Monica's daily dose
For this multi-talented lady, no day is complete without healthy servings of dance and drawing
CREATIVITY runs in Monica Orellano’s genes. She got her talent in dancing from her mom, and her talent in illustrating from her dad. Monica said as far as she can remember, she would do either of these two everyday without fail. She would dance even when she’s sick or tired, and whenever there’s pen and paper within arm’s reach, she always finds herself doodling an image or two.
A visual artist, a photographer, a dancer and a teacher—there’s a lot going on for this gifted 21-yearold. She does freelance work as graphic artist, she’s a member of Events Photographers Cebu, a choreographer for dance group Knapsack Productions and has her own dance segment in the ABS-CBN game show Kapamilya Mas Winner Ka.
As if that’s not enough, the previous week Monica launched her first art exhibit at Malakius Art Kaffe, featuring paintings using a rare kind of medium, coffee.
A weakness for colors
Monica began sketching at a young age and eventually got into painting by the time she reached high school. “Colors were my weakness,” she said. “At that time, I focused on having visible lines and contour rather than colors.”
It was in 2008 when she “discovered” the rich, monochromatic effect of coffee painting. It was her friend’s birthday and since she didn’t have money to buy a present at that time, she improvised by putting her friend’s two favorite things together—guitar and coffee— in one, and so a coffee painting of a guitar was made.
Although she’s also well-versed in using oil and other media, Monica decided from then on to channel her artistry to using coffee and has developed her own technique in layering it on canvass. “(Using coffee) the thickness of the lines is clearer and there’s a vintage feel to it,” she explained.
Monica said that most of her works are caricatures of people, while some are based on photos she’s taken, and the rest are all upshots of her vibrant imagination. The young artist said she has done over 20 paintings using crushed coffee beans, and most of the artworks she has given to her friends.
“I learned it through research, influence of different painters, and school exposure,” she said. Monica studied fine arts at the University of San Carlos.
“I like it because it’s a unique medium,” she said. And the fact that she loves coffee is a plus. “I drink coffee every day,” she said cheekily.
Having heart
As for her stint as a dancer, Monica has been doing it professionally since she was 13 years old. She joined ABS-CBN as backup dancer for the defunct variety show Sabado Na Gyud, then for Kapamilya Winner Ka, where she led a dance segment, and now with Kapamilya Mas Winner Ka, where she has her own segment called Monica, Kiay Na!.
Monica’s earliest recollections of choreographing were in school, where she used to lead the cheer dance and was part of the USC College of Architecture and Fine Arts’ pop jazz team. Today, she is head choreographer of Knapsack Productions, a dance group that was started by her mom, Cebu City Tourism Commission Executive Director Cinbeth Orellano.
“I wanted to keep a low-profile,” Monica admitted. Yet with the encouragement of her mom, Monica was able to exceed her limits.
Putting her dancing skills to good use, Monica also teaches dancing to street children through the Cebu City Street Children Performing Arts, a project of the Cebu City government. This she does regularly at the theater hall of the Rizal Memorial Library & Museum Building.
“I want to be a teacher and share what I know to kids. I never want to stop learning so I can be teacher with different gifts to share,” she said.
Artist on track
At an age when there seems to be so many distractions, Monica remains on track because of her utmost dedication to her passions. As a dancer she takes care of herself by observing a healthy diet, and as an artist she draws and practices whenever she gets the opportunity.
“My wish is to have a studio for painting, photography and dancing—all in one building,” Monica said.
Right now that building remains a wish, but then again her art exhibit started as one.