Q&A with Emong Borlongan: A Peek into the Artist’s Thoughts and Everyday Life

Can you share some interesting trivia about your earlier shows?

During my second solo show in 1994 at the West Gallery in Megamall, only four out of eight paintings were sold. One was bought by National Artist Bencab, titled Sundo, a 2’ x 2’ oil on canvas work. It is now part of the Bencab Museum Collection.

If you weren’t a painter today, what do you think you’d be doing and why?

I think I would be a photojournalist because I believe in the power of the single image being a part of our collective memory.

What is your biggest dream project?

I am dreaming of making a large-scale mural and exhibiting it at the National Museum of the Philippines.

What would you say to the young artists of today?

Practice your skill. Be ambitious. Create great works of art because opportunity will come later, after hard work.

Favourites:

• Dish: Sinigang na Hipon • Vacation destination: Japan • Musical artist: Sting • Song: Imagine by John Lennon • Movie: Dreams directed by Akira Kurosawa

and The Terminal directed by Steven Spielberg • Book/author: 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

What are your peculiar habits?

When I come across natural light that inspires me, I am drawn to pick-up my camera and call Plet to pose.

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken so far?

Being a homegrown city boy, my biggest risk is moving to Zambales. It affected my painting in a good way because my art went to a new phase. My colours brightened a little and my subjects included elements from nature.

And, if you’re not painting, what do you enjoy doing?

I collect vinyl records and play them on vintage turntables. I love taking photographs with my Fuji X100S, my Fuji instax mini and the Leica M6 film camera. I also play the guitar.