Ateneo Art Auction: The euphoria of bidding, the joy of giving

MANILA, Philippines - Investment is an art and art is an investment. Put in the context of an art auction, the thrill of ownership can get even more intense. Combine this with the immeasurable joy of giving and you will be bidding for a blue chip legacy of dreams.

This is the double fulfillment promised by the Ateneo Art Auction ’09 committee, as it allows active participation for this year’s event, made even more significant as the Blue Eagles celebrate their alma mater’s sesquicentennial year. In addition to the fulfillment of winning their choice masterpieces, successful bidders will also be helping the 500@150 Scholarship Campaign for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students to achieve a Jesuit education.

Though the race to raise the bid paddle begins with preview sessions on Oct. 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the heartbeats, sweaty palms and adrenalin will gain momentum and truly fly high starting on Auction Day, Oct. 3, starting 5:30 p.m. at the Finale Art File, La Fuerza Compound on 2241 Pasong Tamo, Makati City.

The distinguished roster of more than 50 donor artists, led by National Artists Ang Kiukok and Arturo Luz, includes Romulo Olazo, Lao Lianben, Lynyrd Paras, Impy Pilapil, Fernando Modesto, Florencio Concepcion, Angelito Antonio, Jaime de Guzman, Norma Belleza, Gus Albor, Nestor Vinluan, Julie Lluch, Joey Cobcobo and award-winning writer Gilda Cordero-Fernando, among others. 

The Ateneo Art Auction Committee, composed of art critics and art lovers, is led by two avid art collectors: chair Dr. Leovino Ma. Garcia, former dean of the School of Humanities, and co-chair Dr. Jaime C. Laya. They personally handpicked the artworks from an impressive array presented by the generous artists themselves.

Chair Dr. Garcia invites all art connoisseurs to attend and participate, noting that “the starting bids of the artworks are significantly lower than their true market value.”

“Given the quality and rarity of the artworks,” Dr. Laya adds, “I predict that participants will surely be in a bullish mode. Just wait and see!”

AAA president Miguel Jose Valencia is equally optimistic about the turnout: “There will always be people who love to indulge in the occasional work of art, and what’s more, this is for a good cause.”

Committee member Rico Gonzalez beautifully sums it all up: “At the end of the day,” he says, “the auction masterpiece on the wall will always be a reminder of kindness and generosity — to oneself and to others.”

A project of the Ateneo Alumni Association, the Ateneo Art Auction ‘09 is sponsored by Pepsicola Products Philippines, Metropolitan Insurance Company, Right Eight Security Agency, Golden Dragon Industrial Corporation and Rene Barbier Wines.

For more information, log on to ateneoartauction.com or call 926-6067 or 0917-8409053.