Life is a Canvas

Finally, the much awaited moment for Mindanao Artists has come, the result of Mindanao Art Awards-the Regional Competition of the Philippine Art Awards (PAA) 2009. The awarding ceremony was held in Misamis Oriental’s Provincial Capitol in Cagayan de Oro City. The contest was the first part of the grandest art competition in the country. Ten regional winners received a trophy and a 40,000.00 cash prize for each winner. The second part of the competition will be held in Manila in 2010 wherein 40 winning entries from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region will vie for the P 350,000.00 Grand Prize, P 120,000.00 five Jurors Choice Awards for Excellence, and P 80,000.000 two Jurors Choice Awards for Merit plus a round trip all expense paid to Shanghai, China.

My experience in this competition gave me some lessons. That in every competition, there is always a loser and a winner. I experienced both- the frustration and the ecstasy. The previous PAA was a terrible one. I did my entry, a four by six feet painting in just one week. I knew I had a beautiful concept but the execution was hurriedly done. The result was a total disaster! Losing in a competition is just a part of the game. I could easily accept it. But seeing my half-baked painting among the finest works of art in the PAA receiving center was a nightmare for me. Nevertheless, I decided to forgive myself after that unforgettable event. That was two years ago.

This year, I have allotted a month for this endeavor. But thirty days turned out to be too short to work on a bigger five by six feet canvas especially if you are not a full time painter. There were also days that I didn’t feel like working. After I had refuelled my energy, some unavoidable circumstances and glittering disturbances cropped up forcing me to drop the brush every now and then. Despite all odds, I forced myself to go back to the canvas. Happy or sad, I must work. Peaceful or disturbed I must move forward. Morning or evening, or whatever available time there is, I must paint. In short, whatever happens, life must go on. I must finish what I have started.

The day came when I have to submit my masterpiece to the PAA receiving center. I was overjoyed because I beat the deadline. Everyone was thrilled to see each other’s entry. Seeing other artists’ works gave me a notion that the judges would have a hard time choosing the best ones. Nevertheless, my spirit was high because I was satisfied with my work. Whether the judges would pick my entry or not, deep inside, I believe I was already a winner for I was able to put everything I wanted in my painting. The trophy, the cash prize, and the recognition are additional bonuses. A month later, I received a phone call informing me that I was one of the winners. That was a moment of pure ecstasy. Truly, the old adage, “the quitter never wins” makes a lot of sense.

“And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when its seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things go wrong that you must not quit.”

Art, Design and Fashion are alive and kicking at the PWC of Davao! The 3 disciplines are encapsulated in the most comprehensive academic training, studio work and international exposure in PWC of Davao’s Helena Z Benitez School of Fine Arts & Culture. As a pioneering and only CHED-accredited Fine Arts degree-granting institution in Mindanao, PWC Fine Arts proved once again its stead with a number of local, national and international awards in a period of 4 months since school year 2009-2010 opened last June.

Second Year Painting major, Eugene Canadilla, just arrived from a 3-month scholarship in Indonesia. He was the only student awardee from the Philippines who made up a global pool of artists and artisans from 30 countries across seven continents. He completed training in Indonesian arts and culture from July 20 to October 22. He also performed in the Indonesia Channel 2009’s One World, Diversed Culture, One Destiny, held at the Mangkunegaran Palace-Solo, Jakarta, last October 18. During the 3-month stint, he was a painting and sculpture artist-in-residence in the island Bali, known for its well-preserved culture since the Madjapahit Empire. The exposure gave him also the opportunity to explore the different art centers of Indonesia.

For the second time, the PWC Fine Arts Program has been cited for its
Excellence in Curricular Program of Studies in Arts & Design during the 42^nd Shell National Students Painting Competition held at the Ayala Museum in Makati last October 20. Two Fashion Illustration students won top honors in the Watercolor Category. Besting over 500 entries nationwide, Ruby Jane Mascariñas clinched the 2^nd highest place and went home richer with P 35,000.00 cash, medal and trophy. Jun Rodino Artajo was hailed Honorable Mention with a cash prize, a trophy and a medal. The two were consistent national finalists of the competition together with another PWC Painting major, Julius Lu.

