art exhibit – Jellybeans in the City

Project Hulmahan Exhibit at The Manila Hotel

From May 8 to 20, Project Hulmahan is setting foot at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery. The art exhibit features a diverse range of artworks such as sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces—all using shoe molds—created by both established and emerging artists who share a passion for helping others through their art.

“We looked for volunteer artists by posting publicly on Facebook who were willing to paint or make any kind of art out of hulmahan [shoe molds] that are no longer being used because the pandemic hit the struggling shoe industry in Marikina, the Shoe Capital of the Philippines,” relates Bernardo. The call for volunteers had a positive response that hundreds of artists all over the Philippines expressed interest. The Manila Hotel’s creative consultant Rachy Cuna, National Artists Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and Kidlat Tahimik, sculptors Pete Jimenez, Jonathan Dangue, Julie Lluch-Dalena, and thespian Dolly De Leon are some of the participating artists whose works are featured in Project Hulmahan.

Project Hulmahan is a brainchild of Zena Bernardo, one of the members of Ladies Who Launch (LWL) and one of the co-founders of Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya. Ms. Bernardo met with shut down shoe manufacturers in her hometown, Marikina, and their group purchased almost 500 pairs of shoe molds with the intention of transforming them into artworks to earn funds for community- based activities.

“It is fitting that The Manila Hotel collaborates with inspiring ladies, as the Grand Dame celebrates ladies, especially mothers, in the month of May”, says Marvin Kim Tan, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Manila Hotel. Ladies Who Launch is a four-woman team made up of Zena Bernardo (mother of Ana Patricia ‘Patreng’ of the famed Maginhawa community pantry), Dolly De Leon, internationally-acclaimed actress, Judith Albano, and Jasmine Ong. They were the founders of the community kitchen, which assisted many people during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The proceeds from the artworks will benefit the advocacy efforts of these three organizations: Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya for community kitchen and livelihood programs, The Community Kitchen Project for nationwide disaster response, and a community-based art school for kids.

“Sa akin napaka-deep ng story ng [Project] Hulmahan. We want to give dignity back to the community; we consider them as partners in our community-based projects and not beggars. We may not be popular, but we want to be transparent and accountable. [Project] Hulmahan is about molding a person and molding a society. The success of this project will depend on working together and pooling resources so we can ensure that those in need have access to necessities during these challenging times,” says Bernardo.

Project Hulmahan is on display at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery until May 20, 2023. Admission is free.

To culminate the fundraising endeavor, a grand auction will be held at Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel on May 21 from 6PM to 11PM. This is by invitation only.

About The Manila Hotel

The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 515 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms. Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with The Manila Hotel Spa and Health Club. It has 6 dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure: Café Ilang-Ilang which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila—it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, breads, chocolates, and pralines.

Details and images provided in a recent press release.

Manila Hotel showcases artfully crafted Easter Eggs for Hatch 5th Edition

The Manila Hotel, in collaboration with Manila Bulletin, is bringing back HATCH for the upcoming Easter season—a one-of-a-kind exhibition of exquisite Easter eggs. Displayed as a focal point of the Grand Lobby of the hotel, guests will be treated to a delightful display of novel collaboration of Filipino artists.

HATCH: The 5th Edition showcases 18 individually designed acrylic eggs showing a variety of creative styles and distinct personalities of Filipino contemporary artists who hail from diverse disciplines. The exhibit aims to promote the local art scene and highlight the creative brilliance of local artists. Each Easter egg has an own narrative to tell, much as the artists adapted their separate distinctive mixed media approaches.

Featured artists include: Addie Cukingnan, Agi Pagkatipuna, Al Perez, Aner Sebastian, Carlito Ortega, Carlo Magno, Cindel Tiausas, Carlos Cee Cadid, Demet dela Cruz, Migi Sebastian, Egai Fernandez, Emmanuel Nim, Jinggoy Salcedo, Margie Organo, Maria Magdamit, Migs Villanueva, Monnar Baldemor, Reen Barrera, Remy Boquiren, Roger “Rishab” Tibon.

In 2020, Manila Bulletin won the gold award for HATCH during the 55^th Anvil Awards. The exhibit moved from city to city where visitors were introduced to an exceptional showcase of Filipino artistry.

HATCH will be on display at the Grand Lobby of The Manila Hotel until April 23, 2023.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Book your stay at The Manila Hotel via Klook.

Filipinos in the Gilded Age at the Leon Gallery

I’m the proud mom of a self-proclaimed art freak. My baby girl, Mica, has been going on and on about this art exhibit in Makati. Since I found myself with a bit of free time, I decided to indulge her new interest and together, we checked out the Filipinos in the Gilded Age exhibit at the Leon Gallery.

Walking into the gallery is like being transported back in time. The gallery was dressed up as a well-appointed colonial room, making it feel like we were stepping into a 19th-century Filipino home. Mica’s eyes lit up as she eagerly pulled me towards the paintings, her excitement contagious.

The exhibit features artworks of Filipino artists during the 19th century, showcasing the oeuvre of illustrious ilustrados such as Juan Luna, Damian Domingo, Jose Taviel de Andrade, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, among others. These pieces depict scenes of colonial Philippines as well as the faces and views encountered by these artist-ilustrados in their European travels.

Mica waxed poetic about Hidalgo’s sweeping seascape and Luna’s brooding portrait of a Spanish noblewoman, her eyes wide with admiration and her words tumbling out in an enthusiastic rush. I found myself particularly drawn to Hidalgo’s impressionistic depictions of women in natural settings, their ethereal beauty captured with delicate brushstrokes. Equally captivating were the anito-ish renditions of religious icons, blending indigenous spirituality with colonial influences.

The exhibit raised intriguing questions about identity and artistic expression. It highlighted how these Filipino artists, inspired by the Hapsburg imagination and the beauty of the Baroque and Rococo styles, managed to blend Western techniques with their own cultural narratives. This fusion of influences is a testament to their resilience and creativity, forging a unique Filipino identity in the face of colonial domination.

As I stood before these masterpieces, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey of our ancestors—how they adapted, resisted, and ultimately created something profoundly their own. The exhibit seeks to provide this generation’s new breed of artists a glimpse into the legacy of past masters and a peek into the struggles of Filipino artists in forging an identity amidst colonial rule.

On the 155th birthyear of José Rizal, the consummate and quintessential ilustrado, we salute all his comrades in the arts. The exhibit beautifully honors their contributions and the rich cultural heritage they helped to shape.

Our visit to the Filipinos in the Gilded Age exhibit was a deeply enriching experience. It not only allowed me to bond with Mica over our shared appreciation of art but also offered us both a profound connection to our history and heritage. As we left the gallery, Mica’s excitement was palpable, her mind buzzing with new ideas and inspirations.

Filipinos in the Gilded Age is on show at the Leon Gallery located at G/F Corinthian Plaza, Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City until July 20. Entrance is free. Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply curious about our nation’s past, this exhibit is a must-see.