A Refreshing Retreat at the Silangan Gardens

 

From Pinto Art Gallery, we stepped out into an expansive lawn known as the Silangan Gardens. As we walk around its open grounds, we came upon a variety of outdoor instillations of artworks.  

 

  

 

 

St. Francis Chapel

 

 

 

Partly hidden by lush flora is a small colonial-inspired chapel. We swung open the huge door for a glimpse of the old-world allure inside.  

 

 

The chapel’s side chambers house a collection of antique religious icons. The mellow colored lighting from multi-colored stained glass windows and the ivory statues make this sanctuary an intimate space for prayer. 

 

  

 

 

 

Monk’s Cottage

 

 

A narrow path from the chapel leads to the Monk’s Cottage. This space is built to feature selected fine works of art and craft items for sale.  

 

  

 

From small trinkets to sculptures, paintings and artefacts, unique items like ceramics, pottery, glass art, woodworks, terracotta sculpture, weaving, and art books can be purchased. 

 

 

 

 

Rooftop Garden

 

Following a vine-covered side staircase, we landed onto the rooftop garden which offers a breathtaking view of the glistening swimming pool and the Metro Manila skyline.

 

  

 

 

The Silangan Artist’s Cabin

 

The Silangan Gardens is home to the Silangan Foundation for the Arts, Culture and Ecology. The foundation aims to promote Philippine contemporary art through programs such fostering artist residencies and dialogues.

 

Three resident artists’ rooms providing artists with studio spaces and opportunities for production overlooks the back garden.

 

 

 

The Back Garden

 

From the Artist’s Cabin, we traversed the winding footpaths leading to the back garden. The first thing we came upon is a tuko or gecko jumping over a pool filled with water plants. 

 

  

 

Following every footpath revealed fascinating artworks at every turn. My favorite is a Datu Arellano sculpture of a man covered with snails. 

 

  

Continuing our journey, we came upon a torched-lined path leading to a bamboo cottage. 

 

  

 

Before leaving the back garden, we took another minute to listening to the rustling of leaves and chirping of the crickets. This experience commands a refreshing retreat from the usual noise of the city.

 

From the back garden, we entered  Dr. Joven Cuanang’s Ilocano-Mexican Weekend Home.

 

To be concluded…

Paete Artists Unite for a Good Cause

Paintings and sculptures by Filipino artists Bayani Ray Acala, Richard Arimado, Otep Bañes, Jovan Benito, Christine Cagandahan, Glenn Cagandahan, Odette Cagandahan, Ben Dailo, Carlo Magno, Jerry Morada, Aljo Pingol, Edwin Tres Reyes, Dominic Rubio, and Pancho Villanueva are currently on exhibit for a purpose-driven event in the lakeshore town of Paete.

Held on April 4, 2009 at the Shekinah Gallery located along J.P. Rizal Street, Paete, Laguna, the opening program began with a song-prayer led by sculptor Glenn Cagandahan. Shekinah Gallery owner Mary Cagandahan welcomed guests and thanked the Filipino artists who donated their artworks in support of the charity campaign.

Among the guests were art enthusiasts, community leaders, and Philippine contemporary art champions, led by guests of honor Galerie Joaquin owner Jack Teotico and Paete mayor Emmanuel Cadayona.

Adding caliber to the well-attended evening were Paete maestro Fred Baldemor, Paete Artists Guild President Angelo “Lito” Baldemor, pastor Iris Cagandahan, Former Paete mayor Immo Afurong, Galerie Francesca’s Suzanne Magno, Contemporary Art Philippine managing editor Tara FT Sering, and Kape Kesada owner and founder of Paete Artists Guild Dr. Nilo Valdecantos.

Dubbed as Bless the Children, the fundraising campaign is organized by the Lighthouse of Faith, a religious organization based in Paete. All proceed of the art exhibit will go to the organization’s program of providing scholarship for its 300 adopted children.

The exhibit runs until May 4, 2009. For inquiries call Shekinah Gallery at 049. 557. 23. 15 or 0922. 833. 88.71.

Click here for Part 1 –Art Heritage of Paete, Part 2 –Shopping for Paete Wood Carvings, Part 3 –Kape Kesada, Part 4 –Paete Holy Week Procession, Part 5 –Paete Artist Unite for a Good Cause

Paete Holy Week Procession

I was in San Mateo Rizal last year for the Holy Week Processions held Holy Thursday and Good Friday. This year I went to the woodcarving town of Paete in Laguna for the Holy Wednesday procession.

Arriving around late in the afternoon at the town plaza I’ve notice that people including the tourists have already gathered in front of the Church. I saw Sidney Snoek who has already found a good spot to take his shots.

Inside the centuries-old church of Paete was a festival of carrozas. The pews were purposely removed to give way to the massive carriages bearing the images of saints, via crucis celebrities and selected scenes from the Bible. It is amazing how organized these carrozas were lined up in the church.

Completely decorated with flowers and fully illuminated, standing out from the carrozas are the statues carved by the town’s artisans. Some of which I’ve learned are new while the others can be dated back to the 1600s. Old or new, the statues were exquisite.

All the statues are family heirloom and are safeguarded at all costs. I have learned from locals that to loose one is considered a grievous offense not only to the family’s reputation but to the entire town as well.

It is said that during World War II, the heads and hands of the statues were taken to the hills to hide them while the enemy torched the entire town to the ground.

According to local tradition whoever inherits the statue also inherits a rice field, at a very least a hectare in size. A large portion of the income from the field is allocated for the statues maintenance, its dress, accessories, carroza, lights and flowers when it is taken out on the processions.

The rest of the money is spent when the owner of the santo must open their house to all devotees of the statue for a whole day of feasting.

I was talking to Sidney, when the tower bells began to toll. I went to my position near the church’s entrance while leaving Sidney somewhere in the courtyard. From the church’s double door the first carroza rolled out followed by the next one while being introduced by the voice over.

The procession would wind its way across the courtyard and then through the narrow streets of the town.

I plan to stay longer to witness the entire procession but I was invited that evening to attend the launch of an event where Paete Artists Unite for a Good Cause.

Click here for Part 1 –Art Heritage of Paete, Part 2 –Shopping for Paete Wood Carvings, Part 3 –Kape Kesada, Part 4 –Paete Holy Week Procession, Part 5 –Paete Artist Unite for a Good Cause

Pinto Art Gallery in Hilly Antipolo City

 

 

In hilly Antipolo City, antiques, contemporary paintings, and mix-media art find a sanctuary in a 10,000-square meter lot at Grandheights Subdivision. This contemporary art space composed of Pinto Art Gallery, Silangan Gardens and the weekend retreat home of art patron Dr. Joven Cuanang.

 

   

  

We were in Antipolo City to see this sanctuary for contemporary Filipino art. After a brief stopover at Antipolo Church, we were back on the road heading for Grandheights Subdivision. From a quaint front door inscribed with welcoming words we entered Pinto Gallery.

 

 

Pinto is the Tagalog word for door. As name suggests, Pinto Art Gallery has been advocating Filipino Art since its establishment in 2001 “as a threshold of major art events open to all forms of contemporary art practices.” The Gallery is a venue for changing exhibits by mostly Filipino artists. 

 

  

 

  

Looking at artworks in the Gallery is just a part of the amazing experience. From a narrow pinto, the Gallery opens to a vast space. Here we walked around for hours enjoying the Refreshing Retreat at the Silangan Gardens. 

 

 

To be concluded…