Crimson Hotel Filinvest City welcomes June with artists celebrating the LGBTQIA+ spirit
Since the 1990s, the Philippines has dedicated the month of June to celebrating the LGBTQIA+ Community with Pride March. This peace protest calls attention to the ongoing concerns queer folks continue to face and among them is having safe spaces. For many individuals belonging to the community, a safe space is where they are joined by individuals who support them, allowing them to feel loved and be free. One of the many spots that declared itself as a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals is Crimson Hotel Filinvest City as it launches its “Happy to be Here” offerings with a special exhibit and treats in honor of the LGBTQIA+ spirit.
Portraits of universal truths
To mark the beginning of Pride Month in a vibrant tone, the hotel brings together four LGBTQIA+ artists for an art exhibit dubbed “Color Parade.” South Arts Festival’s Drake Pagulayan, Mick Barreto, Nathaniel San Pedro, and Rebie Ramosobring their past masterpieces together as they weave a story that reflects their experiences as queer artists.
Rebie merges the traditional and modern with her artworks first made with photography and then rendered with paint. From a personal letter for the lives lost during the pandemic to different expressions of femininity, Rebie’s pieces depict a beautiful story that many will find relatable.
“The LGBTQIA + Community needs representation,” Rebie says. “It is important for people to see how the LGBTQIA+ Community also try to communicate their identities and the things that are important to them.”
Ballerinas take the spotlight in Mick’s artworks. This idea stemmed from his past charity work where one of his artworks was given to a child without a left leg. In his canvas, the dancers on point gracefully pose in vivid backgrounds, with gold leaf elements to make the art pieces pop.
“Painting has been a way for me to cope,” Mick says. “I want people to be inspired when they see my painting.”
Young artist Drake’s inspiration is hailed from a dark moment in his life dealing with his identity. In his works, viewers will see men with halos and even an illustration of the gods Bulan and Sidapa from Philippine mythology.
“It seems a bit grim,” Drake says about his pieces. “But I also want to show a light of hope for everyone. I want to show that I made it out during that dark time in my life. I want to show that out of that place, there is light.”
Shifting from doing ecclesial artworks, Nathaniel looks at nature, particularly the birds, for his artworks. His colorful pieces present his mastery of texture and play on the palette as he presents a story of local avifauna losing their homes.
Rainbows in different forms
Pride is also a celebration. And to do just that, the hotel is serving special sips and eats this month of June. LGBTQIA+ folks and allies can help themselves with three new cocktails that truly capture the vivid and irrepressible spirit of Pride: the delightfully coffee-infused Love is Love at Alibi Bar and Lounge; a spectacular mix of blueberries, strawberries, and rose syrup courtesy of Baker J’s La Vie en Rose; and Purple Paradise at Firehouse Pizza, which is a refreshing blend of gin and calamansi liqueur.
DJ Mike Lavet is also set to bring beats to Alibi Bar and Lounge on June 9, 17, and 25. Finally, what one shouldn’t miss is the colorful confectionery creation by the team at Baker J—the visually stunning and tastebud-tempting Rainbow Croissant.
Visit www.crimsonhotel.com/manila and @crimsonfilinvestcity on Instagram to know more.
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