PARIAL, WILWAYCO AND THE BALER ARTISTS AT SM CITY CABANATUAN
Heber Bartolome singing Tayo’y mga Pinoy while artist Elito Circa handpaints these rhythms on canvas, a touching tribute to the late master artist Mario Parial, a celebration of tereptepism and pointillism. Baler artists giving mallgoers a slice of this traveler’s paradise, and artist’s heaven.
These were some of the exciting highlights when “My City, My SM, My Art” recently made a stop at SM City Cabanatuan. The diversity of Nueva Ecija’s art scene should come as no surprise, as it is endowed with a rich heritage. As the largest province in the Philippines, its terrain begins with the southwestern marshes near the Pampanga border. It levels off and rises to rolling hills as it approaches the Sierra Madre mountains in the east and the Carballo and Cordillera ranges in the north.
Given that, the influx of migrants from Pampanga and the Ilocos region have made the province a unique melting pot with its multicultural milieu offering many opportunities in culture and the arts.
The establishment of groups like Samahang Makasining and the establishment of art schools in the area have made the art scene in the province more vibrant and laid the foundation for a new generation of Novo Ecijano artists. There is also the thriving artist’s village in nearby Baler, Aurora that is revolutionizing art not only in the region, but also in the world.
This is what mallgoers saw when “My City, My SM, My Art” made a recent stop at SM City Cabanatuan. A joint project of SM, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Shell Philippines, the Philippine STAR, with support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Centerstage Productions, “My City, My SM, My Art” a celebration of Philippine visual arts — painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and filmmaking.
The campaign brings art and people together by showcasing the works of masters, modernists and millennials in a road show around the SM Supermalls. Advocating art for all, the team works with communities to mount exhibits, workshops and contests in key cities around the Philippines.
No less than Cabanatuan City Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara graced the occasion together with Councilors Junny del Rosario and Fanny Posada, and DTI Provincial director Brigada Pili. Also present were Dr. Norma V. Palmero, who represented Aurora Governor Gerardo Noveras and Museo de Baler curator Delsa Gonzales.
SM officials led by SM senior vice president for marketing Millie Dizon, SM Supermalls regional operations manager Cesar Bondoc, and SM City Cabanatuan Mall manager Mark Carlo Herrera warmly welcomed them.
Guests enjoyed the program, which included an AVP presentation hosted by Shy Kee Lumibao featuring the master artists of Cabanatuan and Baler and their amazing works. These works were exhibited in and around the My Art Gallery, which was inspired by the Bahay na Bato in Luzon.
The event showed how Novo Ecijano artists use diverse mediums for their works: Elito Villaflor Circa or Amangpintor, the father of contemporary Filipino indigenous art uses human hair and blood in his works; Ramon Lopez creates his amazing pieces from rust; and Fredi Agunoy celebrates cool with his junk sculptures.
The event also showcased the works of Gromyko Semper, a young artist whose works merge a tradition of high cultural metaphor, and a sensual dream work of feverish risk; and Heber Bartolome, who showed he is as equally talented in his art as he is in his music.
Three artists from the Artist’s Village in Baler revealed in their works why it has become a laboratory for artistic development, designed to revolutionize culture and arts in the country. These include Sherwin Paul Gonzales, and his “tereptepism” paintings that are a confluence of numerous influences; Vincent Christopher Gonzales, whose works have a fun way of twisting your perception; and Ian Maigan, the master of pointillism, wherein tiny dots in primary colors are used to generate secondary colors.
My Art also showcased the works of acclaimed abstract expressionist Edwin Wilwayco who is best known for his lush and lyrical paintings distinctly represented by dynamic brushstrokes, strident textures and vivid palettes.
The event’s highlight was a tribute to the late multi-awarded artist, printmaker, sculptor and photographer Mario Parial, who was represented by his wife Carina and brother, Luis.
As the foremost genre artist of the Philippines, Gapan-born Parial has explored themes that have endeared him to art lovers for four decades: folk imagery, festivals, local traditions, harlequins, kites, and the dayto-day activities of the common folk in his inimitable style. His work demonstrates a balance of technique and vision almost unparalleled in today’s art scene.
During his lifetime, Parial exhibited in over 160 group shows, and 25 solo exhibitions both in the Philippines and abroad. An important pillar in Philippine art, his work has been auctioned at Sotheby’s on Southeast Asian Art.
With its aim of bringing art and people together, “My City, My SM, My Art” also conducted a “Tereptepism and Indigenouism” workshop conducted by artists Sherwin Gonzales and Elito Circa. Jerry Bernabe bagged the grand prize of P5,000 worth of gift certificates.
“My City, My SM, My Art” is a takeoff from the previous “My City, My SM” campaign which promotes tourism, “My City, My SM, My Cuisine,” which highlights regional culinary specialties, and “My City, My SM, My Crafts,” a celebration of traditional art and modern Philippine design in cities where SM has malls. The next stop for “My City, My SM, My Art” will be in SM City Masinag.