National Arts Month 2017

Here is how I celebrated February, or for the gladness of artists and art enthusiasts, the National Arts Month.

Last Full Show: Danilo Dalena Retrospective

Filipino mixed media artist Danilo Dalena returned to the Cultural Center of the Philippines after a 26-year hiatus with his paintings, drawings, sculpture, and installations "referencing unseemly acts and antics in seedy movie houses." 

Curators Claro Ramirez, Jr. and Eileen Ramirez added that, "While loosely taking on the structure of cinema with establishing sequences, transitions, freeze frames, and denouements, LFS is posited as a grand unfolding rather than definitive account."

Noli Me Tangere: The Opera

National hero Jose Rizal's one-half of world renowned political novels revisited the CCP after decades courtesy of J&S Productions Inc., in cooperation with Ayala Foundation. It was written by the late Filipino National Artists Felipe de Leon (music) and Guillermo Tolentino (libretto in Filipino.) 

I was fortunate to watch it for free together with my best friend. The actors who portrayed Ibarra and Maria Clara committed to their parts and hit all the right notes but not as much as Sisa's actress was. She blew everyone away! I wish some brave souls would develop her own storyline/spinoff. 

BitterXSweet Tour at Ayala Museum

For the first time, I got a chance to be a museum tour guide! Finally I ticked it off my bucket list thanks to Ayala Museum's volunteer program. I was the tour guide in the "bitter" part of the Valentine's edition tour where I walked about 10 guests to different dioramas depicting the painful moments in our history (i.e. Trade with Chinese and the Chinese Massacre, Sultan Kudarat's Defense, Jose Rizal's love stories, Gen. Antonio Luna's assassination, the Japanese Occupation and Death March.)

Escolta Block Party

I dragged a good friend to spend the night partying at Escolta, considered to be the Queen

Street of Manila in days past. It was a great partying with a lovely and inclusive community. We had sausage and beer while dancing the night away. Heck, I used Facebook Live more than I should or ever will. There were also art shops and DIY merchandise to take home as souvenirs. 

Artist Talk: Natee Utarit

Another perk of being an Ayala Museum volunteer is to get exclusive access to artist talks. That's how I met Thai contemporary artist Natee Utarit whose works heavily represent his criticisms of Western art and its influence on Eastern Art. Rightfully so, the elements in his towering paintings featured in "Optimism is Ridiculous: The Altarpieces" are a mix of Christian and Buddhism symbols.

Art Fair Philippines 2017

This year promised to be the biggest yet with four floors of galleries and unsurprisingly, bigger areas for National Book Store and Bench. For better or worse, it has become uncontrollably crowded, making you wish that they would move to a bigger venue next year.

The biggest reveal of the night was meeting world renowned Filipino (glass) sculptor Ramon Orlina in his exhibit. Unlike his goof friend BenCab, he wasn't a snob. 

Casa Manila Tour

Another good friend accompanied me in Intramuros where we toured a heritage house, Casa Manila. The interiors and exteriors were (obviously) Spanish-inspired but it was nice to learn that ceramics from Japan and China, and furniture (i.e. chandeliers) from the rest of Europe also adorned the house.

Interestingly in the receiving area, connecting rooms were allotted for the old maid and a visiting relative (guest room) who was often a single man. We couldn't help but be intrigued with the 'could-have-beens' and 'have-beens' in those adjoining rooms during the old times! *wink*

Manila Transitio

Manila's prodigal son Carlos Celdran and his tourism group, Walk This Way, initiated a lovely community gathering at Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros (beside my alma mater PLM) which included a do-as-you-please itinerary. 

Highlights of the night included Kundiman concert atop the Baluarte, burning of Chinese wishing papers (a confusing part of the night,) and the performance of Tres Marias, a lovely group of OPM icons Lolita Carbon, Bayang Barrios, and Cookie Chua. Think People Power anniversary celebration without the hate and with all the picnic baskets.

In all, my February weekends have been restless but I didn't complain. And I never will. For sure I won't schedule any out-of-town or out-of-country trips for succeeding Nat'l Arts Month!

Lisa Macuja's 'Tutu' Cents

I had the pleasure of listening to Philippines' Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde when she shared her success story to college students last month.

