I'm so excited for this Saturday. Two of my favorite young artists are having their exhibit at Heima, Cubao X. I need to prepare some creative questions to bug them with on their big night. In the meantime, here's a moody video to get you into the, "Hello Sailor" mind space.
In collaboration with Heima, Soleil Ignacio and Tokwa Penaflorida's two-man show entitled, “Hello Sailor”, is an exhibit of watercolor works on paper. The artworks revolve around representations of water-dwelling creatures—mermaids, sirens, water nymphs with flowing locks amongst lithe bodies, and gazes that are transformed and transfixing—all paradoxical depictions of agelessness and beauty. Revisiting old tales of desire and seduction, dreams of the conquests of men at sea, their inevitable longing for temptresses are delicately captured in these pallid and frail wraiths.
See you at: Hello Sailor exhibit launch featuring Thursday Room's Soleil Ignacio and Tokwa Penaflorida is on Saturday, April 14, 2012, 8PM at Heima Cubao X
I am not a fashion blogger, but somehow, I'm always fashionably late. Here I am posting about an event that happened 3 weeks ago. But I just can't not recap my Platform experience. It was such a treat to culminate the Postura Project's 30-day challenge at Manila's first youth culture convention.
We unveiled our Postura Project video. Here we are looking like pros (but being completely unprepared) for our onstage interview by Sarah, a Postura Project initiator herself.
Here I am with the project's biggest supporter. Marlo Ongpin along with MLH created the video and the website for us.
This is Soleil Ignacio's wall. Seeing it blown up to 9 feet tall was impressive.
I got this from one of the albums at the Platform page. Such a pretty girl and her dress suits this Postura Photo wall so well. I hope she doesn't mind that I reposted it.
The artist and his creation. Tokwa Penaflorida posing in front of his Manghahabi.
I keep saying how the vibe at Platform was great. I've never been to a party bazaar before but there's so much to do. I found myself just wanting to sit down and take it all in. Of course, I didn't get to because I had to shop. Got myself new kicks and a set of lovely earrings.
While I was there, people were already asking when the next Platform event was going to be and here are some reasons why I think it should be sooner rather than later.
1. Platform is a great avenue for creative entrepreneurs to mingle and get to know others.
2. Although, I discovered a lot of amazing new brands, I know there are tons more that need the limelight.
3. It's so much fun. With that, I rest my case.
I wasn't able to take a lot of photos during the event- just so overwhelmed with talking to people and gearing up for the interviews. It made me a bit sad because I wanted to feature the photo walls that the artists worked so hard on. So, I was so thankful to have found others who so diligently snapped great shots.
This Sunday is kind of a big deal for the Postura Project because it marks the end of our 30 day challenge. We'd really love for everyone to join us at the Platform event. Here, we will be presenting the very talents we're trying to promote through the project. Click here for the details.
So if you're wondering, what there is to do at Platform...
Here are my suggestions in an easy-to-follow instructional format.
1. Wear something Filipino and head over to Ronac Art Center in Greenhills.
2. Be there at 2pm for the unveiling of the Postura Project video. Wheee!
3. Take a break. Go to the loo. Get a drink or two.
4. Have your photo taken on the art wall. Then post it on the Postura FB page. Best photos win goodies!
5. If you see me around, approach me! Say, "HI!". I'd love to hear your thought/ ideas on the Postura Project. Although some people say I look snobbish, I assure you, it's because I'M BLIND. Well, I have astigmatism which I am curing by using, the Secret. It has yet to work so bear with a slightly squinty me.
6. Have fun! Drink! Dance! Shop! Have fun! Drink! Dance! Shop! Have fun!
This is Manila's First Youth Culture Convention!
If you're interested in this event, then you are young,
and the future of the Philippines is ours to make ;)
Oh, here's a sneak peak at the wonderful Art and Photo Walls created to promote Postura. I'm still amazed and thankful at how many people just readily embraced the Postura Project, contributing their passions, their talent and most importantly their time! Here are just 5 of those individuals with their works.
An accomplished fashion illustrator, Soleil Ignacio created this work based on the duality of fashion and art.