At the recently concluded PRC Licensure Examinations for Interior Designers, Batch 2008 graduate and FA President,
Che Alexi Ellson, was among the 119 successful examinees who hurdled the tight 50% national passing rate. PWC’s sterling performance and training in Interior Design is further validated by its 6 interior design alumni and 2 current painting students who were fielded to the United Arab Emirates for an all-expense paid 3-month Theme Park Design contract complemented with a monthly salary, overtime fees, and an opportunity to work further in overseas projects in Europe, Egypt and around the Middle East.

Last August, Fashion Illustration students ruled the Kaniyogan Accessory Design Competition by taking eight out of the ten top finalists and bagging the Best Casual and Formal Accessories and the Over-all Champion awards with more than P 20,000.00 in cash prizes. The winning streak continued in Tagum Durian Festival’s Accessory Design feat. John Glenn Rañon, a 1^st Year Fashion Illustration major, designed and produced on-the-spot a durian clutch bag to get the nod of the judges and romp away the Grand Prix trophy.

-by Emi Englis

Ask some people about the things to look forward to in Davao and the answers come readily to mind-The Philippine Eagle, the exotic Durian, the beautiful Waling-Waling, the majestic Mt. Apo, and though not really part of Davao City, the Pearl Farm Beach Resort would always be included in the long list–perhaps because this beautiful resort is just a few minutes away from Davao City.

Nestled on a secluded Island of Samal, facing the Davao Gulf, Pearl Farm Beach Resort is a beauty of its kind. Once a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters were cultivated for their pink, white and gold pearls, the place is now a perfect getaway for people who want to unwind and commune with nature.  Aside from its crystal clear water, pristine white sand beaches, and lush greenery, the resort features architectural structure that is uniquely Filipino.  Designed by multi-awarded architect Francisco Manosa, now a national artist for architecture, this world renowned resort is a quintessential model of architectural ingenuity at one with nature.

The uniqueness of Manosa’s approach is not just about using indigenous materials in this project; it showcased a truly contemporary Filipino architecture in its form and essence.  The design itself is patterned after the traditional houses on stilts of seafaring tribes of Mindanao-the Samal and the Badjao.  Manosa cleverly integrated native materials such as bamboo, wood, rattan, nipa, and modern technology; thereby, transforming the place into a tourism landmark.  The result is a structural masterpiece that harnesses and amplifies Filipino culture and style in contrast to the colonial mentality which pervades so much in our society.

The entry sequence to Pearl Farm Beach Resort begins with the endearing Parola that never fails to capture the visitors’ attention.  Its roofs, which resemble a salakot, a traditional Philippine hat, evoke a unique tropical ambiance.   Ethnic-inspired design cottages line along the curve of the coastline.  The mixture of different indigenous materials used from roof to floor gives a cool and relaxing ambiance. Obviously, the careful planning, creative use of native materials, make the design which has its genesis from Mindanao’s rich tribal culture vibrant and distinct!

Careful attention was also given to designing not only in the outside appearance of the houses.  Arts and crafts from different ethnic tribes like Yakan, Tausug, Maranao, and Badjao punctuate the interiors of the different cottages.  This gives continuity of the plan and aesthetic pleasure.

All in all, Pearl Farm Beach Resort is an example of how indigenous materials and designs, deeply rooted in one’s heritage, can become a springboard of contemporary architecture-a skillful synthesis of innovation and tradition.  It transcends mere function.  And like a precious pearl that gives joy to many, this will serve as a catalyst for Filipino architects to design and create structures that do not only conform to the tenets of architecture or the lure of the western style and culture but above all, something that is truly unique-something that is Filipino.

