BPI supports artists and art lovers anew in Art Fair Philippines 2023.

BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands), a staunch advocate of Philippine Arts, supports visual artists through partnerships and art lovers through the provision of greater access to artworks in art events such as Art Fair Philippines, which is coming back face-to-face from a three-year hiatus.

“As we appreciate the value of artists and their works, we also see the significance of collecting and keeping great artworks, which is why we at BPI continue to provide our support as well to art lovers who, time and time again, visit Art Fair Philippines and acquire valuable artworks,” said Jenelyn Z. Lacerna, the Group Head of BPI Unsecured Lending and Cards, Product and Sales.

Art Fair Philippines 2023, which is happening on February 17-19 at The Link in Ayala Center in Makati City, will feature over 60 exhibitors from the Philippines and overseas as the art exhibition celebrates its 10th year. It is co-presented by BPI and Ayala Land, among other corporate supporters.

To promote art appreciation and further boost the local art scene, BPI offers complimentary access to cardholders of BPI Visa Signature, Platinum Rewards Mastercard, Amore Platinum Cashback, and Gold Mastercard.

“At BPI, we consider keepers of valuable art works as art investors, as the works they acquire become part of their investment portfolio,” Lacerna said.

BPI has been the caretaker of more than 1,000 artworks by many prominent Filipino artists, such as Fernando Amorsolo, Jose Joya, and Ben Cabrera. Most of these art pieces are the country’s finest expressions of Philippine culture and are reflective of BPI’s inherent values.

“The kind of support BPI gives to art lovers provides them greater access to exclusive events such as Art Fair Philippines, which continues to showcase the country’s vibrant local art scene and helps Filipino visual artists generate support and reach a wider audience,” Lacerna added.

BPI affirms its commitment to recognize and nurture the country’s artistry and talent through its participation in events like this.

One of the many galleries featured in the art fair is Art Cube, which provides a platform for talented young artists to showcase their works before an extensive roster of art collections. The gallery, which will be located on the 5th Level, Booth No. 5, will feature the works of father-and-son Renato and Guerrero Habulan, showing a glimpse of ordinary people: iconic images of the masses, their dignity amid hardship, and as an inspiration. Renato, a post-war and contemporary painter, is one of the most influential and award-winning watercolor artists in the country. Guererro, a recipient of the Thirteen Artists Awards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, combines different figurative styles and approaches—from hyperrealism to pop surrealism to the “ready-made” images of silk screen printing.

Also featured in this year’s edition of the art fair includes Celine Lee, who has been recognized for her work, including the Juror’s Choice Award of Merit at the Philippine Art Awards in 2020. She has a diverse portfolio that includes paintings, sculptures, embroidery pieces, and multimedia works that show her innovative use of different materials and media.

Art lovers can also check out the works of Winna Go, a finalist in multiple competitions in 2018, such as the LRT Art Competition, Shell National Student Art Competition, Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Competition, and Regional Winner for Philippine Art Awards. In most of her works, she gathers inspiration from the history of the Chinese diaspora, the richness of the Chinese and Filipino culture, her identity and positionality in society, and the beauty of nature.

“We invite the art enthusiasts out there to come and join us at the Art Fair Philippines and discover the country’s artistry and talent. Check out the many participating galleries that showcase Filipino artistry at its best,” Lacerna added.

For more information, please visit the Art Fair Philippines website and follow Art Fair Philippines on Instagram (@artfairph) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/artfairph).

Hidden Gems of the MET.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York is one of the world's greatest art collections. Better known as the MET, this gallery is a point of pride for locals and a must-see attraction for visitors to the city. Art lovers flock here to admire more than 2 million works of art, from ancient Egyptian artifacts to the latest in avant-garde artistic installations. And this incredible collection has made the MET one of the world's most visited art museums.

Photo credit: Carl Newton.

The MET is home to masterpieces by some of the biggest names in art history, including Turner, Caravaggio, Degas, Manet, Renoir, and Picasso. And often, it's tempting to go straight to the best-known paintings and sculptures, especially when you're pressed for time.