My friends Sugar Perez and Monica Angeles made this flora and fauna inspired collage. These girls are the uber-talented design duo behind the banig logo for DOT's campaign, "It's more fun in the Philippines!"
This one is from Tokwa Penaflorida. A former adman turned full time artist, he also designed our web logo. This piece is a manghahabi, or a weaver. It's inspired by the Igorots and their tattoo tradition.
Last but not least is this maximalist illustration by Katrina Pallon. Two Maria Claras enveloped in full floral blooms. Love. Love. Love.
I cannot wait to see these works blown up and mounted for everyone to see!
If you're wondering what Platform is all about. I think the vision is just a space a time and a venue for young artists/ designers/ entrepreneurs to come together and jam. There's going to be shopping, music, and drinking. And, no crummy entrance free!
40 booths for young designers, a central blogger and guest lounge, a DJ booth and stage. Live music, art, and energy.
The Platform event becomes kilometer zero for the day as the country's youngest and most dynamic designers, creators, and entrepreneurs exercise their style, networking, sales, and marketing skills. The event aims to be the youth's first "grown up" culture convention, as well as an opportunity for the market to understand the scope of what kids today are capable of.
Dedicated to the expressive youth,
The Platform Show will be held on
SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2012 at
The Playground, Ronac Art Center, Ortigas Avenue
from 12nn-8pm.
Follow us on Twitter: @PlatformShowMNL
For the people who have been following the, http://www.posturaproject.com/, this is the culmination of our 30 days of Wearing Something Filipino. We'll be having an art wall for people to come and take photos. We'll also be premiering a short video to support the website.
So the blog is up! But our dream for this project is to go beyond the 4 of us. So, we'd like like to invite you (yes you!) to take part in our upcomingbloggers' challenge. The mechanics are simple:
STEP ONE: Wear something local, take a photo of your outfit, and blog about it.
oYou must be wearing at least ONE thing that’s locally made or designed. It can be your locally-made shoes, your necklace made from indigenous materials, or your shirt created by a young upcoming Pinoy graphic designer.
oBy this we mean local brands - whether big or small - as long as they’re not products imported/pre-ordered from HK/China/Korea, etc.
oIn the caption, identify the brand/s and provide their URL, if possible. You can also go the extra mile and write a bit more about the brand and what you love about it.
STEP TWO: Tweet us, or post it on our Facebook wall onMARCH 3, 2012, Saturday, 8PM(Philippine time).
oWe want everyone to post, tweet, or Facebook their #PosturaPH challenge entries at roughly around the same time, to magnify the energy of the call for fashionalism.
oOur Facebook page can be foundhere.
oTweet us with the hashtag: #PosturaPH
Thank you again for your time, and we look forward to more collaborations with you!
We can't wait to see how you incorporate wearable pride into your outfits! You can also invite your readers to participate in the challenge as well. For ideas, you can check out our previous entries onhttp://posturaproject.com
POSTURA PROJECT
Official Website || Like us on Facebook || Follow us on Tumblr || Twitter hashtag: #PosturaPH
Also a huge thank you to the Art Alera for the photos. We're also grateful to the Ayala Museum for letting us do our photo shoot their. Best and most progressive museum in the Philippines!
Despite living beside an MRT stop, I missed, "Rock the Riles" yesterday. I wish I could split myself into two sometimes. Instead of beating myself up for being busy (remember, busy is good), I'll just feel the vibe by watching this video collaboration to honor Rizal on his 150th year.
With the support of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the artists of ROCK ED PHILIPPINES got together to produce this song. Many many artists came together for this piece. The animated video was created by Arnold Arre. The song was composed by Francis de Veyra of RadioactiveSagoProject. Lyrics by Gang Badoy of Rock Ed. The song is part of Rock Ed's ROCK RIZAL album, a collection of songs in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Filipino hero Jose Rizal. *** Music composed by Francis De Veyra. Lyrics by Gang Badoy. The singing by Rock Ed musicians - Aia de Leon, Vin Dancel, Ebe Dancel, Kris Dancel, Noel Cabangon, Lourd de Veyra, Gloc 9, Raimund Marasigan, Kakoy Legaspi, Jay Gapasin, Juan Miguel Lerma, Arwin Naval, Wowee Pards and more. Produced by Shinji Tanaka and Mark Laccay.
