A taste of Contemporary Filipino Art

Ambassadors of different nations experienced a taste of emerging contemporary Filipino art when the winning works of Metrobank and Metrobank Foundation’s Young Painters’ Annual Competition went on exhibit recently.

First prize winning entries "Pinag-isang Pangarap" by Isagani C. Monje (oil on canvas) and "Stitch of the Nation" by Rex S. Tatlonghari (water media on paper) as well as other selected entries were displayed and feasted upon by art lovers and critics alike.

The exhibit was opened by National Artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho and Cultural Center of the Philippines president Nestor Jardin, who was also the chairman of the final board of judges. The other members of the final board of judges included art critic Emmanuel Torres, National Museum director Corazon Alvina, and renowned artists Romulo Galicano and Noelle Eli Farol.

The guests, which included government officials and art aficionados, had the opportunity to add some of the entries to their collection as some were put on sale.

Congratulations to all the winners and to Metrobank Foundation’s president Placido Mapa Jr. for your continued patronage of the arts.

* * * Asian History In A Store

It’s a given, the words China and Indo-China come to mind every time one sees a statue of Buddha anywhere – the store, home, temple, or even the mall.

However, a trip to Old Asia’s showrooms at posh Shangri-La Plaza and Power Plant Mall will teach even the most clueless that a supposedly simple Buddha figurine is more than meets the eye. Such a visit can become a veritable lesson in furniture history and connoisseurship. In fact, Old Asia is renowned for being the pioneer in the classic and contemporary Oriental furniture trend and up to now, it continues to bring in Asian antiques that eventually become fashionable with homeowners and interior designers.

So when it comes to the Buddha collection, who can be better at bringing in the details than the fashionable Pachot Mapa and her beautiful, but equally knowledgeable children?

The Buddha in question is an exquisite collection of 24 one-of-a-kind 18th- and 19th-century Buddha images made of alabaster, wood and bronze. These statues, which mostly came from Burma and Thailand, are the Mapa’s rarest and most unique collection to date. The set shows Buddha in various metaphors and poses. Some of the most interesting are: an antique 19th-century alabaster reclining Buddha from Burma; 19th-century alabaster statues of Buddha’s chief disciples, Sariputta and Mogallana; a Mandalay-style wooden Buddha image standing on a lotus pedestal in the varada (gesture of charity); a 19th-century antique alabaster standing Buddha holding an alms bowl; and an antique 19th-century alabaster sitting Buddha in "touching the ground position."

Rockwell Power Plant’s stylish showroom played host to the unveiling that featured a display of the entire series elegantly set up by Pachot’s muy bien hijo Jojo. Manila’s créme de la créme of antique buffs and art lovers graced this fabulous event with their lovely presence. Guests included the affable Rachy Cuna, the charming Robert Borja, the eternally gorgeous Lydia Durano, the benevolent Tony Aquino, dazzling Cita Roman and splendid in purple Didi Payumo. Not wanting to be left out of the list were the fashionable Fe Rodriguez and Aying de Leon, the good-looking Butch Lopez and the vibrant group of Wanda Louwallien, Thelma Guericke, Marielese Evaristo, Monette Guevarra, Vicky Assad, Maricor Nieto and Letty Bonoan. Imparting their spirits to the event were twosomes Ram and Emi Jorge and Ana and Vince Bitong, lovely ladies Baby Cuizon, Czarina Ebbah, Marni Sanbalido, Nene Leonor and handsome gentlemen Benjo Bautista and Glenn Cuevo.

Monette Mapa, Pachot’s delightful daughter-in-law, capably informed and entertained those present with her skillful guided tour of the splendid exhibit. She showed and elucidated each piece with ample perception of the Buddha gestures and the pieces’ history and features.

Buddhist monks wish people they meet that Buddha bless them. I do think that a short trek to this show would elicit some, don’t you think?