At a time when Manila is rocked by controversies surrounding the questionable declaration of some personalities as National Artists, a Davao-born art talent quietly carved a niche among history’s greatest surrealists. His stuttering childlike speech, incompatible with his towering 6-foot height, sometimes amuses people. But today, Bienvenido Banez, Jr., towers all the more for achievements uncommon among Filipino artists.

Diagnosed with mild learning disability during childhood, Ben’s focus of attention has always been his art. Rightly so. In 2002, he won first place in the Asian Fellowship Painting Competition of the prestigious Vermont Studio Center launched from Vermont, USA. Last year, in New York City, where he based himself after his Vermont fellowship, he was the only Filipino among the more than seventy international, surreal visual artists featured in the grandest-ever birth anniversary celebration of John Milton and what is considered as the greatest English poem, his Paradise Lost.

Earlier, in 2004, the president and executive director of Williamsburg Art & Historical Center in Brooklyn, NYC, while viewing Ben’s painting, commented to a fashion photographer that Banez is the “greatest living surrealist from the Philippines.” This comment from contemporary Surrealism’s prime mover, Terrance Lindall, himself the organizer of Milton’s biggest birthday bash, may have been trivially said. But today it is qualified by another achievement in Banez’s career: his name, profile, and sample work recently are published in a German edition of “The International Encyclopedia of Fantastic, Surrealist, Symbolist, & Visionary Artists” or Lexikon Surreal for short authored by Gerhard Habarta. Thus, Bienvenido Bones Banez, again the only Filipino in the inventory, now appears along with Surrealism greats such as Salvador Dali, Andre Breton, Kris Kuksi, Francisco Goya, William Blake, Frida Khalo, Frank Frazetta, Pablo Picasso, Ernst Fuchs, Keith Wigdor, and Jon Beinart to name a few, in the same book.

In page 44 of Lexikon Surreal, his profile is printed in German. Translated into English, it reads:

BANEZ JR. BIENVENIDO BONES

(Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines, 1962- ) Filipino visionary, male, lives and works in the USA. Studied in the Ford Academy of the Arts in Davao City, Island of Mindanao; associate professor in the Philippine Women’s College-Davao. 2002 winner in the Asian Fellowship Painting Competition of the Vermont Studio Center, Vermont, USA., and has lived since in the USA.

What makes Banez a paradox among surrealists is his depiction of hellish conditions not as murky depths, but psychedelic sceneries where spectra of colors enthrall viewers. Figures-human, geometric or biomorphic curiosities-lose tactility and become translucent images and luminosities swirling, shimmering, or disintegrating in a world bereft of gravity.

Marvelous colors, resembling jewelry and precious stones, at closer look turn out to be viral, cellular infections, acid-chemical concentrates, or spreading volcanic lava, eating up human figures, corrupting techno systems, and contaminating the cosmos-the artist’s vision of bio-chemical warfare, pandemics, and natural catastrophe combined to destroy the Establishment. Neonlike brushstrokes snake through his canvases-flowing traffic that entangle on physical perversions and gets jammed on a plexus of human agony nestled on infernal flame.

Esthetically mesmerizing the colors are in a Banez canvas, the portrayed perversion and misery of humankind are as morbid and offensive to good taste. Apparently, the artist captures the viewer with chromatic wonder; then, in succeeding moments, pounces on his cognitive faculties with horrors of the wages of sin. This visual irony fits well with Surrealism as originally defined by spokesperson Andre Breton: Beauty must be convulsive, or nothing! This context, Banez earned his ticket to the theater of the absurd where Hieronymus Bosch and company once sat and dreamed.

It is notable that Banez, despite his psychedelic colors, is no drug abuser. His recent works indicate he evolved from common representational surrealism into surreal abstraction, his figures and images losing physical and material volume, reduced to astral constituency, something only the very rare eye of contemplation could see.