But if you have a little more time to spare, we recommend avoiding the crowds that make a beeline from one famous painting to another. The MET also contains some lesser-known gems that are most definitely worth visiting. Drop off your bags at a luggage storage near the MET and check out some of these treasures. Not only will you get to avoid the crowds, but you'll also get bragging rights that you've seen parts of this extensive museum that most people never get to.

Temple of Dendur

When planning a trip to New York, you don't normally expect to find too many Egyptian temples. But that's exactly what you will find at the MET. This is a real Egyptian temple that was ordered to be built by the Roman Emperor Augustus back in 15 BCE. Moved piece by piece from Egypt when the construction of the Aswan High Dam began in 1960, the Egyptian government gifted the temple to the United States and reassembled it in the MET. That makes it one of the most significant ancient Egyptian ruins in the Western Hemisphere and a place any budding Egyptologists have to see for themselves.

Human-headed Winged Bull

In the culture of ancient Assyria, which occupied the territory known in the modern era as Iraq, lamassus were powerful mythical creatures that protected the empire from its enemies, both mortal and spiritual. Given that the Assyrian Empire collapsed in the seventh century BC, not many images of lamassus remain. But you will find some fairly spectacular examples in the MET, including a human-headed winged bull that once served as the guardian at the entrance to an Assyrian palace.

Photo credit: Thomas Eidsvold.

Thomas Cole's View from Mount Holyoke

This 1836 painting is considered one of the masterpieces of American landscape art. It is also considered the first major work of US artist Thomas Cole and was inspired by his own visit to Mount Holyoke in Massachusetts. Although it takes up a relatively small space on the MET's wall, it is often cited as an example of how American landscape painting developed during the 19th century.

Hearing Sphinx

This sculpture commemorates a legend that dates back to ancient Greece concerning a woman named Rhea who was so moved by hearing Apollo play his lyre that she created a sphinx with ears large enough to capture all the music. The sculpture captures this moment perfectly, with one ear cocked toward Apollo, and it has been described as "one of the most moving works in Western art." Seeing this piece at the MET is sure to captivate your own senses.

A Bedroom from Pompeii

The Roman city of Pompeii is rightly famous for being one of the most fascinating archaeological ruins in the world. Buried by a volcanic eruption in 79 A.D., the city was preserved under tons of ash for centuries until excavations began in the 18th century. The excavation of Pompeii is still ongoing, but the city forms one of the most stunning relics of the Roman world left on earth.

If you can’t make the journey all the way to southern Italy to see Pompeii for yourself, the next best thing might be to visit the MET. The museum is home to a reconstructed bedroom complete with authentic frescoes from the ruins themselves that were shipped to New York in the 20th century. It's amazing to see a room where people lived and slept so long ago, and it's one of the highlights of the museum's Roman collection.

Photo credit: Jouwen Wang.

Velazquez's Juan de Pareja

One of the greatest painters ever to emerge from Spain, Diego Velazquez, was commissioned by King Philip IV to paint a portrait of his slave, Juan de Pareja. It is one of the most remarkable works in the entire MET gallery, and it's hard not to be moved when viewing this painting. Not only does it evoke powerful feelings about the cruelty of slavery, but it also captures something truly special about one particular person – Juan de Pareja himself – who managed to rise above his circumstances to become a respected court painter in Madrid.

Bedroom from the Sagredo Palace

The MET houses one of the largest collections of ancient art and artifacts in the world, and it's easy to get lost in these galleries for hours. But hidden among them is a genuine gem – a bedroom from the Sagredo Palace in Venice dating back to the 18th century. The room is filled with furniture, paintings, and frescoes that you can imagine were once used by an important religious or political figure of their time. It's an exquisite work of art that deserves our appreciation, no matter how many centuries ago it was created.

Persian Prayer Niche

The highlight of the MET's highly praised Islamic collection, this prayer niche was created by an artist working in the court of the Persian ruler, Shah Tahmasp. The intricate detail and vibrant colors of this work show why it has been described as one of the most beautiful examples of Islamic decorative art ever made. Seeing this piece at the MET is sure to inspire awe and admiration in even the most seasoned art connoisseur.

