Category Archives: arts and culture


The Attack of Tatong and Leeroy

Tatong Recheta Torres, "All Star Cast"

Tatong Recheta Torres, "All Star Cast"

At foreground, Leeroy New's "Rust Cloud"

At foreground, Leeroy New's "Rust Cloud"

As a child growing up in downtown Manila, Tatong Recheta Torres would escape into the world of movies.  Enveloped in

Exhibit installation

Exhibit installation

the darkness of Recto Avenue cinemas, his imagination transported him from the bustle of a congested city.   Off he went, out into the realm of Bioman, and Godzilla, Darna and Valentina.

Leeroy New, "Red Venus"

Leeroy New, "Red Venus"

In this show, Odeon Universal Galaxy,  Tatong teams up with Leeroy New.  Their first exhibit together  takes its name  from the most well-known movie theaters in Avenida.  They take us into a flick of their own making, one that brings us to the world of  sci-fi, horror, and Japanese anime they devoured as kids.

Leeroy New, "From the Deep"

Leeroy New, " The Thing From the Deep"

When you walk into Blanc Compound’s main exhibit space, you feel just like Obi Wan and Luke as they enter the cantina in search of Han Solo.  Only a bit less PG.  Tatong’s painting on the center wall, All Star Cast, depicts backstage of a beergarden somewhere across the Milky Way from Pluto.  Leeroy’s human-sized creatures mill around, enjoying the entertainment.

Another view, "Red Venus" and "The Thing From The Deep"

Another view, "Red Venus" and "The Thing From The Deep"

Detail, "The Thing from the Deep"

Detail, "The Thing from the Deep"

Leeroy, himself reared on Blade Runner and The Thing, allows his imagination to take flight once more.  This time, his fiberglass and polyurethane sculpture have more detail.  You can’t help but scrutinize and enjoy the clear figurines he piles atop two of his works, like some sort of space age barnacles.

Leeroy New, "Fear and Desire At the Gate"

Leeroy New, "Fear and Desire At the Gate"

It would’ve been good if Tatong had one other painting.  But perhaps that couldn’t have been helped.  Tatong and Leeroy should make movies more often.  This was so much fun!

Tatong Recheta Torres and Leeroy New

Tatong Recheta Torres and Leeroy New

Odeon Universal Galaxy runs from 24 August to 10 September 2009 at Blanc Compound, 359 Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong City.  Phone (632)750-0032 or visit http://www.blanc.ph


Dragons at Manila Contemporary Gallery

Mariano Ching, "Stigmata (Left Hand)"

Mariano Ching, "Stigmata (Left Hand)"

I get wary when an exhibit’s list of artists reads like your Friends on Facebook (well, not mine).  All too often, these mega-group shows have walls merely carpeted with paintings.

Mariano Ching, "Stigmata (Right Hand)"

Mariano Ching, "Stigmata (Right Hand)"

Galleries end up like your third grade art classroom, everybody’s works just hang there with no rhyme or reason.

So to be honest, I hesitated to see this.  But I suppose when you have Ronald Achacoso and Nilo Ilarde working to put together an exhibit, they manage to steer it from the usual mishmash.  The show’s title, Here Be Dragons, comes from the tradition of medieval map makers to mark the unexplored and the unknown with serpents and other such creatures.  Frankly, I had to ask about the

concept that tied things together.  As the way of group shows of this size,  works came out uneven.  And maybe, it isn’t such a good thing when pieces we’ve seen before get rehashed to fit into another

Exhibit installation view from top

Exhibit installation view from top

idea.  But that doesn’t mean that you don’t find gems.  This show has its share.  Nilo’s installation makes it easy to appreciate each of the artists’ pieces.  It must have been difficult figuring out which works to group together.  That you do not feel stifled and overwhelmed must be credited to his use of  the gallery’s wonderful space.  And the natural light streaming in from the floor to ceiling windows helps make for very agreeable viewing.

Felix Bacolor, " Philippine Geographical Maps from National Mapping and Resource Information Authority"

Felix Bacolor, " Philippine Geographical Maps from National Mapping and Resource Information Authority"

I loved Mariano Ching’s Stigmatas, wooden hands embellished with pyrographs and acrylic images of serpents, lions, crusading ships, and Catholic missionaries.  Felix Bacolor’s installation has a great story behind it.  He

Yasmin Sison, "After Chabet's Boat"

Yasmin Sison, "After Chabet's Boat"

trekked to the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority to seek discards.  Instead they gave him the run of closets full of pre-war Philippine maps.

