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Friday, March 29, 2024

Nature’s attractions

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I always marvel at how artists depict on canvas anything that they see around them, so you can imagine how thrilled I was as I browsed the masterpieces on display at the ongoing “Of Art And Wine Para Sa Kalikasan” exhibit at Gallery C of Conrad Manila.  

This physical and virtual art showcase is in celebration of World Nature Conservation Day. It is jointly mounted by the hotel, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Philippine Fauna Art Society (PhilFAS), which was created through the efforts of artist Bing Famoso in 2019 to advocate for the country’s endemic and indigenous fauna through visual art.

Curated by Famoso, the exhibit aims to raise awareness of and elicit support for the Philippine native fauna species and their protection and conservation. Featured artworks are from members of PhilFAS, Malaysian Art Society, Penang Art Society, and the Universiti Teknologi Mara Faculty of Arts and Design.

Artist and PhilFAS founder Bing Famoso stands between her two acrylic on canvas masterpieces: ‘Ang Pardaliparus elegans at ang Alocasia portei’ (left) and ‘Banoy Philippine Eagle’ (right) priced at P100,000 and P150,000, respectively.
Artist and PhilFAS founder Bing Famoso stands between her two acrylic on canvas masterpieces: ‘Ang Pardaliparus elegans at ang Alocasia portei’ (left) and ‘Banoy Philippine Eagle’ (right) priced at P100,000 and P150,000, respectively.

As I was walking along Gallery C towards the venue of the event’s opening ceremonies, there were four works of art that immediately caught my attention. I made sure I took photos of them, so I could share them with you on this page. Two of them turned out to be those of PhilFAS founder Bing Famoso. 

This joint undertaking, highlighting Filipino and Malaysian artists, banners the two countries’ inclusion among the 17 megadiverse countries in the whole world, which means 50 percent of our flora and fauna species are endemic and cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. Unfortunately, despite the concentration of diverse life in both countries, there is always the continuing threat to their existence because of habitat loss, human activity, and climate change.

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This very colorful art exhibit was formally opened the other day by Elizabeth Sy, president of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC); Peggy Angeles, SMHCC executive vice president; Conrad Manila general manager Linda Pecoraro; and Famoso.

At first glance, anyone would think this is a photograph. It is actually a lifelike acrylic on canvas, ‘Yellow-headed Water Monitor’ by Larie N. Dianco and sells for only P35,000.
At first glance, anyone would think this is a photograph. It is actually a lifelike acrylic on canvas, ‘Yellow-headed Water Monitor’ by Larie N. Dianco and sells for only P35,000.

Delivering their messages virtually to the opening day crowd were nature conservation advocates H.E. Norman Bin Muhamad, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines; H.E. Charles Jose, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia; Hon. Loren Legarda, deputy speaker, House of Representatives; and DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu.

Conrad Manila GM Linda Pecoraro, who led similar advocacies in Malaysia where she served as general manager of Hilton Kota Kinabalu, further emphasized in her welcome speech that “bringing the beauty of nature on canvas offers hotel guests a vibrant showcase of artworks that aim to conserve, preserve, and protect Mother Earth”.

As part of the opening day festivities, guests were taken on an online tour of Conrad Manila’s Gallery C with a special link to PhilFAS’ full virtual gallery that has over 150 artworks mounted both in the Philippines and in Malaysia. More information on the artworks may be obtained through (02) 8833-9999 or conradmanila@conradhotels.com 

This beautiful oil on canvas, ‘Panibagong Bukas Philippine Cockatoo’ by Seth Corda goes for only P20,000.
This beautiful oil on canvas, ‘Panibagong Bukas Philippine Cockatoo’ by Seth Corda goes for only P20,000.

I have to commend the organizers for putting up a “Pledge Tree” among the display, where hotel guests are invited to share their environmental advocacies, to inspire and gain support from others. It is indeed of utmost importance that all of us who continue to enjoy life in this world show that we care for our environment. I remember having seen a poster once that said, “When you realize that HEART and EARTH are spelled with the same letters, it all starts to make sense.” I couldn’t agree more.

YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE

LAW OF BIOMECHANICS: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

 

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

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