Pablo Picasso's portrait of Gertrude Stein

This portrait of the iconic writer and art patron Gertrude Stein is, unsurprisingly, one of the most popular works at the museum. Painted by Pablo Picasso in 1906 when he was just 24 years old, it's a stunning representation of his style at that time. It also serves as an important reminder of how much influence Stein had on Picasso's work and on the entire development of modern art in general.

Photo credit: Rachel McDermott.

Met Roof Garden Cafe and Martini Bar

Finally, no visit to the MET would be complete without checking out its iconic rooftop garden café. This is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the museum galleries and enjoy some delicious food with amazing views of Central Park. But if you are looking for something a bit more exciting, then the Martini Bar on the roof should definitely be on your list. Here you can relax with a cocktail while admiring breathtaking views of New York City from one of the most stunning spots in town.

Conclusion

This selection of hidden gems makes it clear that The Metropolitan Museum of Art has something special in store for everyone who visits it; whether it’s an ancient sculpture, a bedroom from Pompeii, or even a rooftop bar with a view, the MET is sure to provide a unique and unforgettable experience. So plan your visit today and discover these hidden gems for yourself!

Nippon Paint announces the winners of AYDA 2021!

After months of brainstorming, preparation, hard work and several mentoring sessions, this year's run of the Asia Young Designer Awards finally came to an end with the highly-anticipated awarding ceremony. The event was held last Friday (February 11, 2022), and was streamed live via Facebook and Zoom. In attendance were the finalists and their mentors, media partners, the distinguished panel of judges comprised of world-renowned architects and interior designers, and representatives from Nippon Paint Philippines led by its General Manager, Mr. Michael Alfred Francisco.

AYDA 2021 Awarding Ceremony.

With its theme "FORWARD: Amplifying Empathy Through Design", the challenge for this year's participants to the Asia Young Designers Awards was clear - designs should evolve from one-dimensional spaces to address the ever-changing consumer demands without sacrificing nature and the environment. An overwhelming number of students answered to the challenge, with entries coming from schools all over the country. These entries were eventually shortlisted to ten for the Interior Design category and ten for the Architecture category.

AYDA 2021 Finalists - Architecture Category.

AYDA 2021 Finalists - Interior Design Category.

For each category, two major awards were given - the Silver Award with a cash prize of Php 30,000 and the Gold Award with a cash prize of Php 50,000. The Gold Award recipient will also be representing the upcoming regional summit to compete against exemplary Architecture and Interior Design students across Asia. 

Here are the winners of the major awards:

Silver Award for Architecture - AFLOAT by Darwin Aquino.

Silver Award for Interior Design - Namnama Community Hub by Nuri Hong.

Gold Award for Architecture - Tagum City Garden by Karen Joy Robines.

Gold Award for Interior Design - Marahuyo Design Camp by Moira Kayla Ramiro.

Aside from the major prizes, special awards were also given to the participants in both categories:

Best Colour Choice in Architecture - Fitzgerald Eyas.

Best Colour Choice in Interior Design - Mary Margareth Calvo.

Best Green Innovation in Architecture - John Gabriel Espiritu.

Best Green Innovation in Interior Design - Kizzie Marie Pacaro.

People's Choice in Interior Design - Moira Kayla Ramiro.

People's Choice in Architecture - Juan Paolo Aguilar.

The mentors and the participating schools and universities also received special awards. For the Interior Design Category, Interior Designer Candice Arboleda was hailed as the Best Mentor, while De La Salle College of Saint Benilde and the University of Santo Tomas were awarded Best College/University and Best Supporting College/University respectively. 

In the Architecture Category, Architect Matias Baring was given the Best Mentor Award while the Best College/University and Best Supporting College/University awards were given to the University of Mindanao and Bulacan State University respectively. Finalists to the AYDA 2021 were also awarded with Php 10,000 each.

Ahead of the AYDA 2021 Awarding Ceremony, Maxine Loyola Naval from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines was hailed as the first-ever AYDA TV Correspondent. She was awarded a cash prize of Php 15,000 and had the honor of co-hosting the AYDA 2021 Awarding Ceremony. 

First-ever AYDA TV Correspondent - Maxine Loyola Naval.