He shows just a fraction here, the others to be used for future projects.

Funny that I mentioned a grade school classroom project earlier.   Yasmin Sison actually brought one with her in After Chabet’s Boat where she uses paintings of Philippine maps by students of the Cavite Institute.

Whether or not they fit into the show’s concept, Johnny Alcazaren, Bernie Pacquing,  Gerardo Tan, and Trek  Valdizno always deliver quality. Nilo and Chabet as usual,  make us think.

Alwin Reamillo and Juliet Lea, "Kakainin Ba Nila ang mga Saging"

Alwin Reamillo and Juliet Lea, "Kakainin Ba Nila ang mga Saging"

Next to Nano Ching’s piece, I would love to take home  Alwin Reamillo and Juliet Lea’s Kakainin Ba Nila Ang Mga Saging. Unfortunately, unlike the President, I can’t afford the cost of a  dinner at Le Cirque.  Come to think of it, that money would have been better spent on this.

Detail, "Kakainin Ba Nila Ang Mga Saging"

Detail, "Kakainin Ba Nila Ang Mga Saging"

View of installation with works of Bernie Pacquing(left) and Jonathan Olazo (right)

View of installation with works of Bernie Pacquing(left) and Jonathan Olazo (right)

Gerardo Tan, "Track 1"

Gerardo Tan, "Track 1"

Here Be Dragons with Ronald Achacoso, Alex Aguilar, Johnny Alcazaren, Poklong Anading, Felix Bacolor, Ringo Bunoan, Bea

Louie Cordero,

Louie Cordero,"Norwegian Wood"

Camacho, Roberto Chabet, Mariano Ching, Lena Cobanbang, Louie Cordero, Bembol dela Cruz, Dodo Dayao, Nilo Ilarde, Manuel Ocampo, Jonathan Olazo, Jayson Oliveria, Bernardo Pacquing, Gary Ross Pastrana, Alwin Reamillo, Raul Rodriguez, Juni Salvador, Gerardo Tan, Jay Ticar, Trek Valdizno, Cris Villanueva, Reg Yuson runs from 15 August to 6 September 2009 at the Manila Contemporary Gallery, Whitespace, 2314 Chino Roces Ave, Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati.  Phone (632) 844-7228 or visit http://www.manilacontemporary.com

Johnny Alcazaren, "Slow Leak"

Johnny Alcazaren, "Slow Leak"


West End Boys: Jonathang Ching, Kaloy Olavides, Lawrence Bersoto, and Dennis Gonzales

I set out early from Makati on the day I caught West Gallery’s opening of four shows, one for each of its exhibit spaces.  I arrived

Jonathan Ching with his pieces, "Deja Vu (After Edouard Manet)"

Jonathan Ching with his "Deja Vu (After Edouard Manet)"

just as they set up the coffee station, the aroma of freshly-brewed beans keeping me company as I criss-crossed the gallery’s rooms, taking in the works on the walls.  Quite a melange from relatively young artists  with very distinct styles and subject matter.

Jonathan Ching continues his series on immortality which he first explored in his show in KL a few months ago.  In the main wall of his space, three portraits lend their

Jonathan Ching, "Gang of Four: Larry, Moe, Curly, and Me"

Jonathan Ching, "Gang of Four: Larry, Moe, Curly, and Me"

titles to the show, If Its White and In a Bottle, It Must Be Milk.  These paintings depict Princess Diana and the late rap superstar Francis Magalona in life, and the last, the Dalai Lama.  As Jon explains, the title comes from the words of  Alexandre Dumas as he delves on the difference between perception and reality, especially the reality that these immortals had to contend with vis-a-vis their high profile lives.

Jonathan Ching, "If It's White and In a Bottle, It Must Be Milk" series

Jonathan Ching, "If It's White and In a Bottle, It Must Be Milk" series

I thought that the mixed media piece, Deja Vu (After Edouard Manet), which combines a cast iron bull positioned above Jon’s depiction of Manet’s slain matador came off as the most interesting.  It may even have the potentials of spinning off into another show, perhaps the beginning of a series of similar mixed media wall works.

"You Are A Moment" and Lawrence Bersoto

"You Are A Moment" and Lawrence Bersoto

Lawrence Bersoto and Dennis Gonzales stick to what they’ve done before.  Lawrence captures photographic moments with his usual skill.  Dennis reveals hidden lives and desires.

