Behind the unprecedented venture are Noli and Agnes Romero of Studio 24 and Joselito "Toots" Tolentino, well-known publicist-writer who has long been co-producing art exhibits in New York. For the Artspace preview, graphic designer Mark Inducil covered the entire facade with over-run sheets of the souvenir brochure which was prepared by Justino M. Dormiendo and photographed by Jay Javier. At exactly 6:30 pm, VIP’s each took turns in cutting the whole paper wall to loud applause.
Appreciative guests included National Artist Napoleon Abueva, Gina Yupangco, Babot Aspiras Oreta, Maurice Arcache, Randy Ortiz, Eric Pe Benito, Joey Yupangco, Ophie Manalac and daughters Peaches and Apples Aberin-Sadhawani, Jackie Aquino, Larrie Silva, Jack Garcia, Mario Reyes, the one and only Gilbert Perez, New Yorkers Nelson and Jerry Katigbak.
The floral decor crafted by Doltz Pilar was stunning. How generous of Cristy Aspiras and Miam Balangit to have handed out complimentary copies of imported magazines!
It was a field day for autograph "hunters" at the launching of the handsome tome "Homage to the Masters" which was jointly hosted by the Manila Met headed by Ino M. Manalo and the Artlink Group headed by Eddie Chua. Credit goes to Anna P. Labrador for the text of "Homage".
Autograph seekers eagerly trailed the masters. I was able to get the signatures of two national artists–Billy Abueva and Arturo Luz–and of Manny Baldemor, Romulo Galicano, Danny Dolor, Antonio Austria and Philip Victor. As a seasoned journalist turned into an adolescent fan overnight, I wasn’t very lucky–or aggressive, was I? Among other masters being trailed were Rod Paras-Perez, Gabby Barredo, Fil de la Cruz, sym, Ed Wilwayco, Nes Vinluan and Amor Lammaroza. The late Manansala and Fernando Zobel are in the book; so is Paris-based Sanso. The ceremonies, led by Lirio Salvador, also paid homage to national artist Jose Maceda by playing his music for six experimental instruments.