As expected, her journey to the center of the stage was not smooth-sailing. At 14, she knew she wanted to pursue ballet (contrary to her parents desires.) She convinced them to give her two years to complete ballet training in communist Russia. If that didn't work out, she promised to return here and attend formal school.

"Like starting in arithmetic and getting thrown to calculus," was how she recalled her beginnings in ballet. Being the only neophyte among advanced European students, she said that her teacher cried in frustration, "they gave me a monkey from the Philippines."

When she returned home at 16, Lisa said she wasn't casted in her first production but she knew better than to cry. Looking back, she said that situation made her "work even harder." 

Fast forward to 2017 when Lisa has officially retired from ballet but still actively runs Ballet Manila.

Through all those years, here is how Lisa sums up her journey:

• Follow your heart, it will never leave you astray
• Ask yourself, "What am I willing to sacrifice?" Be willing to pay the price of your dreams
• When you wake up in the morning and you don't look forward to what you're doing that day, it's time to quit
• Sustain and maintain even after you have achieved so much
• Writers leave behind books; singers, songs; composers, score; artists, paintings; photographers, photographs. Dancers leave behind a memory--that moment when they are on stage. They perfect a moment without even saying a word
• There was a time when I wanted to give up the performance but there was never a time that I felt I wanted to give up ballet
• Follow Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hour rule. You need to dedicate at least 10,000 hours of your life to achieve mastery in a field.

Aside from being a world renowned performer, Lisa is also a generous life coach. With her toes on point and numb from pain, she is willing to share life lessons that she picked up along the way. This 'storyteller on toes' knows that pain will cease and will give way to a perfect performance.

Whang Od's trademark

My portrait

In Buscalan, Kalinga province, 98 year old Whang-od Oggay or simply "Whang Od" lives and thrives with her art called "pambabatok" or traditional tattooing. She is the oldest and the last of her generation of Kalinga mambabatoks. 

Whang Od is highly regarded for her work in the preservation of their tribal identity since World War II. It is no secret, however, that due to old age, cultural advocates are anxious about the influx of tourists in Kalinga who want to see 'the,' and be tattooed by, Whang Od, herself.

Critics dismiss this trend as anything from exploiting the rich Kalinga art form, to immersing in pop culture (where people are more into the 'pop' aspect of the visit than in knowing their 'culture'), to subjecting the almost centenarian to intensive labor than her frail body and eyesight can manage.

I won't deny my aspiration of meeting Whang Od in person because to me, she's a living museum. I think it would be a memorable opportunity to sit with her and ask her about the art form, her reasons for keeping it alive, and the inevitable day when she has to wash down the ink and clean her container for good.

Plenty of videos have previously surfaced on the net about these topics but until I hear from her, then I can gauge whether I will get a tattoo or just witness her leave her mark on someone else's body—turning it into enviable historical artifact while I settle on being a reliable witness.

For me, there are three obvious courses of action when one meets Whang Od:

1) The Fan. Greet, smile, and ask for a picture with the 'living legend.' Tell her where you're from and what brings you to their remote village. Post on Instagram with #blessed. If you can afford to bring a Polaroid camera, ask her for a signature and perhaps request for the same ink that she uses when tattooing. When Whang Od's relatives ask if you will get a tattoo, say you'll think about it or you'll get permission from your parents, first. 

2) The Culture Vulture. Come early morning in the village and approach her assistant so you can get in line first. Bring a draft of your preferred tattoo design and ask help from translators so Whang Od can get your rationale. If applicable, show her your other tattoos to prove that you're legit and you're not just there for the 'likes.' Make sure you can get through the pain of the 'pambabatok' process because as you know, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As a true cultural advocate and a tattoo aficionado, you know that having a Whang Od tattoo over your dead body equates to bringing another portrait to decorate heaven with.

3) Journalist/Blogger. Yes, you go through days of travelling the Cordillera highlands to finally see Whang Od in action. You document her every move and imply deeper meaning to her simplest nuance like, maybe moving her eyes, taking deep sighs, stretching her worn out arms, and washing her tattoo equipment. You narrate how she reacts alone and within the community, and how her tribesmen and neighbors respond to her celebrity. You end your journey with a question if Whang Od is indeed a national living cultural treasure or if the government and our people take her for granted just like other tourist attractions.