Achieving surrealism by abstraction is not common turf of surrealists down history. This is what Banez should look forward to and discover the other half of man’s nature created not to languish in murky infernal depths. It does not set him apart from his fellow Filipinos but pulls them up as artists universal as any other race.

by Phillip Somozo

My latest painting entitled "Bombings: Man's Cruelty Against Man"

In today’s modern world where opposite forces seem too show their might, massive killings happen worldwide. As I read on the newspapers and observed the poignant remains of this evil act, I couldn’t help but condemn all those monsters that seem to take pleasure in their killing spree. How and why could man develop such gluttony for brutality?

After a terrible explosion, bodies scattered around like falling debris. This is shown in my painting rendered in bloody red. The center piece is a mother desperately holding the lifeless body of her child amidst the structures wrecked by a powerful explosion.

This distressing act sows fear and hatred to every individual regardless of race and social status whose dream is to live peacefully. And while the perpetrators (represented by a man on the upper right corner) remain heartless and unmoved by the effects of their wickedness, Bombings: Man’s Cruelty Against Man will remain a universal problem.

It’s already 8:39 in the evening and I haven’t eaten my dinner yet.  I used to have my dinner at 6:00pm but due to the many deadlines I need to catch up, I forgot to take some food.  My small and big intestines are already complaining so I must go to the nearest cafeteria.  I live alone and don’t cook my food.  To prepare a meal for myself is more time consuming.

Inside the food house, a public utility driver happens to share a table with me.  While waiting for his order, he says “Eat, drive, eat, then drive again…  This life sucks!”  The food almost burst out from my mouth.  I could not help but smile on what I’ve heard.  There is some truth and some humor on his statement.  Many times in our lives, we feel as if we are on a rocking chair, always moving yet we remain on the same place.  Worse, when we feel tired and sick of the rat race.  There must be a way out. But where? There must be a good reason to live aside from working and eating.  And what is that reason?  There is some humor in his statement.  Yes.  I smiled thinking about my life too.  Paint, teach, think, do some other things, and eat, and paint again.  And the sequence is repeated over and over and over again.  At least, mine is a wider cycle.  But I sometimes get tired and feel bored about life.  Like now.  Maybe because of burn out.  Or maybe because I haven’t reached my goals yet despite the efforts.  Thank heavens!  His words enlighten me. I am not alone.  I am not totally pathetic.  And I am human.  I hate to compare because after all, life is never been fair.  Sad but true.  There is always someone who is fortunate and unfortunate than you.  When I say this, I think of those who are living in mansions and palaces … and those living in shanties.  Those who are blessed with all the abundance in life.  And those who have not eaten their meal yet.  Zooming in to physical and mental attributes of every individual, I wonder how it would feel to be born deaf, mute or blind? Or how would it feel to have an IQ of a genius plus a look of a superstar?

They say life is what you make it? But what if you can’t make the most of your life? Will you complain or smile at life? How about you? How’s life been treating you? Or shall I say, how are you treating life?

Excuse me; I have to paint now…

It’s been a while since I posted my last article.  Checked out my email and discovered a bunch of letters from various sources.  Some are worthy to read, many are spams coming from internet marketers trying to sell their stuff. I remember I once entered in their “world”, gave my email, and boooom! letters from different sources keep coming in. As I have no time for this stuff, I just delete them or ignore them. For the record, I have 1,494 unopened letters in my Yahoo mail and 2,740 unopened letters in my Gmail inbox! Maybe I would open them or delete them in due time.  As of now, I only have a very limited time to read important letters from friends and other sources.  As I checked which letter to open first, my attention was caught by this letter from Ken Brown.  Huh! the name sounds familiar.  Yes, he is the creator of Adgitize.  He informed me that I have earned $__ as an Adgitize affiliate.  True enough, as I checked my Paypal account, I received the said amount.  The money isn’t enough for me to buy a house and lot in Spain or travel to Paris or go hunting in South Africa but who would want to give me the same amount these days? After all, I did nothing but post Adgitize widgets in my website.  To Ken Brown of Adgitize, thank you very much and more power to you!