Congratulations to all the winners! We are looking forward to see the Tagum City Garden and Marahuyo Design Camp take center stage once again in the regional summit of the Asia Young Designer Awards!

Watch the AYDA TV Correspondent Awarding Ceremony here, and the AYDA 2021 Awarding Ceremony here. 

For more information about the Asia Young Designer Awards, visit the Nippon Paint AYDA official website. 

Follow AYDA on social media for updates: 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nipponpaintaydaph

Twitter - https://twitter.com/aydaph

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nipponpaintaydaphl/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl1bcAyX7GN-IpEaAh1BoNA

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@aydatvphilippines

AYDA TV | The Search for the First Ever AYDA TV Correspondent.

Are you an aspiring broadcast journalist or TV host? A vlogger perhaps, or someone who loves making videos of oneself? If you love hamming it up for the camera and enjoy talking and engaging with people, then this side of the AYDA competition might be just for you!

AYDA is looking for its first ever TV Correspondent!

This year, the Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA) opens its doors to students outside of Architecture and Interior Design in the search for the first ever AYDA TV Correspondent. If you're currently a student at a school that will participate in this year's AYDA competition, with a bright and pleasing personality and know how to make social media work for you and the school that you represent, then you have a shot at becoming an AYDA TV Correspondent! You get to take home a cash prize, too!

Anyone can be an AYDA TV Correspondent as long as you meet the following requirements:

• You are currently enrolled in any course in your school 
• Your school participates in AYDA 
• You are not participating in the main competition (to avoid conflict of interest) 
• You are officially endorsed by your school

Each school can endorse two representatives - one trainee for the Architecture category, and another for the Interior Design category.

Aspiring TV Correspondents must fill out this form to join. You also need to submit three videos which covers the following:

1.  Introduce, highlight, and cheer for your school 
2. What does the #AYDA2021 theme of FORWARD: AMPLIFYING EMPATHY THROUGH DESIGN mean to you? 
3. Invite and encourage architecture and interior design students of your school to participate in the main competition

Be creative with your videos! 

Videos sent in by AYDA TV Correspondent trainees will be judged as follows: 50% for content and 50% for creativity. Make sure to get your message across clearly and creatively and you might make it to the top 10!

The student hosts of Asia’s premier design competition will be determined after the Top 10 applicants to a final interview with the finalists of Asia Young Designer Awards 2021.

Apply as an AYDA TV Correspondent now and get a chance to win ₱15,000 cash! The winner will also be invited to host the AYDA 2021 National Awarding Ceremony. Even your school will receive a prize for supporting you!

For more details, visit the Nippon Paint AYDA official website.

Follow AYDA on social media for updates:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nipponpaintaydaph

Twitter - https://twitter.com/aydaph

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nipponpaintaydaphl/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl1bcAyX7GN-IpEaAh1BoNA

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@aydatvphilippines

 

Asia Young Designer Awards launches its theme for 2021.

Still on a high from the AYDA 2020 grand finale, Nippon Paint once again opens its doors to budding architects and interior designers to give them a shot at the prestigious Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA).

Now on its fourteenth year running, the Asia Young Designer Awards aims to cultivate the next generation of talents through cross-learning experience and networking with industry professionals, while providing them a platform to showcase their work and realise their fullest potential. 

AYDA 2021 Theme Launch.

This year's theme is "FORWARD: Amplifying Empathy Through Design" and aims to challenge the new breed of architects and interior designers to rise above and grow beyond designing one-dimensional spaces while keeping the demands of consumers in mind, as well as important factors such as sustainability and caring for the environment.

A legend in the industry - Architect Jun Palafox.

AYDA 2021 officially kickstarted with the theme launch, which was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, and attended by students and mentors from 34 schools all over the country, as well as the judges, partners, and members of the media.

One of the esteemed guests was Architect Felino "Jun" Palafox, Jr., - environmental planner, humanitarian, legendary architect and the President and Founder of the Palafox Architecture Group, Inc. Also in attendance were Architect Richard Garcia - Senior Partner and Vice President of Visionarch, and Interior Designers Cynthia Almario and Ivy Almario - the powerhouse duo of the Atelier Almario Corporation.