Advertising serves as the carnival mirror for our society- poking fun at us while simultaneously making us laugh. These two commercials share a real insight at how we Pinoys go to great lengths to make more money.
Cebuana Lhullier Pera Padala Raket
Sarah selling longganisa is hilarious. I too dabbled in Lucban longganisa reselling.
McDonald's McSavers Dance This hits home because I work in advertising. I once was part of a pitch where we sang, “Don’t Stop Believing” to win back a disgruntled client.
These spots make us smile because it's true. But do we really just take on extra work because life is hard? Or do we have an innate need to bring home more than what’s expected? Take everyone’s hardest working boxer/ congressman/ host/ endorser/ recording artist/ husband/ and father.
Does Manny do it for the money?
After the controversial fight, he was going back to opis to do some work. Never has a champion boxer uttered those words. Go back to the opis?!? This is a guy whose net worth is estimated to be in $26 million to $70 million range. Does he really need to work or does he want to work?
Filipinos are Such Hard Workers
1.We Have Big Families-
Providing for the family is the driving force for a majority of our countrymen. When your family includes your 3 sons, their families, your out-of-work siblings, your mom and your dad, there is no choice but to take on more work.
2.The Concept of Sayang-
Pinoys don’t like anything going to waste. Having a party? Pack the leftovers. Bought a can of ice cream? Reuse the packaging. If the opportunity to make more money is there, are we not wired to make full use of it?
3.We’re a Rice Culture-
In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, “the Outliers”, he talks about how Asians are generally more hardworking than Europeans simply because we used to grow rice and they used to grow potatoes. We worked throughout the year to yield a harvest while Europeans worked seasonally then slept once winter came.
4.Multitasking is in Our Nature-
Just look around your village and see how many home business there are. A house is not just a home; it can also be a sari-sari store, a bakery, a dress shop, and an Internet cafe. So an actor can be a politician. A teacher can be in sales. And a copywriter can be a blogger. Again, sayang kasi.
Before you proceed to the Iza video, I just wanted to take the opportunity to post pics of the epic Esquire launch. It's a month-old but everyone from the guests, to the contributors, to the writers, to the artistas glammed it up big time. I can't not blog about it.
Wella and Budjette Tan, Marlo Ongpin, and Chris Costello
A great party and a momentous night for all but most especially for my boyfriend, Marlo, and our friend, Chris. They had their first taste of creating a girly video for a major Philippine magazine. This first month featured the lovely, Lovi Poe.
This month, they have one featuring the bubbly (and bouncy), Iza Calzado.
These boys have the best job in the world!
And for saying that, I'm expecting my boyfriend to get me this month's Esquire. Interestingly, it's a woman's issue. I'd love to see what the magazine, which claims to be for the man at his best, has to say about us girls.
Thanks to Brandie Tan for the great photos! (I need a camera that fits my purse.)
Why, to the beautiful beaches of Siquijor of course!
To experience an All Souls Weekend dedicated to experiencing the occult- a weekend of ghost hunting and possible interactions with aswang locals, in one of the most mystical islands in the Philippines!
I was very enthusiastic about all of that until friends started warning me with their stories of "kulam". Kulamis actually a Tagalog noun which literally means bewitchment or hex. If you irk a powerful mangkukulam (voodoo witch lady), a spell as trivial as a persistent itch and as bad as vomiting cockroaches can be cast on you . Horror writer, Yvette Tan, said that Siquijor was a lovely place but she came back with two of her fingers seemingly having a life of their own. She couldn't type properly for days. That definitely made me think twice about about ghost hunting. Also, I might just skip the town tour and stay in my comfy resort.
I researched on how to steer clear of trouble in spooky provinces, but I couldn't find anything useful. So I guess I'll just rely on the advice of my friends.
I personally don't want to commemorate the death of Eggy and Nika, though perhaps not thinking about it is the same as forgetting that it ever happened and that justice has yet to be served. The cold truth- 2 years have passed and still their killers have not been found. Recently, Eggy's family released a statement offering a1 million Peso reward for any information on the whearabouts of former household help, Criselda Gesman Dayag. I pray that she is found, if only to shed light on why this heinous crime was committed.