Oh, by the way, should you wish to earn dollars, why don’t you join the Adgitize network? Joining is easy and it’s FREE!  Just click this link. 

15-minute infomercial video,  2 project proposals, students grades, 5 x 6 ft. painting–all are due this month.  Probably this is my busiest month of the year.  After this post, I’m sure I’ll be missing my friends’ sites: Expressive World, I love hate America, Tomas’ Art Mirror, etc.  These are  the few sites I love reading.

Coaching is no different from joining the on-the-spot painting contest when excitement and mental stress is concerned. A day before the said event I was tasked to coach my students in an out of town painting competition. At first, I thought of not joining the competition because of the obvious reason: the information is a bit late. Nevertheless, we managed to brainstorm for a while and off we went to the nearby city to accept the challenge.

Tagum City was our destination, an hour drive from Davao City. The smaller yet beautiful and fast-improving city was celebrating its famous “Durian Festival”.

We participated in four different events: painting (watercolor/acrylic), mixed-media (various mediums), handicraft-making, and photography contest. The participants were given five hours to do their work. And while waiting, I also evaluated our opponents artworks. In my personal judgment, I knew my students masterpieces were quite standouts. True enough, we got the major awards except in mixed-media category. I like Ruby Mascarinas’ output, but the judges favored the conservative works. Despite the missed, we all went home with a big smile, after all, we got three out of four. Not bad for the day and for the very little preparation. To the Philippine Women’s College students, keep up the good work guys!

And oppps! Before I sign out, I’d like to congratulate Julius Lu, Ken Matthew Anino, and John Glen Ranon for winning the first prize for Painting, Photography, and Handicraft-Making Competition respectively! The PWC Family is proud of you!

Are you fond of reading fables?  Every child or someone with child at heart loves animal stories.  But if you don’t have that child in you now, I suggest you skip reading this topic for you may find this too good to be true.

The following stories I’m going to tell you are not simply myths.  They are true to life accounts of my good friends. An extraordinary show with ordinary animals.

Let’s begin with Roni, a priest.

One sunny afternoon.  In a garden.  He saw a cat chasing after its prey-a bird.  The cat: quick and fast, but the bird: quicker and faster than its predator. After the crawling, jumping, and running after its subject for more than ten minutes, the cat’s tongue went out; catching its breath. Unable to catch the bird and realizes it can’t outrun its prey, the cat gave up the “catch me if you can” game and left the area.  The bird, a very naughty bird as Roni describes followed the exhausted cat and landed on its back.  Not minding the provoking act of the bird, the cat can’t just help but continued to walk as the bird enjoyed a free ride.

Now, please hold that picture in your mind as we move on to the next story.

Have you ever seen a dog, a cat, and a bird eating together in a plate? Oh!? Incredible?  Believe it or not but it happened!  For Richard, a soldier, saw this with his eyes wide open-at daylight.

Richard, shared this to me after his stint in Camp Abubakkar.  A very remote area-near the woods.  In one of the houses he happened to drop by, saw an old man feeding his pets: a dog, a cat, and a crow-sharing the same food in a plate.  With great amusement, he asked the old man.

“How could it be?”

“Well,” says the old man, When they were young, I let them eat in one plate together and see to it that they share the same food harmoniously and don’t hurt each other.”

Later, each animal learns their differences.  The crow realizes that his world is into the sky and must leave his two friends.  The day comes when he begin to stretch his wings and learn to fly.  Once in a while, the cat and the dog, would look up to the sky-remembering their friend.  Once in a while, the crow would fly down and join his two friends in a meal.

Roni’s story reminds me of acceptance of defeat and humility.

Richard’s story makes me ponder about unity in diversity.

I always dream of this.  That one day, the government troops of our country, the CPP/NPA, and the MILF will share in the banquet of friendship where the main course is love, peace, and unity.

The dog, the cat, and the crow did it.

The government troops, the CPP/NPA, and the MILF?

Who knows?