To fit in any of these categories is not at all unfortunate. Whang Od's legacy has been primed once locals and foreign nationals realize that she could be gone soon. She has been doing this since the post-World War but we only see her now. Whang Od's body and eye sight may be frail but we are the ones trying to catch up with her and her trademark.

Think about it, we have invented the emojis, hashtags, memes, and chat acronyms to decorate our communication and self expression but we are also the ones willing to travel for days and line up for hours to get that painful, long-lasting ink in our bodies. We are so busy making a mark as a generation and in order to do that, we seek the help from older ones like Whang Od. We cannot erase that fact; it's like our collective tattoo.

Watercolor Workshop for Kids

Last Sunday I volunteered for the Watercolor Workshop for Kids at Ayala Museum by GooglyGooeys artist and founder Ms. Tippy. She was joined by her supportive husband, Pong.

GooglyGooeys is a watercolor art folio that features gooey designs appealing mostly to kids. 

I learned a lot from my experience that day. Best of all, I appreciated how watercolor is such a flexible art medium. But let's not go into that, instead, I want to share some photo highlights from the 4-12 year old participants.

Kids played with watercolor techniques like flat wash, gradient, wet in wet, dry brush, splatter (my favorite), lifting, and glazing.

The second session taught kids how to doodle (sketch) based on facial outlines. 

I am the lone volunteer that day so Ms. Tippy drew me when she needed a male model. Yes, I can say that GooglyGooeys drew me. Yey! Note: I volunteered to see an artist in action and learn from her; to be drawn by her is just a great bonus! 

The kids also directed Ms. Tippy as they invented FlappyButt, a boy-rocker-vampire who dons a spiky hair and loves bears and cats.

With my five hour volunteer experience, I observed that kids have varying visions of art (obviously!) as some of them see it as a dark experience. One kid captioned her character, (not in exact words) "Sometimes I just sit and stare and wonder what am I doing here?" Pretty dark, eh?

When Ms. Tippy asked kids to observe their hands and count their fingers, the same kid answered, "I'm pretty sure we all know that." This kid clearly has issues, though I have to say that she is one of the advanced students.

Participants pose with their certificates

Wish parents could see their kids' folios so they can gauge how they feel or think as of the moment.

"Borrowed Time"

Pixar brought us some of the most remarkable animated films like Inside Out, Wall-E, Finding Nemo (then Dory), Brave, and The Toy Story and Cars franchises, which made us yearning to be kids again! 

Unbeknown to many, behind the entertaining characters, fanciful production value, and mostly lighthearted storylines, are cartoonists who believe that animation is a genre not exclusive for, and defined, by kids.

Take the case of Lou Hamou-Lhadj and Andrew Coats, co-writers and co-directors of the award winning animated short film, "Borrowed Time." They have been generating a lot of attention recently for their story about "a weathered Sheriff who returns to the remains of an accident he has spent a lifetime trying to forget. With each step forward, the memories come flooding back. Faced with his mistake once again, he must find the strength to carry on."

This aptly titled six-minute film (which you can watch HERE) echoes the time tested principle that our time on earth is limited. So short that we need not spend it sulking over the past (i.e. things we could have done the other way; mistakes we could have avoided; and choices we wish we made).

To live with grief, remorse, and sorrow, is part of the 'moving on' process but if they consume you for the rest of your finite life, expect to become worse than your former self. 

Let us learn from the Sheriff who unintentionally faced his demon--his uninvited ghost--after all these years. He proved to us that no matter how hard the challenge was, how long it has been, and how old you've become, "you can turn things around.*" He also showed us that forgiveness is a generous gift that we can offer ourselves.

The best part about the short film is knowing that Lou and Andrew developed the story in a span of five years, collaborating between their breaks at Pixar to do something compelling and meaningful out of their 'borrowed time.' :)

If you want to learn more about the creators' motivation behind making the story, watch their interview on Vimeo, here.

*Part of the emotional speech of Joan Rivers when she won a Daytime Emmy for her morning show in 1990, few years after her lowest point inHollywood--following the cancellation of her Late Night show and the suicide of her husband. You can watch it HERE.

