6 Things We Loved About the Sikat Pinoy National Art Fair 2014

It was supposed to be a simple visit to SM Megamall after attending the mass, when me and Ray suddenly came across the Sikat Pinoy National Art Fair 2014 at the Mega Trade hall. We had other plans but I got waaay too excited and we just had to check it out!

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Inspiration Over At The Ayala Museum Part 2

(Continued from: Inspiration Over At The Ayala Museum Part 1)


The Paintings

The third floor was an exhibit by the painter Fernando Zobel (1924-1984) entitled Journey into Space: The Visual Odyssey of Fernando Zobel. He's a Spanish - Filipino painter and businessman, and the uncle of the famous Jaime Zóbel de Ayala. His father was a patron of Fernando Amorsolo, and this exposed him to Amorsolo's tutelage and art at a young age.

I have always loved visiting art galleries but I'm really not one to pretend that I actually understand what they're trying to say hahah! This was more of an abstract/ impressionist kind of set, and when you do these things, you do not try to communicate concrete thoughts but you try to invoke a certain kind of emotion. Sometimes it's hard to understand what the painting is trying to say because you're like 'uh okay what's that straight red line doing in a sea of muddled blue and green?' LOL.

And in this aspect, I appreciate the Ayala Museum's attempt to bring paintings closer to the common audience (e.g. non-art intellectuals and shiz) by adorning the walls with some of Zobel's famous quotes and perspectives. This way, the audience is able to connect the man with the painting and somehow is able to understand the medium better.

I particularly liked the Black Series because Zobel was able to come up with dynamic images by simply using the color black as the 'muse'. It really appealed to me how the concept of 'nothingness' can come up with something beautiful (emo not intended :p). It draws you and it pulls you away.

Photo from the Ayala Museum website

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Inspiration Over At The Ayala Museum Part 1

It was a wish come true for geeks and nerds all over the metro when Ayala Museum had a free museum day last July 19. I was particularly excited because I've been wanting to visit this museum with Ray for almost 2 years now but we never got around to because the entrance is  a little pricey (p600 per person.. update: wow just learned that the price is now p425 for non residents and p225 for residents!!! nice!!). And so when Ayala Museum announced they were having a free entrance day, we just could not let the opportunity go!

We arrived a little after lunch and we had Nica and her officemate with us. The lines were loooong, almost three thousand people flocked to the museum that day! Nevertheless the it wasn't too uncomfortable, and friendly ushers were there to guide people around.

They had a unique style of registration, where you only get to enter once you tweet or post on your Facebook the answer to this question: How do you inspire everyday? My answer was: "in hindsight, I realize too that living an impassioned life would be the best way to #InspireEveryDay " Nuuks! :p

Crossroads of Civilizations

We started at the fourth floor, and I was very excited to share the amazing Gold of the Ancestors exhibit with Ray and Nica. The legacy of our pre-hispanic ancestry just never fails to make me feel awe-struck by the grandiose of the whole culture. There's also this tragic realization that these dignified people were reduced to mere slaves when the Spaniards came and that's just sad. They erased almost all traces of this culture from the succeeding generations of a large percentage of Filipinos, and that these relics are the only proof that a time like this really existed. However, it still makes me smile thinking that at the very core of each and everyone of us, a link remains that binds us to these amazing people.

It's a pity we couldn't take photos, but I do understand this policy because these items are too precious  that it would be blasphemous to damage them by mere camera flashes. So as a sign of respect I attempted no such thing (okay I think I remember attempting once but decided against it lol!)

I just got this one from their website:

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Review: Ang Nawalang Kapatid - Finding Your Darma

Update: Proving just how AWESOME this show has been, Ang Nawalang Kapatid is having a re-run! They'll be staging benefit shows from July 4-6 and 11-13, Friday to Sunday only. Screening times will be 7pm for Friday and 3pm/8pm for Saturday and Sunday. You can get the tickets for only php500 but of course there's a discount if you're a UP student. If you missed the retelling of this Mahabharata classic, now is your chance! 

I actually just bought a ticket for my sis Unai yesterday. Heheh. So go catch it! You can also read below for your review :) :) 

***

To cap off a long series of Valentine dates, me and Ray took time off from our schedules to watch Dulaang UP's "Ang Nawalang Kapatid". It was my first time to step back into Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero theater ever since I finished my undergrad course, and it was Ray's second time to watch a full theater production and so we were very excited.

Time truly changes perspectives, I used to wonder how a theater like Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero could fit into the AS building (Palma Hall) because it seemed so huge back then. But now, more than 5 years after, and after also being able to watch stage plays in other venues, I realized that it's actually quite a small place. But the love from the UP crowd always makes it a great place to be in, and is enough to house one of the country's top collegiate theater houses- Dulaang UP.

Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero theater was packed!

