Curious Curator launches with art exhibition on “The Quiet Strength of a Woman” featuring two Ilonggo artists

The Filipino art scene has been evolving and flourishing in recent years. Our artists are getting rave reviews in auctions and exhibitions abroad, while local art events like Art in the Park and Art Fair Philippines are staged with resounding success. This signals not only a renewed appreciation for Filipino art by locals and foreigners alike, but also the eager interest and growing population of art enthusiasts in the country. It is within this context that the idea of Curious Curator was formed by a pair of art enthusiasts. 

Curious Curator was conceptualized in order to help budding and potential artists from outside Metro Manila, especially from the Visayas and Mindanao, penetrate the mainstream art scene. Keeping the welfare of the artist front and center, Curious Curator manages the financial, marketing and sales aspect of the collaboration so that the artist can focus on the creation process. Curated and conceptual art exhibitions are held in non-traditional venues to reach a wider audience.  This enables the startup to promote the evolving Filipino artistry while diversifying and simplifying ways that budding art collectors can secure original but affordable art pieces.

To officially launch Curious Curator, two Ilonggo artists will be featured as the first curated artists in an exhibition entitled, “Ang Maugdang nga Kusog sang Babaye.”  Showing contrasting perspectives on the “quiet strength of a woman,” the exhibit will feature two entirely different artists who are both lovers of the silhouette of a woman. One is a man; the other, a woman. One is a sculptor; the other, a painter. One is seasoned; the other, budding.

For Harry Mark Gonzales, “How I carve shapes and movement is how I appreciate and celebrate the beauty and strength of a woman.” The 34-year old effortlessly manipulates cold-cast marble into stunning silhouettes of women. His love affair with marble started after his “A Protest Over Guimaras Oil Spill” terra cotta sculpture bagged the grand prize at the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) Awards in 2007.  A self-taught artist, his material mastery was honed by years of experience under the influence of respected artist Ed Defensor, allowing him to create some of Iloilo City’s most important landmarks.

Inspired by poet and artist Akiane Kramarik, 21-year-old Kat Malazarte pursues spirituality as the main theme in her body of work, recognizing this as the core of a woman’s strength.  “A woman’s quiet strength is her resilience. That no matter the storms that rage at her life… she, in the end, rises.” This is beautifully captured in strokes that convey the depth and mystical quality of the woman, strokes that have been meticulously guided by the late Norce Salazar. A Vision Petron National 
Student Art Competition Grand Prize winner for the video-making category in 2015 for her entry, “Tingnan Nang Malapitan, Damhin Nang Malaliman,” Kat is the first cum laude graduate of the Bachelor of Fine Arts program of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City.

The 18-piece collection of eight oil paintings and ten cold-cast marble sculptures creates a visual feast that pays homage to the strength that allows women to endure.

The exhibit runs from September 30, 2016, 6:00pm to October 2, 2016, 6:00pm at _GALLERY at A SPACE, 5th floor, 110 Legazpi St, Makati City and is staged by Curious Curator with their partners A SPACE, Nipa Brew and 034 creatives. An Artists’ Talk is scheduled on October 1, 2016 at 2:00pm with the two featured artists to share their thoughts on the theme as well as their creative process. For more information, you may contact Curious Curator at 09178828299, or email them at curiouscuratorph@gmail.com or visit fb.com/curiouscuratorph or www.curiouscurator.ph.

Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo: A Negrense recipe handed from generations

Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo is not your ordinary gourmet tuyo. Chef April shared the story behind the first shredded gourmet tuyo I have tried. She said that her Lola has always been very hands-on. When they were still little, every time they would harvest watermelons in their farm, her Lola would take out the seeds for them so that they can eat at ease. The same thing goes when they eat tuyo. It was originally her Lola’s recipe and it was always present in their family gatherings. Since her mom loves capers and olives, Chef April tried to add the said ingredients to her Lola’s recipe. Eventually, her friends told her “Why not put it in a bottle and sell it?” That gave birth to Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo. She worked on the product’s packaging and treats that as her main contribution for the coming about of Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo. Chef April is confident enough to say that it doesn’t contain any preservatives.

Being both a Lacson and a Gonzaga, Chef April confessed to be a certified foodie. She owns restaurants where she displays her products. She’s very proud to say that all her products are authentic family recipes. Her latest is the Chorizo de Gonzaga which is her Tita’s recipe.

Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo is now on its 3rd year. You can choose between regular and spicy variants. Chef April suggested ways on how customers can enjoy her Gourmet Tuyo. She said that it’s actually good with pasta, salad, and toasted crostini. However, she still thinks that it’s best with rice – the most Pinoy way of eating it.  Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo can also serve as an appetizer. Chef April said that you can spread it on French bread and add kesong puti for it to be like a Pinoy Canapé.

This is Chef April’s 2nd year in The Negros Trade Fair. She’s very proud of her Gourmet Tuyo which has already won 2 awards. It won the Savor Negrense Award at the Panaad sa Negros Festival 2015 where 19 municipalities and 13 cities joined and only one winner was declared and that is Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo. It was also acknowledged as the grand winner for the deli category of the 26th Bulawan Awards of the Association of Negros Producers in August 2016.

Caress and charm in a bar

Susan Flores, owner of Karissma, treats hers as a millionaire’s business. They’re now on their 5th year in the industry; yet, it’s their first time in the Negros Trade Fair.

