Fly away at the 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival is back to take you to infinity and beyond at the Clark Freeport Zone this weekend. Watch aeromodeling demonstrations, competitions, ultralights, kite-flying, and paraglider pilot and skydiver demonstrations in the spirit of tourism and the aviation industry. The four-day event is packed with activities but the highlight is the parade of hot air balloons of different shapes, sizes, and designs from 15 countries around the world. The hot air balloons will take flight this morning and tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., with the Hot Air Balloon Night Glow at 5:30-6 p.m. An OPM concert will be held at the end of tonight’s festivities, and a fireworks display will round out the event tomorrow evening.
Walk this way at Livin’ La Vida Imelda
Carlos Celdran is known for being the “Damaso†guy, but many do not know that prior to the incident, he has been the man behind Walk This Way, a one-man guided tour of historic places in the Philippines. One of these is Livin’ La Vida Imelda, a tour of the CCP Complex and the rise and fall of the Marcoses, especially Imelda. The tour is quite popular that it was featured in The New York Times last October, and started performances at Silverlens Gallery. The show has been going on for quite some time, but a new season has just started and it might be a good idea to watch before Celdran goes to jail. The show is wildly enlightening and entertaining, with a complete cast that will make you laugh so hard, as well as a minimalist stage design by artist Eric Quebral. Shows last until March 14; for tickets, call Kath Punongbayan at 0916-3358018.
Artist Awards’ Jericho Vamenta launched his first solo exhibit at the Altro Mondo early this month, but more people should be exploring the works of this artist, who was the grand prize winner of last year’s Philippine Art Awards. His first exhibit, “Everyday Epiphanies,†explores the domestic domain, with trippy touches to an otherwise serious collection. The artist was inspired by domesticity and it shows in the intricate lines and expert use of sgraffito, an Italian method of applying plaster in contrasting colors. Everyday Epiphanies will last until March 8 at Altro Mondo, 3/F Greenbelt 5.
Support the 13 Artists at the CCP
The CCP, the house that champions local talent, continues to support young artists yearly with the 13 Artists Award, a recognition given to those who break away from the conventional and “familiar modes of art-making.†2012’s awardees were Joey Cobcobo, Marina Cruz, Kiri Dalena, Riel Hilario, Robert Langenegger, Michael Muñoz, Wawi Navarroza, Jan Leeroy New, Kaloy Olavides, Renan Ortiz, Mark Salvatus, Rodel Tapaya, and Costantino Zicarelli. The artists launched an exhibit last October and will wrap up tomorrow, so head on over to the CCP before they dismantle the exhibit. Awardees have become big names in the art scene, so you better catch a preview before these artists shape the contemporary art scene in 2013.
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