Registration for AYDA 2021 is ongoing and will be open until October 15, 2021.

Do you have what it takes to be the best Young Designer?

For more details, visit the Nippon Paint AYDA official website.

Follow AYDA on social media for updates:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nipponpaintaydaph

Twitter - https://twitter.com/aydaph

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nipponpaintaydaphl/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl1bcAyX7GN-IpEaAh1BoNA

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@aydatvphilippines

Filipino resilience and creativity shine in the 2020 Asia Young Designer Awards.

A few weeks back, I had the honor of witnessing the much-awaited finale for the 2020 Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA). One of Asia's leading design competitions, the Asia Young Designer Awards was first launched in 2008 as part of Nippon Paint's vision to nurture the next generation of design talents. Since then, the award has become a motivational tool for Architectural and Interior Design students to develop their skills and hone their talents, work with and learn from key players in the industry, and meet fellow Architectural and Interior Design students across the region. 

Asia Young Designer Awards 2020.

The awarding ceremony, albeit held virtually, was truly an exciting one. I had the chance to see such amazing and interesting designs, and get to know the story behind each and every one of these impressive works. This year's theme was Forward: Human-centered Design, which calls for an innovative approach to problem-solving that starts with the people you’re designing for, and ends with a new solution to meet their unique needs.

Representing the Philippines were Paul John Jandoc from the University of Baguio and the gold winner for Architecture, and Margaret Therese S. Hagad from the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde and the gold winner for Interior Design. 

A glimpse of Paul John Jandoc's "Silong".

Paul's work was entitled "Silong", which means "to take shelter" in the Tagalog vernacular. "Silong" is Paul's straightforward solution to housing and shelter issues, especially during these trying times. The overall idea of Paul's masterpiece is to strengthen the community bubble and to find ways for the community to commune and interact, not only with each other but more especially with nature.

Margaret Therese Hagad's masterpiece - "Bagasse: Mountain Resort".

Meanwhile, Margaret Hagad's work explores the relationship of neuroscience and interior design to give emphasis on spatial memory, all in support of hospitality and sustainability. Entitled "Bagasse: Mountain Resort", Margaret describes her work as a sanctuary of wellness and wilderness, a place for learning, protection, and discovery. Margaret's masterpiece was hailed as the Best Sustainable Design in the Interior Design Category.

Despite the pandemic, AYDA and Nippon Paint continue to provide opportunities for budding architects and interior designers to showcase their talents and push their design boundaries beyond the norm. I was truly impressed with the designs from the recently-concluded awards ceremony, and I am definitely looking forward to see more of them in AYDA 2021.

Van Gogh Alive - The Experience.

Back in 2016, on our second winter in Korea, Yue and I had the chance to visit the Van Gogh Cafe at Lotte World Mall in Seoul. It's the world's first official cafe affiliated with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and the closest we've ever been to Van Gogh's works. The cafe showcases replica of Van Gogh's masterpieces, around 700 of them, as well as various relics such as Van Gogh's tobacco pipe and letters to his brother, Theo. Yue developed an interest for Vincent van Gogh and his artwork during our brief stay at the cafe, especially with Van Gogh's self-portraits.

Fast forward to October 2019, when news broke out that Van Gogh Alive is coming to Manila. As soon as we heard the news and saw teaser videos of Van Gogh Alive, we made plans to see the show during the semestral break. I booked tickets as soon as they were available online, and luckily, I was able to secure slots on October 29 for my mom squad and I, and our kids.

We went to see Van Gogh Alive!

Squad goals! :)

Van Gogh Alive is a one-of-a-kind exhibition. It's a multi-sensory experience which gives viewers the unique opportunity to experience Van Gogh's artistry through sight and sound.

He was literally the first in line and the first to enter the 12:30 pm exhibition that day. 

Selfie while waiting for the door to open. :)

More of Van Gogh's masterpieces after the jump!

Seoul Searching | Art, Architecture, and All Things Hallyu at Digital Media City.

If you're a KDrama fan who enjoys visiting filming locations, or a KPop fan who wants to take part in music programs and take a chance at seeing your favorite KPop group perform live, then it is imperative that you include Digital Media City in your Seoul itinerary.