Although it may sound ironic, the Yolanda incident in Tacloban paved way for Susan’s business. She has an American friend who gave her a call that time, asking her if she was affected by the typhoon. This friend of hers who’s a chemist and dermatologist in the USA wanted to extend her help to Susan. She gave her a formula in creating chemical-free soaps. Susan said that her friend is a chemist who hates chemicals that’s why she exerted effort in researching for fruits and vegetables in the Philippines which are good for the skin. It was only through Skype where they communicated to produce the soap.

Susan also shared the story behind the name of their brand. She said that during her younger days, it was very easy for her to gather people and she was always told by people that she has charisma. That incident gave her husband gave the idea of naming their brand “Karissma”. At the same time, it also means caress and charm.

Karissma soaps are all natural and handmade. Susan herself is the one who processes them in her small laboratory. The physical appearance of their products proves that they are using natural products. They include fruit and vegetable peelings in the soap.

Susan only started with 3 kinds of soap – banana, radish, and cucumber. Within a year, they were able to come up with more such as guava (anti-bacterial), avocado (moisturizing), charcoal (detoxifying), and many more. Their bestseller is the radish soap which has a bleaching effect. Each of their soap (150 grams) costs 180php.

The owner remains very down to earth. She understands that her business won’t flourish at once. “It’s slowly growing”, she said. Susan has been to many places because of Karissma. She’s been getting invites nationwide.

What’s more inspiring about the owner is she shares her success to other Filipinos. She welcomes distributors. They have packages for resellers, especially OFWs. This is her way of helping other people.

From scrap bottles to riches

Have you ever thought of transforming your used wine and medicine bottles to a home décor or kitchenware? I nearly thought it was impossible until I met Precy Perez, owner of Yssa’s Crafts.

When you walk along the booths of the Negros Trade Fair, Precy’s flattened bottles will surely catch your eyes. In an interview with the owner herself, she revealed that all her products are recycled bottles. She buys them from scrap boys who regularly drop by her house in Bacolod. They get used medicine and wine bottles from dumpsites, hotels, restaurants, and junk shops. These materials undergo a cleaning process and are baked at a high temperature in a ceramic oven.

Back in the day, Precy used to do ceramics and exports them. However, in the year 1999, her sales dropped because the buyers opted to go to China to buy ceramics. In effect, she lost 30 workers and had financial difficulties. Despite this challenge in her life, she continued to sell her products with only 2 workers by her side. 

During a show in SM Megamall, a customer showed her a picture of bottle chimes and asked her if she knew how to do it. Funny thing is she said yes even though she really didn’t. However, since she’s a chemical engineer, she already had an idea on how to do the product. Precy gave it a try and it became a hit when she sold the bottle chimes locally.

During the firing, Precy doesn’t always get the desired shape because the temperature is not uniformed. Because of that, a defect gives birth to other products. Her products now include saucepans, serving dishes, home decors, and bottle chimes – her “golden egg”, she said. Recently, she’s been working on medicine bottles as vases/planters which are orders from the USA.

Precy treats her business as her bread and butter. Although she’s at the peak of her career, she never forgets to share her blessings to others especially to the less fortunate. Her purchasing of the recycled bottles from street children and mothers without income is her way of helping them. She even shared that late at night, these people would knock on her door and beg her to buy the bottles because they haven’t eaten yet. She couldn’t take such kind of situation that’s why she’ll always buy from them regardless of the time of the day.

At present, Precy Perez is the head of the gifts, décor & houseware sector of the 31st Negros Trade Fair. She regularly joins fairs, even international ones like the annual Manila Fame. She’s been receiving orders of her products from countries like Belgium and USA.

She treats her craft as a special gift from God. It was through her business that she was able to redeem the properties of her parents which were mortgaged.

On a personal note, Precy said that she’s very happy with what she’s doing. She has redeemed her confidence because of her growing business. Being an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, she said “Kapag may sipag at tiyaga, may biyaya.”

Encounter Negros island at the 31st Negros Trade Fair

Experience what Negros is all about at the 31st Negros Trade Fair this coming September 14-18, 2016 at the Glorietta Activity Center. With the theme “Biodiversity In Tourism”, this 31st edition promises an even more extensive view of this glorious province and what it is to be Negrense.

Encounter the ingenuity and creativity of the Negrenses with the vast array of products ranging from household products, fashion items and accessories, furniture and furnishing, gifts, and décor, all tastefully created and meticulously crafted. Every year the members of the Association of Negros Producers ALWAYS outdo themselves, exceeding the already astronomical standard of quality and style that they achieved the previous year. Whether your 9 or 90, you’ll find that little (or LARGE, actually) piece that you just gotta have…whether for yourself or as a gift, you’ll surely find what’s just perfect.

And, of course, who hasn’t heard of the raves about the wonderful assortment of tastes from Negros that would make anyone salivate? From the famed inasal to those little sweet “kakanins”, biscuits, and what have you….just a gastronomic delight!!! Plus, with the Slow Food Convivium of Negros Island, you’ll savor tastes that are so unlike the oily, greasy, UNHEALTHY fast food that floods the malls. This is one of the few venues where you will find that there is food that can be both described as “delicious” as well as “healthy”.

All this has always graced the Negros Trade Fairs of past and visiting has always been a wonderful experience for all the guests.

But this year’s edition promises even more. Aligned with its theme, guests will see the bounty and diversity with which nature has blessed this island paradise. With the help of the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI) and Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. (PBCFI), guests may discover the wealth of Negros’ natural resources with different exhibits and activities both for the youngest of the young and the oldest of the old.

So the 31st Negros Trade Fair is, simply put, a must for everyone, bar none.

Source: Association of Negros Producers