Pinto Art Gallery launches Grupo Biag
MANILA, Philippines - Juan Luna, Esteban Villanueva, Macario Vitalis, Ricarte Purruganan, and Prudencio Lamarroza are all Ilocanos who made a name for themselves in the Filipino art scene in the last century.
Last year, a group of artists from Ilocos gathered to form a collective and named themselves Grupo Biag. Biag in Ilocano means “life” and they are literally bringing life to the arts in northern Luzon, resurrecting the rich artistic tradition of the Ilocanos.
The formation of Grupo Biag was initiated by Dr. Joven Cuanang, himself an Ilocano, a stalwart in Philippine art who has been nurturing Filipino artists through his Pinto Art Gallery and Museum in Antipolo.
“My advocacy is to help develop young artists who have so much talent but little access to exposure,” says Dr. Cuanang.”It gives me happiness and fulfillment when I see them gaining recognition in the mainstream of the Philippine art scene.”
Jay Harold Hidalgo The group is composed of very young men and a woman who have distinguished themselves in local art competitions like the Shell, PLDT, Petron, Metrobank, AAP, GSIS and BSP, a crucible where artists compete with the best talents in the Philippines.
The Silangan Foundation for Arts, Culture and Ecology, known in the Philippines and Asia as the one that nurtured the beginning of the artistic careers of Elmer Borlongan, Antonio Leano, Manuel Garibay, John Santos III, Mark Justiniani, and many others in the art collectives, Salingpusa, continues its mission to be the springboard for the artistic careers of many young artists.
Tomorrow, Jan. 15, Grupo Biag will showcase its first group exhibit at the Pinto Art Gallery which opens at 3 p.m. Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos, Vice Governor DV Savellano, Bonito Singson, Mel Andino and many others will attend their maiden show.
Grupo Biag is composed of Brave Mabalo Singh, Jeminic Real, Jay Harold Hidalgo, Rionell Victor Rivera, Emerson Rabbon, Efren Sotelo, Pablo Constante Zingapan, Flordeliza Gonzales, Aubrey Terry, Rene Santos, Richard Cartie Quebral and Redentor Castillo.