Gratitude List (part 2)

Never take for granted simple blessings and pleasant surprises. You never know when will they come back to you (if they will, at all.)

Here is my gratitude list (part 2)

• Free chocolate in the fridge - Do I need to explain how chocolates make our day? :)

• Cheap, quality cinema - Together with some college friends, I recently watched "Ang Babaeng Humayo" (The Woman Who Left), the four-hour epic of internationally acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz. The movie won the Golden Lion award (Best Picture) at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival. Ticket cost is P100 only when you watch it at the government funded Cinematheque Centre Manila.

My millennial friend, Hsam

It was my first Lav movie and I could say that he has a magical approach to cinema.The duration is extremely challenging for even seasoned moviegoers but he knows when to insert light parts to avoid crossing the lines of monotony and drag. 

When I watched it, I became prouder of our identity as storytellers but proudest for finishing it in one sitting! #ShowTheLav #ForTheLavOfCinema 

• Power Rangers 2017 movie trailer -  Yap, I belong to the millions of '90s kids who still dream of becoming a Power Ranger so to see the sneak peak of the new generation Rangers is beyond exciting. It's the next best thing to making my power induced dream come true. I bet it's safe to say that little girls dream of being a Disney princess while little boys aspire to be assigned one powerful color in the pack (mine is negotiable)!

• Agot Isidro - I thought nothing could beat the Power Rangers trailer until local actress Agot Isidro trended on social media because of her strong and unapologetic criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte. The rest of the country was like, "I never thought Agot can say those things" so she became the subject of thousands of smart-shaming and personal tirade from Duterte supporters. Way to go, Agot! As it is with democracy, everyone is entitled to their opinion. The unbearable noise in social media resulting from opposition with the current administration is the price that we, unsurprisingly, have to pay.

• Successful encore event for a client - After countless of preparatory meetings, and back-and-forths of plans and articles, I finally sealed one of my accounts at work and my clients were happy with our performance. Yaaassss!

• Volunteer experience at Ayala Museum - After what felt like an endless cycle of (cue Rihanna) work-work-work-work-work, I signed up to be an Ayala Museum volunteer so I can recharge on weekends and be surrounded with arts and culture--two things that make me happy most. My first task was to be an usher in Ambeth Ocampo's talk on Food in Philippine History. I gladly found out that Ayala Museum takes care of its volunteers and treat them--us--with food and freebies. Not to mention free entrance to the events we volunteered for :)

(From left) My co-volunteers Val, Arvee, and Sam. The cool Ambeth Ocampo does the peace sign.

I can keep going on with this list but I have to manage my time. 

More to come!

The Joy of Improv

The family that improvises together, grows together. 

TWI logo

I just want to share my recent creative endeavor called Third World Improv (TWI) Workshop conducted by the country's premier improvisation group, SPIT (Silly People's Improv Workshop; naks!). 

I joined Level 1 (aka beginner's level) because admittedly, I don't have an experience in improvisational performance yet. I may be the class clown or the group's stand up comic but I do know that the art of improv is a different animal altogether.

I first learned about improv from watching SPIT in Commune, marathoning Saturday Night Live (SNL) videos on YouTube, and reading Tina Fey's hilarious memoir "Bossypants."

Watching SPIT for the first time, I thought that their brand of comedy is unique. Little did I know that it's not just a comedy show, it's a performance art. For comparison, it's like theater without the stage set-up, costumes, scripts, and rehearsed blocking, lights and sounds, and movements.

SNL is branded as a live sketch comedy show but I learned early on that most of its former and current cast members and writers have an improv background. I would name Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and Amy Poehler, as some of my improv heroes. 

In Tina's case, she dedicated a chapter in her book for the love of improv. That was where I first learned its two greatest commandments:

Commandment no. 1: Always say, "Yes" 
By doing so, you will be able to continue your unrehearsed, unscripted story.

Commandment no. 2: Say, "Yes, and..."
You have to not only agree to what your co-performer said but also contribute to his/her idea.

