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Young Star

Back to the start

- Ralph Mendoza -

MANILA, Philippines - Reunited and it feels so good — so good the reunion appeared to have the makings of a disco house party.

“Imagine a night out with your good friends,” says DayLight Studio owner Gabby Cantero. “A few drinks and good conversation, right? That’s how it was. Just a bunch of people who’ve grown fond of each other, catching up — as simple as that.”

A get-together masterminded by Cantero in cooperation with SPIN Thursdays and Cholo dela Vega’s A Different Cut, The “20/20 Reunion” was held June 16 at Today x Future in Cubao X. First held last year at The Collective, “20/20” was a group exhibition between 20 photographers collaborating with 20 artists and vice versa. “It was all about combining ideas and mediums between two artists to form one marvelous piece,” explains Cantero. “Aside from that, it (brought) people together. It was about filling gaps between the niches of the young art scene in Manila.”

But unlike last year’s flood-frenzied yet successful exhibit, this year’s reunion set out to do one thing and one thing only: party. And okay, reminisce the night away.

Photographer Joseph Pascual remembers how his parents and siblings came to his exhibit last year. “They braved the floods of Malugay St. to see my work, which was at first a little awkward but very meaningful,” says Pascual. “(Now), I thought it was interesting to see how a year’s worth of growth has done for many of us, and how we have — or haven’t — changed.”

“After seeing the outcome of the first “20/20” group exhibit, Aliver Cedillo, Mikki dela Rea, and I decided that we should make the exhibition a yearly affair,” recalls Cantero, who also notes the kinds of progress that came about since then. “Some (participants) got their photos printed on shirts for a major clothing brand worldwide. One has been making websites for international athletes and well-known musicians. A few left to study in art schools abroad. One of us has been designing for major personalities and brands in the street wear industry. Then there’s the Internet where we’re all at and publications where most of us are published regularly. Everyone’s been making waves and it’s a wonderful sight to watch.”

And while Cantero wasn’t able to put on a show this year, a party definitely made up for it. “Everyone could use a night off from tweets like, ‘WERQ,’ ‘4 more layouts. 4 more,’ ‘Revisions’ or ‘Sleep is for the weak.’”

Sleep, however, was absolutely unheard of at the party. “More disco, less hardcore electro stuff. I just wanted people to have a good time. Nothing too serious, just good ol’ fun,” says Kix Suarez, who took turns at the NuMark decks alongside DJs Kill Your Boyfriend, Katsy Lee, and Mike Lavet. “I guess I was happy The Artisan boys got to see each other again,” adds Suarez. “EJ Reyes, Christian San Jose, and I have been so busy that we really haven’t had time to sit down and discuss prod and stuff for The Artisan. So yeah, I guess thanks to Gabby, we were able to discuss some things.”

Cantero reveals that another exhibit might be in the cards soon, especially after such a turnout. “Just in case the world ends, we’re definitely doing another show next year.”

A DIFFERENT CUT

ALIVER CEDILLO

CANTERO

CHRISTIAN SAN JOSE

CUBAO X

GABBY CANTERO

KATSY LEE

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