Artists offer works for GK fundraiser

MANILA, Philippines – In a magnanimous display of support for Gawad Kalinga, the country’s well-known painters, sculptor and contemporary artists donated their masterpieces to GK to raise funds for the AAA (Ateneo Alumni Association)-GK Molave Village in Payatas, Quezon City.

Prized works of masters like the late National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, Anita Magsaysay Ho, Malang, Lao Lianben and young artists like Rodel Tapaya, Daniel Coquilla, Isa Lorenzo, Marina Cruz, Edwin Wilwayco, Ronald Ventura, Virgilio Aviado, Bembol dela Cruz and MM Yu were sold at the first art auction conducted by GK and the Ateneo Alumni Association last February 7 at the Serendra Sales Pavilion.

World-renowned sculptor Ramon Orlina specially sculpted an exquisite crystallized glass carving titled “Flight to Victory” for the auction. Five of his items were sold.

According to AAA president Jess dela Fuente, a total of P650,000 was raised at the  auction.

Proceeds from the auction dubbed “Simula” will be used to build additional houses at the AAA-GK Molave Village.

The GK Molave Village in Payatas is the first project of the AAA with GK.  A total of 50 houses have been built so far out of a total target of 194 houses for the 194 families there.

The AAA will try to complete the balance of the 194 houses by 2009.

AAA-GK partnership

De La Fuente said the partnership with GK started in November 2006 with the groundbreaking of the AAA-GK Molave Village. The AAA believes in GK’s vision to empower the poor.

“The Jesuit and Ateneo’s ideal of being men and women for others can be well-exemplified by the Gawad Kalinga project.  GK seemed a very appropriate vehicle since it was not merely a housing project but a community development type of project,” De La Fuente explained.

He said it was natural, therefore, that the AAA Social Involvement committee chaired by Atty. Nena Rosales proposed to the AAA Board the adoption of a GK project.

But more than just providing homes for the poor, De La Fuente stressed the need to implement a continuing values formation program in the community “for the new houses to become a vibrant successful community in the long term.”

“Child and youth education, health and nutrition, and community development programs have to be sourced and conducted. Livelihood opportunities have to be planned. And more fund raising and sourcing have to be conceived and effected to support all these very important intangibles which are critically essential to help our beneficiaries truly transcend their poverty in the material and spiritual sense to that of persons of integrity and self-pride with a brighter future,” said  De La Fuente

 The AAA will also implement the Alumni immersion program wherein the alumni will have a real experience of living with the GK families. The aim is to enrich the alumni with invaluable insight into life and humanity by living with the poor.

De La Fuente said they are planning for two immersion programs this year, with  the first one scheduled this March.

The Birth of ‘Simula’

Rosales initiated the art auction project as one of the fund raising activities for the GK undertaking.

“The auction is a first for us, the AAA, and it is also a new beginning for the people of Lower Molave, as we aim not just to build houses but build new lives,” Rosales said.

 “I believe that the AAA should support projects that are not just sports oriented like basketball.  There are many art lovers in the country and an art auction will be a new way of gathering the Atenistas who are also art lovers to support a good cause like the AAA-GK Village,” she said.

They initially approached artists from various groups and they were happy with the response of these artists who donated their works to  the project.

De La Fuente, meanwhile, credits the assistance and expertise of the Ateneo Art Gallery (AAG) headed by the Managing Curator Yael Buencamino and Assistant Curator Joel de Leon.

The AAG solicited the assistance of the artists and the galleries to participate in the auction.  Most of the paintings were also donated through their efforts. 

“Mr. Malang and Mr. Orlina were very enthusiastic in supporting the project. The alumni directors, officers and staff worked double time to invite art aficionados and potential buyers as well as prepare for the preview exhibit and the Art Auction event,” De La Fuente said. 

The art auction was a success. Invited guests viewed and silently bidded for over 80 pieces of artworks  at the auction last Feb.7.

Dr. Leo Garcia started the formal program with his opening remarks, followed by the invocation of Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., Dean Emeritus of the Ateneo Law School and representative of Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J., President of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Gawad Kalinga champion Tony Meloto was also there to lend support.

Dela Fuente gave a short welcome address explaining the nature of the project. A short video presentation depicting the shanties and the beneficiaries and the transformation of the new GK Molave village was shown. The presentation culminated with a song number by the GK Molave children.

Auction master John Silva then began the live auction for the donated pieces from younger award winners like Rodel Tapaya and MM Yu to the masters Malang, Orlina and Magsaysay Ho.

Rosales hopes more artists would follow suit and support the cause of GK.

“We started with ‘Simula’ and hope that this project will have a ‘Kasunod’ for the sake of the GK village project. The AAA is committed to finish the AAA-GK village,” she said.