Seasoned and amateur improvisers know that you only need to take to heart these two rules and you can get through most of your performances (unless your sh*tty nerves get in the way, then sorry bes!). Going through Level 1 under teacher Aryn Cristobal (yes, shout-out!) made me realize more guidelines to help me become a better improviser:

No. 3: Make your partner look good
It's simple. If you agree to what your partner said (even if you really don't), the audience will believe that the two of you are in sync with your make believe stories. 

No. 4: It's not about you
Perhaps the hardest thing for any aspiring improviser/performer is to think of himself as not the 'star of the show' but just a part of it. Successful improv shows are made by groups and not individuals. If you think you're not ready to say "we" instead of "I," then stand up comedy might be the best way for you (which is not a bad thing, honestly).  

No. 5: Be a child again (even if it means you'll look foolish and embarrassing) 
You'll be surprised to learn that a lot of aspiring and practicing improvisers have full time jobs. They enroll in improv classes because they (I included) believe that it will develop their creativity, playfulness, and fun-loving spirit that they unfortunately loss while working or being "alipin ng salapi." 

In my group's case, you could easily point out who are part of the labor force--not just by our outfits but also by our demeanors (more reserved, careful with words, and cautious of movements). Gladly, we had 8 sessions to break that attitude and be childlike again!

No. 6: Don't control what's going to happen. "Que Sera Sera." Prepare for pleasant surprises

"Improvisation," according to (Senator) Merriam-Webster is the act or art of speaking or performing without practicing or preparing ahead of time. If you don't get the point, you just wasted a good 5 minutes reading my blog.

Pardon the (always) haggard face. I went straight to the venue from Palawan

Our team is called "Where's Mariana?"

After days of workshops and hours of preparation, we finally had our TWI Showcase last September 11 at Circuit Makati.

We played five short games in an effort to sound and look spontaneous, young, and fun in front of supportive families, friends, and fellow improvisers. It wasn't a perfect showcase but it was nonetheless fun. 

I'll close this blog by echoing what TWI Director Gabe Mercado said during his introduction, "Improv is a process, not a product." 

Gabe Mercado. I wish I just Googled a photo of him

That's the beauty of improv. Regardless of age, background in performing arts, or comic timing, you have the excuse to be wrong. You never have to worry because no matter how silly your ideas seem, somebody will say yes to it. You will look good because you're part of a team.

Like any millennial-dominated group, we had to look cool, hence the group hand sign

Pens and Faces

Late last year I discovered a new hobby: drawing. It turned out that my father's artistic influence is still alive despite my denial that I can draw (and that I have the patience to turn sketches into someone recognizable). 

I chose to draw portraits as a way of paying tribute to the people who have inspired me in one way or another. In few cases though, I drew people for mockery (as in the case of Manny Pacquiao and Taylor Swift). 

Here are some of my portraits using colored pens (Note: I am an amateur. I don't have any professional training).

From Hollywood:

From first row, L-R: Versatile actor Johnny Depp, Award-winning daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, Talented actress and TV star Viola Davis, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John Mayer, Bankable British actor Jude Law, Bankable German-Irish actor Michael Fassbender, Two-time Academy Award-winning Australian actress Cate Blanchett, Academy Award-winning actor and legendary comic Robin Williams, and another Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse

I also have some local personalities:

(From left, counterclockwise) Model and versatile actress Angel Aquino, International boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach

Recently, I dabbled into a new technique: the classic black and white.

(From left, counterclockwise) Legendary British stage and screen actor Patrick Stewart (some say Steve Jobs), Pop royalty Taylor Swift, 'Hamilton' creator and Broadway star Lin Manuel-Miranda, and 'Cookie' of hit TV series 'Empire,' Taraji P. Henson

I still have a lot of room to grow but so far, I think I'm on the right path because drawing makes me cope up with boredom, enhances my creativity, and espouses focus and discipline.

You can see more of my attempts at @rossmanicad in Instagram.

Lakbay Lokal: Traipsing Tagaytay

My best friend and I had one whole day for free (June 24). After talking about our getaway options for almost an hour, we decided to go to Tagaytay (*surprise!*).

Like most of our out-of-town trips, we knew where we would go but not what we wanted to do. We were just sure of one thing: we wanted to see art (and kaartehan) everywhere we go.