Lawrence Bersoto, "April 202009"

Lawrence Bersoto, "April 202009"

Dennis Gonzales, "Eat All You Can"

Dennis Gonzales, "Eat All You Can"

You can just imagine how much work Kaloy Olavides puts into his collages.  He begged, borrowed, and, maybe, stole magazines from family, friends, and strangers to gather enough photographs to complete his pieces.  Kaloy works with repetitive images painstakingly put together.  In his Need Extension series, he has hundreds of hands appearing to reach out to man’s three basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter.  In Etherealscape, the eyes have it.  As with the hands, he cut, pasted, and lacquered more than 100 eyes for this one piece.

Dennis Gonzales, "Princess" and "Finding Bambi"

Dennis Gonzales, "Princess" and "Finding Bambi"

If Its White and Its in a Bottle It Must Be Milk by Jonathan Ching, Chaotic Serenity by Kaloy Olavides, Nothing New Under the Sun by Dennis Gonzales, and You Are A

Kaloy Olivades, "Etherealscape" (detail)

Kaloy Olavides, "Etherealscape" (detail)

Moment by Lawrence Bersoto runs from 13 August to 14 September 2009 at West Gallery, 48 West Ave., Quezon City.  Phone (632) 411-9221 or visit

http:// www.jonching.com http://www. westgallery.org

Kaloy Olivades, "Etherealscape"

Kaloy Olavides, "Etherealscape"

Kaloy Olivades, "Need Extension" Series

Kaloy Olavides, "Need Extension" Series

Kaloy Olivades, "Need Extension" (detail)

Kaloy Olavides, "Need Extension" (detail)


Bolipata and Borlongan, A Two-Part Invention

Elmer Borlongan, "Pamilyang Menthol", 1994

Elmer Borlongan, "Pamilyang Menthol", 1994

Elmer Borlongan, "Girl in a Bathtub", 2009 and Plet Bolipata, "

Elmer Borlongan, "Woman In The Bathtub", 2009 and Plet Bolipata, "Variations on the Blue Hour: Appassionata", 2008

In this show, Elmer Borlongan and Plet Bolipata bring out selected pieces of their own paintings from their personal collection. As the exhibit notes explain, the title of the show comes from a musical movement where two distinct melodies play simultaneously.  Continue reading →


The Ateneo Art Awards 2009

Ateneo Art Awards Short-listed Artists with Judges and Sponsors (photo from R. Jalandoni)

Ateneo Art Awards Short-listed Artists with Fr. Nebres of the Ateneo, Richie Lerma of the Ateneo Art Gallery, judges, and sponsors (photo from Rani Jalandoni)

Michelline Syuco with a piece from "Armadillon"

Michelline Syuco with a piece from "Armadillon"

Well, I got two of the three winners right, and the third I actually picked as a runner-up, so I guess I didn’t do too badly in predicting this year’s recipients of the Ateneo Art Awards.  I had a feeling the two-dimensional pieces would be passed over, no matter how excellently-made.  All in all, the quality of the short-listed artists only bodes well for the future of Philippine art.  I am proud to say I saw all but two of the shows in situ.  It was great to relive them at the Ateneo Art Gallery’s display at Shangri-La Plaza Mall.  Of course the experience does not come close to actually viewing the shows (where was Patty’s lace piano?), but still, you do get a feel for the sensibilities of each of the artists.  How exhilarating to witness the diversity!

Detail from Michelline Syjuco's "Armadillon"

Detail from Michelline Syjuco's "Armadillon", shown at Mag:net

 

Raul Manzano, Editor-In-Chief of Metro Society, one of the night's sponsors

Raul Manzano, Editor-In-Chief of Metro Society, one of the night's sponsors

Continue reading →


Roberto Feleo at The Drawing Room

Roberto Feleo, "Ang Pinteng ni Pedro Mateo", note flaming headress for decapitated Ifugao warriors

Roberto Feleo, "Ang Pinteng ni Pedro Mateo", note flaming headress for decapitated Ifugao warriors

When an artist of Roberto Feleo’s stature puts together a show of recent works, you try and make time to see it.  Admittedly, art took a back seat this past week. I stayed glued to the tv or to my laptop following current events as they unraveled, leading up to the momentous People’s Funeral of President Cory Aquino.  But an exhibit by Feleo does not happen every year, and with The Drawing Room just a fifteen-minute car ride away, I found myself taking a break from all the news. Continue reading →


Cory Aquino the Artist

cory painting

Today we pay tribute to a former president who, after she stepped down from office,  dabbled a bit in the arts.  She painted mostly flowers, admittedly not my favorite of subjects. She gave away her work as personal gifts.  Although her pieces may not fall into the cory 2category of fine art, it would be safe to assume she never aspired for them to be considered anything other than pretty pictures.  How wonderful to think though, that she, like us, found comfort and enjoyment in the visual arts.