Located in Sangam-dong in the district of Mapo, Digital Media City is an industrial cluster of world-class digital media and entertainment companies. This area was constructed in 2006 across 140 acres of land, with aims of becoming the new epicenter for Korean wave (otherwise known as Hallyu) content and production.

On our most recent trip to Seoul, Yue and I got to experience Hallyu on a totally different level as we explored Digital Media City - its vicinity, the buildings located in the area, and the ultra-modern sculptures for which this place is also known for.

'Square M-Communication', sculpture by Young Ho Yoo.

Ji Sung and Hwang Jung Eum in Kill Me, Heal Me.

Case in point, the Square M-Communication - a gigantic sculpture smack dab in the middle of DMC's Sangam Cultural Square. An artwork that represents the symbolic meeting of people through the use of media, this sculpture made a special appearance in the 2015 movie Avengers: Age of Ultron. This landmark was also seen in Korean dramas such as I'm Not a Robot, Pinocchio,  and Kill Me, Heal Me - one of my favorite Kdramas of all time.

'They', sculpture by Lee Jin Joon.

Yoon Shi Yoon in The Best Hit.

More of Digital Media City after the jump!

Seoul Searching | Teseum Teddy Bear Theme Park.

One of my favorite Korean dramas of all time is Princess Hours, which first aired in 2006 and starred my favorite Korean actress, Yoon Eun Hye. I loved the drama so much that I've even dreamed of flying to Jeju Island so that I can visit the teddy bear museum which was featured in the drama. However, a trip to the island is not possible at this time - budget-wise and schedule-wise.

But as luck would have it, I need not fly all the way to Jeju just to see the teddy bears. Apparently, there's a teddy bear museum here in Seoul, and it's just a few subway stations away from where we live! I was over the moon, all the more after receiving an invitation from the museum to come and visit!

Sleuth = group of bears.

And so yesterday, Yue and I went to nearby Jongno to visit the Teseum Teddy Bear Theme Park. Located near Exit 6 of Dongmyo Station, this sleuth (aka group of bears) is the first thing you'll see when you emerge from the subway station.

Off to the bear cave!

This cave-like structure is the entrance to the museum, and as you descend the stairs you'll be greeted by rows upon rows of cute and colorful bear statues.

To the bear cave, we go!

More of Teseum after the jump!

Seoul Searching | Under Stand Avenue.

With the ever-growing popularity of Korean dramas, filming locations in South Korea have become must-go destinations among tourists - whether they're hardcore Kdrama fans or not. I fall under the first category, and have been to several Kdrama filming locations during my previous trips to the Land of the Morning Calm.

Now let me tell you about this area in Seongdong-gu, our neighborhood, which is slowly becoming a Hallyu hotspot. I'm talking about Under Stand Avenue, which I have mentioned in passing in one of my previous posts.

Under Stand Avenue.

More of Under Stand Avenue after the jump!

Seoul Searching | Revisiting Hongdae: Trick Eye Museum + Cafe de One Piece.

Remember our trip to Hongdae last year and how this fun and funky neighborhood immediately and absolutely swept me off my feet? I was so enamored by this place that I made a resolve to bring my husband here the next time we visit Seoul. That plan finally pushed through last winter when we revisited Hongdae on New Year's Day. Our main agenda was to visit the Trick Eye Museum, as per Yue's request.

A 3D interactive gallery, the Trick Eye Museum first opened its doors in Hongdae in 2010. The museum features paintings that make use of the 'trompe l'oeil' (trick of the eye) technique, which gives 2-dimensional paintings the illusion of being in 3D.

Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae.

Everything in this museum is touchable, and guests can freely interact with the artworks and take photos to their hearts' content. Most of the paintings have sample pictures on how you should pose so that you can achieve the 3D illusion, and there are arrows and markers on where you should stand, sit, or lie down so that you can get the best shot.

Here are some of my favorite photos. As you can see, the boys had a blast posing with the paintings and Yue really enjoyed hamming it up for the camera. :)

Yue is trapped!

Hi ho Silver, away!

Surfing with winter coats on, haha!

More photos after the jump!