The Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI), chaired by Tingog Party List Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez launched “SINING SA KONGRESO: An Art Exhibit of Masters, Modern Masters and Contemporary Filipino Artists” at the House of Representatives on Monday.
Organized in partnership with Mira Art Gallery and Project Hulmahan, the back-to-back exhibit features works by revered masters like Ramon Orlina, Luis “Junyee” Yee, Jr., Cesar Arro, Mauro Malang Santos, Lydia Velasco, among others.
The exhibit also presents the fascinating transformations of condemned shoe lasts or “hulmahan” from Marikina factories into sculptures by renowned and emerging artists, including volunteer celebrities Dolly de Leon, Alessandra de Rossi, and Janine Gutierrez.
“The celebration of Filipino artistry is made even more meaningful as we commemorate Philippine Creative Industries Month,” House Committee on Welfare of Children and BHW Party List Representative Angelica Natasha Co, said.
She mentioned it was just a few months ago that Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act was signed into law, finally recognizing the immense contribution of creative sectors to nation-building, through the support of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Beyond showcasing the breadth of Filipino talent, the event also serves a greater purpose. “For every art piece that you buy, part of it will help in the construction of a two-story Women and Children Protection Unit at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in Mandaluyong in support of the Philippine Mental Health Law,” AWLFI President Representative Linabelle Ruth Villarica emphasized. “I went to the NCMH with some AWLFI members and saw how the men, women, and youth patients were all in the same facilities.”
Guest of Honor Representative Christopher de Venecia, the principal author of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act and Chairperson of the Special Committee on Creative Industries, agreed that “mental health deserves attention, empathy and action.” Citing a UNICEF report in 2022, he said “one in eight adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old and one in seventeen children aged 5 to 9 years are estimated to have a mental disorder.”
The art exhibit which runs until September 29 is headed by Representatives Jocelyn Sy-Limkaichong and Stella Luz Quimbo. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), San Miguel Corporation and Meta Ventures Incorporated serve as major sponsors of the event.
Gracing the art exhibition as ribbon cutters and art patrons were AWLFI President Rep. Villarica, Rep.Co, representing AWLFI Chairperson Rep. Romualdez, event chairpersons Reps. Limkaichong and Quimbo, Guest of Honor Rep. de Venecia, AWLFI officers and members, and artists Ramon Orlina, Luis “Junyee” Yee, Jr. and others.