Sio Montera's Abstracsion II

After earning his Masters Degree in Painting at the University of the Philippnes and having two acclaimed solo exhibitions at the Art Center of SM City Cebu and at the Bluewater Gallery of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, abstract artist par excellence Sio Montera once again awed art enthusiasts via his third solo exhibit again at the Bluewater Gallery.

The exhibit, which opened last August 12 and was capped last September 12,was inspired by his experiences and showed emblems and symbolic indications of his presence in this short life. Guests of honor included Creative Cebu’s Meg Osmeña, Canadian Art aficionado Mark Milne, Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort’s GM Rhyz Buac and tri-media personality Jude Bacalso.

Montera’s works are condensed into massive, encrusted color-filled paintings. He takes inspiration from international artists like Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell, Jackson Pollock, Jean Dubuffet, Cy Twombly, Jean Michel Basquiat and Antoni Tapies, as well as Filipino artists like Nestor Vinluan, Lao Lianben and Jose Joya..

To artist Sio Montera, congratulations! Here’s looking forward to the next one! Cheers!

 Carmen’s Sinamay Festival Queen. Passing through Carmen town is a frequent thing especially during long weekends and important invitations because of a sister-in-law whose roots come from the northern part of Cebu and because of some close friends, too. But I never had a chance to drop by and explore this progressive town, especially their sinamay industry.

So when I got an invitation to sit as one of the members of the board of judges for the town’s annual Sinamay Festival Queen, I immediately said yes.

It was a brief, overnight visit but going around the town especially in the Poblacion area was realized in less than a day. Before touring the place, we were hosted with an early dinner by no less than the amiable town mayor, Hon. Sonia Pua and her equally pleasant and unassuming children, Tong who was my classmate, Bambi and her husband Jack Abelgas.

We then proceeded to the town plaza and had a couple of drinks before calling it a night. The following day, we had the chance to pass by a small sinamay factory and had a glimpse of how the product is done. For those who are not aware, sinamay is the town’s top cottage industry product. Thus, they have the Sinamay Festival.

When you have the chance to drop by the town, I highly recommend that you try the Hillside Otap. Their store is located a little further from the town proper. For me, they have the best otap in Cebu, another product that the town should be proud of.

Here are some photos taken during the Sinamay Festival Queen that I want to share with you. Enjoy!