On a much lighter note, the .mov festival is on going in the metro. Organized by their good friend, Khavn dela Cruz, it is a touching tribute for two people who were passionate champions of films. I'm looking forward to seeing the films especially dedicated to them both.
4th .MOV International Film, Music, & Literature Festival
September 1 to 6, 2011
*Zero Degrees Of Separation*
*20 Singer-Songwriters*
*30 Filmmakers*
*150 Poets*
September 1, Thursday.1:30pm to 11pm. The Podium.
Premieres from Roy Andersson (Sweden), John Gianvito (USA), & Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand)
Silvershorts Finalists
DVD Launch “Cinema Is Love: Best of .MOV”
Opening Film: Tan Chui Mui’s “Year Without Summer” (Malaysia)
September 2, Friday. 6pm to 11pm. Ayala Museum.
Book Launch “Under The Storm: An Anthology Of Contemporary Philippine Poetry”
Featuring Bienvenido Lumbera, Gemino Abad, & Pete Lacaba
Live Music from Vigo, Radioactive Sago Project, & Corporate Lo-Fi
September 3, Saturday. 6pm to 11pm. Greenbelt 3 Park.
Album Launch “Songs From The End Of The World: Philippine Singer-Songwriters”
Featuring Ely Buendia, Vin Dancel, & Toi
Silvershorts Awarding
Setpember 4, Sunday. 1pm to 7pm. Mag:net Katipunan.
Free Film Workshops with Vanja Kaludjercic (Croatia), Joel Shepard (USA), & Chris Fujiwara (Japan)
September 2, 3, 5, & 6. 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, & 7pm. UP Film Center.
Films For Alexis & Nika
Premieres from Asia, Europe, & Latin America
Featuring Lav Diaz, Jose Luis Guerin (Spain), & Edwin (Indonesia)
I went to Secret Fresh over the weekend to talk about their upcoming exhibit at MANILART 2011. I got a first-hand introduction to art toys- displayable sculptures that take inspiration from more traditional art. Think a 3D form of a painting. I think it's definitely a form of artistry worth exploring. Here are some of the local toy art figures that caught my eye.
Bochog Manster by Nemo Aguila
Rizalborg by JP Cuison
Rainbow Bringer by Bjorn Calleja
Paley Pills by Christian Tamondong
I also got to meet some very cool people. From left to right: Toy maker Rommel Chua, Artist JP Cuison, Gallery manager Lena Cobangbang, Artist Christian Tamondong, Secret Fresh owner Big Boy Cheng, and Gallery assistant Robert Dim. Of course, that's me at the end. Thanks to Marlo Ongpin (not pictured) for all the awesome photos!
They gave me some complimentary tickets to MANILART but I was able to go to the gala event last night so I've decided to give them away. MANILART is happening now until Saturday. It's something special to do this long weekend, with a friend or with a special someone. Just leave a comment on the blog (not on FB please) to let me know why you'd like to go. Best answer by 12pm tomorrow (August 26) wins it!
I've been so caught up vacationing I've neglected to plug something that was sent to me a month back: the search for a new Rizal!
In history, we look at the significance of all the people who fought for the freedom that we are all enjoying now. We look at their contributions to society, what made them distinct and what made them particularly special. Out of the hundreds of heroes, popular or unsung, who risked their lives for the country’s freedom, one person stood out with his writings and inspirational ways—Dr. Jose Rizal.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines calls for nominations to the Rizal Awards to celebrate 150 years of Rizal’s greatness! Read on if you are an individual or organization that has accomplished the following:
1) Spearheaded projects that support the Rizalian concept of love of country and fulfillment of our duties of citizenship. 2) Achieved meritorious individual recognition in various professions, which promote, teach and disseminate the same through proven competence leading to the general benefit of the individual, community, and the country at large. 3) Promoted and encouraged civic and citizenship responsibility as model citizens- incorruptible patriots with the virtue of resisting temptations and misuse of wealth, influence, rank, or power.
