‘Art has the power to connect people and uplift their spirits especially at trying times’
Text and photos by Dexter R. Matilla
Filipino artistic talent was on full display during the launch of the Ortigas Arts Festival 2022 recently at the East Wing of Estancia in Pasig City. Occupying three floors are paintings, sculptures, photography, and even gowns that highlight the overflowing creativity of Filipinos both young and old.
Now in its fifth year, Ortigas Arts Festival remains true to its goal of making art accessible for all.
“We believe that art has the power to connect people and uplift their spirits especially at trying times,” said Arch. Renee Bacani, vice-president of Ortigas Malls. “We proved that when we ran the festival during the two years under a pandemic… and now that we’re slowly recovering and embracing the new normal, we believe that there is no better time to show that Philippine art is alive and well and is for everyone to enjoy.”
Ortigas Arts Festival will run until Aug. 7, with the month-long event showcasing the many different mediums of art including painting, sculpture, film, photography, performing arts, and fashion. Local galleries include Agos Studios, Bastedor Art Project, Vmeme Contemporary Art Gallery, Linangan Art Residency, Red Lab Gallery, Thombayan Art Space, and Makiling Art Studio, as well as celebrated visual artists Rita Bustamante and Rico Lascano.
A special exhibit on National Artist for Music Ramon Santos, a pride of Pasig City and the foremost name in contemporary Filipino music, is also on display at the second floor.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Born in Film will be showing retrospectives and late-night screenings of restored Philippine films and those from National Artists. The public is also invited to participate in the 2nd Vertical Cinema Contest during the festival.
Ballet Works Manila performed during the opening and will have another performance on July 31, while the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines will be presenting some of its best designs and creations.
Works by Learning Tree Child Growth Center alumni, teachers, and students from Preschool, Grade School, and High School, will also be on show via the ArtisTree. There will also be workshops on painting, 3D art, paper cutting, paper sculptures, pottery, and oil pastel.
Ortigas Community Card members may also avail of a special pottery session led by Big Mac. Signing up for a membership card can be done by downloading the Ortigas Malls Mobile App.
“What we want in this year’s iteration is to introduce Filipinos to the works of some of the country’s best while stoking their interest and appreciation for Philippine art,” said Helen Mirasol, art patron and co-founder of Ortigas Art Festival.
“This year’s festival paints a broader stroke of Philippine art where we encompass more art forms,” adds Renato “Mang Ato” Habulan, head curator of the festival. “We want to show the diversity of talents across many disciplines that Filipino artists have and we are honored to present all of those and more through this year’s exhibit.”
Admission to the Ortigas Art Festival is free. To get the full festival schedule, follow Ortigas Art Festival on Facebook and visit its website for latest info on upcoming events and activities.
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