Thank you President Cory!  You’ve made us proud to be Pinoy.


Mariano Ching’s Minimalist Apocalypse

Mariano Ching, "Slight Ripples on a Dim Horizon"

Mariano Ching, "Slight Ripples On The Dim Horizon"

Mariano Ching, "Slight Ripples On The Dim Horizon"(Detail)

Mariano Ching, "Slight Ripples On The Dim Horizon"(Detail)

For works influenced by comic books and cartoons, Mariano Ching’s images feel surprisingly quiet.  You first notice his empty spaces, both on his acrylics

Mariano Ching, "Wonder Boy"

Mariano Ching, "Wonder Boy"

on large canvases and on his smaller paper pieces.  You would expect, just as in Japanese anime novels,  surfaces brimming over with forms and figures rendered in loud, bold colors.  Sort of like Takashi Murakami or even Louie Cordero.  Instead you get works that beckon, compelling you to look closely at the

Mariano Ching, "Wonder Boy" (Detail)

Mariano Ching, "Wonder Boy" (Detail)

compact images all scrunched together.  Only then do you appreciate Nano’s  details, so finely and minutely wrought.  You wonder, as I did aloud to him, whether he paints while looking through a microscope or a magnifying glass.

Mariano Ching, "Mounds and Moles 5"

Mariano Ching, "Mounds and Moles 5"

His recent paintings, including those in this show, use a lot of rainbows, arcs of red, purple, green, blue, and yellow.  Because of this, and of the bright colors he employs, you don’t immediately perceive how melancholic or freaky his figures are:  girls with large distended heads, severed body parts, distorted faces, a pile of garbage and muck.  That the show brings

Mariano Ching, "Mounds and Moles 8"

Mariano Ching, "Mounds and Moles 8"

us to an imaginary wasteland, a site that reels from an environmental disaster, becomes apparent only after awhile.  His minimalist sensibilities, acquired from his two years as a printmaking major at the Kyoto Arts

Mariano Ching, "Divine Hammer", one of his two painted signages

Mariano Ching, "Divine Hammer", one of his two painted signages

University, seem at first in direct opposition to his preoccupation with science fiction and apocalyptic images.  Yet, this dichotomy actually makes him more interesting.

I love his wall-bound sculpture, what he calls painted signages.  Manufactured from metal sheets, laser cut and shaped with precision, he paints them as he would his canvases.  They come out not only so well-fabricated, he has made them so distinctly his own.

Mariano Ching, "Great Deeds"

Mariano Ching, "Great Deeds"

View of the exhibit installation

View of the exhibit installation

Dead Ends And False Starts by Mariano Ching runs from 15 July to 8 August 2009 at SLab, 2F YMC Bldg. 2, 2320 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City.  Phone (632)816-0044 or visit http://www.slab.silverlensphoto.com

Mariano Ching, "Mounds and Moles 7"

Mariano Ching, "Mounds and Moles 7"


Lunch with Mang Ola

When you get a call for a lunch invitation with Romulo Olazo, you don’t think twice. Which is how I found myself seated beside

Romulo Olazo with one of his diaphanous paintings

Romulo Olazo with one of his diaphanous paintings

him and his wife, Pat, over a plate of Carbonara and a glass of iced tea.  His 40-year retrospective happens in a week, on July 27, and the exhibit organizers and the Ayala Museum wanted to make sure to get the word out.

We chatted mostly about his early years as a visual artist, how he decided to completely give up on a career in advertising, and at age 40, begin anew, first as a print maker, then as a painter.  How inspiring is that?  We lamented on the damage inflicted by cockroaches and the elements to a 50-foot serigraph he executed for his first one-man show at the CCP. He professes admiration for the work of Nona Garcia (“Ang galing n’on!”)

With his son, artist Jonathan Olazo

With his son, artist Jonathan Olazo

and hasn’t given much thought to choosing the most memorable piece he has ever done, as perhaps it is yet to come.  Mang Ola, at 75, finds time to work a few days a week.  He even includes a few new works for the upcoming show.

I promised to tell fellow art lovers not to miss Romulo Olazo:  A 40-Year Retrospective.  As if.  Once the news get out, watch us all come flocking to see.

Romulo Olazo:  A 40-Year Retrospective opens on 27 July 2009 at the Ayala Museum, Greenbelt Park, Makati City.  It runs until 13 September 2009.  For more information, call (632)757-7117 or visit  http://www.ayalamuseum.org