BenCab at 80
The summer capital erupted into a celebration as National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto (“BenCab”) Cabrera turned 80 with a well-attended opening of his “BenCab@80” exhibition. Friends and collectors from Manila, Baguio, Hong Kong and London trooped to BenCab Museum in Baguio to catch a first glimpse of his new paintings and metal sculptures. The metal sculptures are a collaboration with Filaine Tan and Jeane Wee of Abitare Internazionale, leading purveyor of European contemporary furnishings and art. BenCab’s paintings were reinterpreted into sculptures fabricated in Italy, in limited editions of 13.
The drizzling Saturday afternoon warmed up with the artist’s good friend, Rico Hizon of CNN Philippines, hosting the program. The acclaimed Baguio tenor, Glenn Gaerlan (a.k.a. “the Igorotti Pavarotti”), entertained the crowd together with the University of Baguio Voices Chorale. Attendees enjoyed a delightful spread that included ice cream served from a sorbetero’s cart, and strawberry tahô from an ambulant vendor of sweet, silken tofu. The celebration concluded with a late-night fireworks display, overseen safely by the local Bureau of Fire Protection.
Making the trip were art patrons Alice Eduardo, Cedie Lopez-Vargas, Malu Gamboa, Precy Florentino, Deanna Ongpin-Recto, Sandy Uy, Ester Gabaldon, John and Evelyn Forbes, Val and Marice del Rosario, and Yu Ming Chin; National Artist Kidlat Tahimik and others from the art scene, including artists Claude Tayag and Tiny Nuyda, gallery owners Silvana Diaz, Bigboy Cheng, and Remigio David. BenCab Art Foundation members Dr. Joven Cuanang, Ambeth R. Ocampo, Patricia Coseteng, Dannie Alvarez and Rene Guatlo were among many who came to greet the celebrant.
The “BenCab@80” exhibition at the BenCab Museum runs until June 5.
Check it out, palanggas! ‘Cause it’s also a great time to go up to Baguio for this once-in-a-lifetime happening.
