More than 80 visual artists from various parts of Rizal province and nearby cities have found a venue for the exhibit of their masterpieces for free.
Cookie Marquez, corporate public relations manager of Robinsons Land Corporation, told Manila Bulletin that since May of 2022, the “Artablado”, which is a gallery for the works of the artists at the Expansion Area of Robinsons Antipolo, has been helping the local artists in catching up with their losses during the pandemic years.
It is because, Marquez said, the Robinsons Antipolo has not been charging the featured artists any amount for the use of the venue, electricity, and other expenses for the duration of the 15-day exhibit at the Antipolo mall.
Marquez said the mall management’s idea of featuring the province’s visual arts inside the Robinsons Antipolo for free is the mall management’s way of showcasing the talents and works of the artists for the public’s appreciation.
“Actually that’s part of our corporate social responsibility, helping the artists whose works are priceless,” Marquez, who also is in charge of Artablado at Robinsons Galleria, told this reporter during the launching of the “Habi Ni Ake”, the latest featured works of Racquel Akisha “Ake” Tomogbong-Pagulayan.
Mar Bacani, head of the Antipolo City Culture, Arts, Tourism Promotions Office of the Antipolo City government, said the Robinson’s Mall has been very supportive not only to the Rizal artists but also to the tourism and arts promotion programs of the city government.
During the Sept. 16 launch of Pagulayan’s works, which featured her intricately handcrafted designs made of sewing threads and framed in wood and glass, City Mayor Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares, III was represented by City Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan, who happens to be an art lover herself.
The Artablado exhibit featuring Pagulayan’s thread masterpieces will run until the end of September, after which another artist’s works will be showcased.
Pagulayan, who honed her artistic skills and craftsmanship starting as a helper in a garment factory at 12 years old, uses sewing threads to design her latest works.