"Ang Nawalang Kapatid" is a very fitting way to close DUP's 38th theater season. The group just went all out in the production, routines, scoring (more lively because of the live band), cast, props, and even in promotion. It was a grand spectacle to behold! Sadly we weren't take alot of photos because it was obviously forbidden inside the theater.

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Ang Nawalang Kapatid - A Taste of Our Indian Roots

(Update feb20: Check out this link for our review!)

It's been so long since I last watched a theater play over at UP Diliman. My last play was from Ballet Philippines at the PICC and it was a musical. I realize I missed the magic of theater that movie houses just can't hope to beat. The music, the lights, the production, the set - everything is simply larger than life. You don't just watch from a screen, you feel like you're actually a part of it.

Dulaang UP has always been one of the leading theater guilds, and has been the training ground of many of successful actors and actresses both on-stage and on TV. At the end of it's their 38th season, they present "Ang Nawalang Kapatid". It is a musical based on the Indian epic Mahabharata and is a re-telling of the story of battling Kaurava and Pandava families. 

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Inspiration on the First Day of Freedom

Yesterday was my first freedom day. Yes, after 3 weeks, I finally got some real fresh air and well, real traffic. Heheh. You wouldn't believe how ecstatic I was! Seriously 3 weeks of house arrest can make you feel really down. So I went to UP for the 1st time for 2014. Sickness is a b*tch though, specially if it dwelt in your bloodstream. :( I could still feel some weakness in my knees, and I still wasn't very much up to UP long walks.

But it was fun! It was a very productive day. Finally got my cellulose fiber, got into talks with DOST-Enterprise and it's quite a promising venture. I'm thinking of really pushing it through if things go well enough. It ended with a chika-date with Moia and also a quick date with my Phelthe-love. :-)

Standing at the MRT, watching all these people rushing and all these mad cars racing each other, suddenly it all came rushing to me. House arrest tends to freeze you and your brain, but being back in the city reminded me of the MANY things that I need to be doing. It is a race against time and I must never forget. I admit I kind of started late, but it's never really too late to push for the things you really want. There's sooo much work to be done! The theme of my year will definitely be Time Management and FOCUS. And my motto is: Shoot lang ng shoot! Hahah!

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Cloud Atlas - We are All Connected (The Book and The Movie)

At the start of this year I've been searching for a new book to read, as reading has been one of my favorite ways to spend my "me" time. I had to look up some book reviews for it though because I'm looking for something new, something to take my imagination for a spin. Just like in movies, I easily lose interest when the plot or the theme gets predictable. Or maybe it's just that I want my hard-earned money to buy something that can really teach me something new.

And Cloud Atlas gave me more than I asked for. It's not just a novel, it's six (6) different stories spanning six (6) different eras. The characters are linked together by a single birthmark shaped like a comet, and a universal rule that knows no space and time.

Favorite book of 2013 :)

It was a helluvanexperience. Personally, I found it breathtaking and exhausting at the same time. Each character lived in a different era, therefore for each "chapter", one had to be accustomed to the setting, the characters, the culture, and most especially the prose. The vocabulary of the 1800's are of course, different from the 1970's, and from 2013, and Mitchell invented his own slang for the future. Mitchell, takes a delicious spin at every turn and I loved it.

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Midsummer Night's Dream by Ballet Philippines : A Delicious Taste of Ballet

(This is the first post in a series of valentine dates that me and ray had. :) Not only did we have one, nor two dates, but we had FOUR. hahah amf! There's was a pre-valentine-simplejoys date, a valentine-working-date, a post-valentine-ballet-date, and a super date!)

For my valentines gift, I've been thinking of something new to give Ray, a new experience that we've never done before. I remembered our bucket list including a wish of watching a stage play together. Incidentally I dropped by my Ensogo notifications and voila! "A Midsummer Nights' Dream" vouchers were available for an incredible discount!

Official poster to A Midsummer Night's Dream

So I proceeded to buy for the two of us, then made a really nice envelop to hold it with. I handed it to him during our ice-cream-valentines-working date last Feb 14 and we were all set to go.

Tickets in exchange for the voucher :)

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Versions: The pre-Valentines post

Something i'm really enjoying is the fusion of interests between me and ray. I like to write, he likes to shoot. When we did the Jam article i did most of the customer-experience aspects while he provided the technical inputs regarding the bus. It's all really a team effort. :)

Just recently we played with something new: art and photo-fusions. Mixed media!

That's his photo and my watercolor version of it, hehe I now realize how crude the water color looks like heehee. But I'm still proud of it bleh! :P

Because its valentines tomorrow I'd like to dedicate this post to my teammate, partner and love of my life. I totally love how we are able to bring out the best in each other and how we find various ways to make something beautiful out of our differences. This blog and this work is a testament to that.

Funny tidbit: i got jealous of this photo once. We were only going steady for a few months that time! Hehehe.