If you believe that a person from your community, organization, or company deserves to be a recipient of the Rizal Award, then send your nominations to the NHCP Office or e-mail them at rizalawards@nhcp.gov.ph on or before March 15, 2012. To know more about Rizal@150 and the Rizal Awards, log on to www.nhcp.gov.ph or call the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (02) 524 9952.Rizal Shirt
Before leaving for the States, I was able to drop by the Balik sa Bayan Box: Travels of Rizal. It was an outdoor installation done by Team Manila at the Ayala Museum.
The entire thing is eye-catching- a funky display of some of Rizal's best known itineraries and famous lines. It made me wonder about what our national hero would have carried around in his suitcase as he moved around the world. What are those Filipino-made things he simply could not do without? What were the articles of clothing that he couldn't find anywhere else?Did he bring his favorite tsokalate eh from home even though he had an array of chocolates available to him in Europe?
Pondering those things, I was inspired to document a reverse balikbayan box. What are the things our many OFWs ask for from people coming to visit them? Though, there are bound to be differences- there are certain staples everyone comes to expect. Upon entering the US, my immigration officer asked me if I was bringing food into the United States, I said, "just pastries". He quickly replied, "Polvoron?".
Yes, there was definitely polovoron in there. There was also a lot of other things. Like Philippine folk tale books, back issues of Yes magazine, pork rinds more popularly know as chicharon (with laman), house slippers, Master facial cleanser, baking molds, more polvoron, Marty's vegetarian chicharon, Team Manila and Electromagnetic Tentacle shirts, Cinemalaya DVDs, Chef Tony's popcorn, and last but not least a new barong for my brother. Not shown here but definitely always requested: Eng Bee Tin's hopia and Megamelt ensaymada.
Things are whirling fast around me. Work. Vacation plans. All the things I need to fix before heading off to the States. I didn't really have time to plan a birthday party so I had a simple celebration that was in-keeping with the musamanila ideals of promoting our culture. I present to you the very Filipino way of pairing pandesal with ice cream.
My Ice Cream Pandesal Party
1. Get pandesals from your local bakery. Remember half a scoop goes into one small pandesal. Try to get colorful flavors like ube, pandan, chocolate, and cheese.
2. There are no rules. Just scoop it out and put into the bread. Best if the pandesal is warm so it contrasts with the coldness of the ice cream. Add your own Filipino toppings like Chocnut and Polvoron.
I always hope to find some gems in the annual Cinemalaya independent film festival. It's awesome to see the support behind this project. Kudos to the festival being more organized and adding venues like Greenbelt 3. However if there's one area, they have to improve on, it's on their trailers.
I had a chance to watch all of the trailers today and I found myself disappointed. Most of them were made with too much attachment to the material that it didn't answer the question, "why would someone want to watch this?" A lot of the times, people who are not involved with the movie are asked to edit the trailer because they are able to see it from an objective distance. Without objectivity, there is a big chance to totally miss the point. Being an an advertiser, I see Cinemalaya trailers as commercials with the daunting task of enticing people to to travel all the way to the CCP, to shell out P150 (to P5000 for a festival pass) to sit through a potentially crappy (potentially brilliant) film. They have to make that choice just a little bit easier for people.
Here are some of the trailers I found intriguing - on my list of things to catch.
Teoriya
A story about a young man in search of his father's remains. It looks well made and it
doesn't seem to have that overly dramatic plot that usually turns out bad.
Isda: The Fable of the Fish
We hear about weird freakish things happening all the time. Why not make a movie out of it?
I want to see how this fable ends.
Busong
It's a look into the Palawan belief of instant karma. I'm just a sucker for films
that make a subject of culturally remote Filipino ethnic groups.
Plus, it's Alessandra de Rossi- she's awesome!
Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa (The Dance of Two Left Feet)
It's beautifully shot and the scoring has promise.
Ang Babae sa Septic Tank
Chris Martinez, Marlon Rivera, and Eugene Domingo! Talk about star power.
It's rare to find comedies in a festival like this and this one is a parody of the making of
indie films in the Philippines. How apt. Definitely, a must see for me.
This blog is like the Filipino dessert that mixes together unrelated ingredients such as ice, beans, gelatin, purple yam, and cream into something fun. Here’s a yummy serving of my own halo-halo musings on art, advertising, history, fashion, photography and inspiration.
