bowl by the first quarter of 2018.

(If you wish to donate to Kalipay Negrense, visit www.kalipaynegrensefoundation.org. The Alice Dixson Charity Bowl was supported by the Belo Medical Group, JMA Jewelry, Passion Max, Mags Clothing, Lifestyle Upgrade and Kilo Off.)

(From left) Sigrid Villamil Gates, Rachel Alejandro, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos and May Buenaventura Thurnherr.

Three Guys & a Grill

Craving for gourmet sausages?Three Guys and a Grill is the place to get them! It finally had its grand opening after weeks of perfecting its food during its soft opening.

In such a short time, Three Guys and a Grill made some 10 best lists of sausages/hotdogs. Aside from its branch in Poblacion, Makati City, it also opened a second branch at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City so people won’t have to go all the way to Makati for their  fix of delicious sausages!

This spot serves pork and beef sausages with homemade ketchup and mustard using local ingredients. These include the Posh Dog with truffle honey mustard and Thunder Dog with guava jelly mustard.

Build your perfect sausage with a bread of your choice (white, whole wheat, etc.) and toppings like sauerkraut, onions, cheese, etc. Its root vegetable chips are also a must-try.

This no-frills place is a great hang-out spot with friends, too!

(It is located at 4364 B. Valdez Street, Poblacion, Makati City and 4/F, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/3GuysGrill.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)