Happy hearts day everyone! This day is not just for boyfriend-girlfriend relationships but for everyone who has loved and was loved in return by people in their lives. Celebrate love! :* :* 

On With Belle de Jour for 2013 :)

Happy 2013 guys!! New Year new bloggie name! I've always loved the statement "Once We Hit The Top There's No Stopping Us", it's actually lifted from Jason Mraz's song and is one of my favorites. It feels empowering and is very positive. However the statement is waaay too long for a blog title. Hahah.

So for the start of the year, we're working with a brand new title: "Live with Delight!". I also changed the font a bit. Wee!

***

Anyhow, for a start, towards the end of last year i blogged about my planner dilemma. I've been thinking of going over Quezon City to check out the Moonleaf Planner already, but during the last week of December, I went to Powerbooks Festival Mall and got hold of the Matte Leather cover version of Belle de Jour and man I just DROOLED. It’s sexy sexy sexy! So I threw all my other qualms away and just grabbed one. Hehe!

(Heheh sorry for the photos, they're taken by my 5mp samsung wave 1 :p)

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A Cab To BenCab

The highlight of our Baguio trip is fulfilling my 2 year-old dream of seeing the Bencab Museum. This is the Museum set up by National Artist Ben Cabreras in the mountains along Asin Road, Baguio. We took a 15minute taxi ride (main mode of transpo, all taxi drivers give the exact change! lol) and weeehew hello Bencab Museum! :D :D

AMAZING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. I felt like I was in a playground hahah. It's a simple three-story building, all painted in white, and with different rooms each having a different name: Erotica Gallery, Contemporary Gallery, Philippine Contemporary Art, Print, Patio Salvador, and the Bencab Gallery.

Daylight filled almost all corners of the place and made me feel like it tries to be one with the nature that it surrounds itself with. The white walls and simple cubic rooms provided the right backdrop to the different kinds of exhibits that the museum housed. The structure in itself is refreshing and awe-inspiring at the same time.

My favorite part of the museum is the Bulol Installation (see above). It's a whole wall filled with wooden images of people in a sitting position. Those are the Bulol's- gods of our Ilocano forefathers. Carved out from age old wood, these images are known to watch over crops and ensure abundant harvest and protection against natural calamities.

"Handcarved from hardwood abundant in the region, these primitive sculptures emphasize the male and female genitalia, representing fertility and abundance…"

 I kind of felt starstruck. This is actually an altar for the ancient gods, and couldn't stop myself from paying homage.

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e-Reading or Paper-view? :-)

I did some reviewing just a while ago and was able to use my Thermodynamics textbook for the first time. The moment I opened the pages I couldnt help but smile. I missed having a real book in my hands because I've been stuck with e-books for quite a while. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm really grateful for e-books. I wouldn't have been able to read full volumes of Harry Potter or Game of Thrones if not for it (nope I'm not exactly grateful for Twilight, haha). Besides, it's really more convenient to have these around instead of bulky paperbacks. I used to think that I'd never like reading off an LCD screen but I realized it just needs some getting used to. Kindle makes a really good job of capturing the paper-feel. I'm using a Samsung Tab though (her name is Deetab :D ) and the 7" version is just right for me. But i use the Kindle app primarily for reading heehee!

Hooooowever... for a booklover, there's romance in opening the pages and taking in the scent of a real book. There's something about underlining your favorite text that 'highlight' won't match. Not to mention the random "aha!" notes you scribble here and there together with your insights, and the nostalgia that comes whenever you reread it. The texture, the scent, the experience... it's all very personal. These are the things that the e-book can't hope to match and I really wish that our next generation of readers would still be able to enjoy these. 

Nevertheless, I've always believed that technology is just there to widen our options. In as much as I would always prefer a real book, I still would like to read from anywhere I wish, and have access to a wide range of content that I don't really see on bookstores/sales. What matters anyway is how we enrich our minds and hearts with what we read. :-)

“The Book Thief”, Markus Zusak

(written june 24 2011)

When I read a book, the first few pagest are the hardest.

“Am I there yet? Am I there yet? Geez I haven’t even reached chapter 3.”

Afterwards it’s less of reading and more of experiencing.

Hearts break and flutter. Laughter emerges, suspense beckons.

I glide through the pages, I can’t even remember turning them anymore.

And then it’s over. I’m thoughtful. And somewhat tired.

Like you lived another life without even leaving your room.

Now if only things unfolded as fast in real life.

Oh God that book made me cry so hard 

***

When I was midway, I was almost comparing marcus zusak to palahniuk. The misery, the pain.

But the book was about strength of heart, strength of will, endurance.

Certainly not for the weak of heart like me. I was SOBBING for goodness sakes.

But now I realize a mistake. The Book Thief, deals with the strength of the human spirit.

Palahniuk magnifies the evil. While sprinkling it with underlying notions of strength and goodwill along the way and he’s twisted. Plain twisted. I’ll always dislike and like him. Dis/like. Lol.