So here is our 16-hour budget itinerary for local tourists who want to escape the city and reignite their creativity as they rediscover Tagaytay:

*All prices good for 1 person only

0845AM

-Ride a DLTB Co. bus going to Tagaytay from Buendia (below LRT station) for only P83.

1045AM

-Arrive at Tagaytay Rotonda where, interestingly, a statue of Ninoy Aquino with a red sculpted steel tree now stands.

-Ride a tricycle to Museo Orlina for only P30. Entrance to the museum is P100.

-Museo Orlina houses the glass sculptures of renowned sculpture architect Ramon Orlina, as well as works of other local and foreign artists. It's a four-storey museum with huge open windows that let the fresh and cool Tagaytay air in, and white walls accented by colorful glass sculptures and recurring red-yellow-blue color patterns inspired by the works of one of Orlina's idols. It's four floors are named after his children (in order): Naesa, Ningning, Anna, and Michael.

 0100PM

-Ride a tricycle going to Dreamland Arts & Crafts Cafe near Cityland Condominium for only P20.

-Go grab your lunch! I tried Chick-A-Dream (Grilled Zesty Chicken with Herbs and Spices, Egg, Summer Salad, Fried Green-e-Rice, Tubasuk Vinegar, and Soup) for P180 and Lychee Smoothie with Yakult for P150. My F&B tasted better than expected :)

-The place is dreamy and artsy but they play loud remixes of OPMs that you would normally hear at pedicabs in the Metro; that is a major turnoff. Luckily they have a more appropriate playlist upon our request.

-For social media whores, sadly Dreamland doesn't have WiFi because it encourages customers to "talk to each other." They have group games (i.e. UNO Stacks, Sungka, Domino) to encourage bonding and books to help you pass the time alone, in another world. They also sell various items from dream catchers, dresses and bags, hand painted portraits, keychains, even hand sewn socks and wallets.

0330PM

-Take a short walk or ride a tricyle (for only P10) back to the Rotonda then ride a jeepney going to Nasugbu for only P10. Ask the driver to drop you off at Puzzle Mansion in Brgy. Asisa. 

Caution: A tricycle driver tried to trick us for P400 for 2 straight to the Puzzle Mansion from Dreamland. That's P380 more than what you really have to spend for!

0345PM

-Ride another tricycle for only P30 going to the Mansion. You have to walk five minutes from the drop off point because it's located in a low land. Entrance to the mansion is P100.

-Puzzle Mansion holds the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Collection of Jigsaw Puzzles of Any Size, Shape or Form."

-The over a 1,028 collection of jigsaw, crystal, and wooden puzzles on the ground floor is overwhelming. They have 2D and 3D puzzles and even puzzle balls. Better to create your route going around it (i.e. left to right, clockwise, zigzag).

-Watch the playback of the owner's TV interviews to learn more about her humble beginnings, success story, and aspirations to contribute to our tourism, one puzzle piece at a time. Or simply search for Georgina Gil-Lacuna.

-The 2nd floor features the world's largest and second largest jigsaw puzzles! You can also buy souvenir and rare puzzles at the shop, and have a snack break at the cafe.

0500PM

-Travel back to Brgy. Asisa tricycle terminal. Ride a jeepney going to Olivarez Terminal for P12.

0555PM

-Ride another tryk going to Java Jazz Cafe for only P25. It's near Ina ng Laging Saklolo Parish.

0610PM

-Have your dinner in this quiet and indie-artsy cafe. I tried Pan Fried Fish Fillet in Creamy White Sauce (P119) and Pandan Green Tea with Chips and Fries (P99). Both weren't great and they were served small considering the price :(

0830PM

-Cap off the night with a nice, light massage. We tried the whole body massage at Touchpoint Spa in front of Olivarez Terminal for P450. It was okay, not good nor bad. I still prefer Nuat Thai massage which is P100 cheaper.

1000PM

-Walk shortly to the Rotonda then ride a bus going back to either Buendia or Pasay for about P80 only. 

And voila, welcome home!

In all, you have to allot about P1,500 to enjoy a day trip in Tagaytay. If you want to spend the night, you can find a Bed & Breakfast accommodation for P500. Most of the cafe and restaurants have them, you just have to ask the locals to find the affordable ones :)