Ilonggo artists explore the beauty of the outdoors
Artists may have the freedom to choose their subjects, but the outdoors can be a recurring theme. And for this year’s National Arts Month celebration, Ilonggo artists pay homage to the beauty and freedom of the outdoors.
Over the weekend, sessions of plein air paintings have made artists rediscover the outdoors of both the city and province of Iloilo.

In Iloilo City, Himbon Contemporary Ilonggo Artists Group converged at the river park known as the Iloilo Esplanade.
Harry Mark Gonzales, Gina Apostol, Vic Fario, Vic Nabor, Nick Lanes, Ariel Pineda, Anthony Castillo, Eros Endencio, Gilbert Labordo, Vincent Bulahan, Kevin Fernandez, Bea Gison, Althea Villanueva, Ningnong Acedera, John Ernie Acedera, Paul Fortunado, Sonny Tolentino, Anthony Castillo, and Edwin De los Reyes painted on-the-spot the different views found at the Esplanade.
Their works depict the various scenes around the Iloilo Esplanade including men casting their fishing rods, the multi-colorful bridge, the adjacent mangroves, and even a sculpture made by fellow artists.

In Iloilo province, Artivism Iloilo continued its environmental advocacy with a separate plein air painting session in Barotac Viejo town led by co-founders Marrz Capanang and Kristine Buenavista.
“This is to encourage artists to explore our local earth—be immersed in its beauty and fragility,” says Marrz.
The plein air painting sessions also serve as an apt way to celebrate National Arts Month even as Iloilo is still under Alert Level 3 for the pandemic.