The life coaches of DETOUR 2016

In 2015, Propel conducted their first boot camp in Laguna entitled “INSURGENT: Rising Above Boundaries” which was attended by 100 campers. With its success, Propel planned to conduct boot camps annually encompassing various event formats like fora, seminars, conferences, and the like; with the overall theme of highlighting game changers and innovations in personal development and in business. 

This year’s boot camp, “DETOUR”, is dedicated for young professionals. The feedback and assessment from INSURGENT gave birth to DETOUR. “Last year, we had a camp retreat for young professionals but then after that we saw a lot of needs that young professionals have. We decided to come up with a camp where people won’t just come to have fun. We want this boot camp to be a platform of learning for young professionals. We aim to motive young people; to push whatever dreams they have or if they have difficulties in life, that they would know that there are people who have experienced it and able to overcome it “says Propel’s CEO and President, Mary Jane Vega.

According to the organizers, DETOUR is different from their camp retreat last year because it is not just religious. It is more focused on career building. Also, PROPEL has incorporated team buildings activities which makes the boot camp a mixture of physical fun and intellectual stimulation.

LIFE COACHES

(L-R) Andrew Chua, Flip Ruby, Rachel de Villa, Mary Jane Vega, David Lim and Rachel Harrison

The first ever DETOUR has on-board people who are the best in the industry where they are right now. The coaches of this boot camp would be sharing not the just "technicalities" but also life lessons that they have learned in their great journey and difficulties before they became successful. “We want the young people to know that there would be pursuits and perseverance, but if we continue to outlast that we would discover our purposes.” Mary Jane Vega said in a statement during the press conference.

For more information and  registration details, visit the Facebook page DETOUR or call them at (02) 959-6429 or email info@propelmentoring.com.

Meeting Marie Cunning, President of FPACC

Marie Cunning, FPACC president with Zeno Martinez of Nextmedia

Marie Cunning is the president of the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce, Inc.  It consists of 35 chapters all over the United States. Here in the Philippines, FPACC’s counterpart is the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In the US, the FPACC is the largest Filipino-American business organization.

On the business side, Marie Cunning is a developer.  She owns a construction company. She builds shopping centers and high-rises in Arizona. She also owns several flooring stores, cabinets and countertops shops, and a real estate business. Recently, she bought a door shop in Mexico. Topping all these businesses is her own fashion boutique which is a personal interest business because Marie herself used to be a model.

FPACC is a regular attendee of the PCCI's Philippine Business Conference & Expo. Their members have been coming to PCCI’s event for the past 20 years. They try to do it every other year. Next year, the FPACC will be hosting the US business conference in Arizona, Marie's home state. Arizona is one of the original members of the federation. It was 20 years ago when it started. Marie’s group was one of the first chambers to join. “I have 180 Filipino businesses in Arizona - just Arizona. That’s just one state. Texas is even bigger, and California, of course," said Marie.

She further revealed that in their 20 years, it is actually the first time in their federation's history that they are doing a humanitarian mission. She wants the federation to be known as social entrepreneurs. Marie further said “You know, it’s not just the almighty dollar. I want people to know that we’re also an organization with a heart. I just didn’t want us to be known as business people.” 

According to her, they have raised over $300,000 for this mission. They are going to Calapan, Mindoro on Sunday where they will help 2,500 Mangyan families. “We’re doing free plastic surgeries for cleft palates. We’re doing cataract surgeries. Right now, it’s a trade mission. Next week, it’s a medical mission.” Marie added.

With regard to FPACC’s trade mission, she explained that they bring businesses from the US that want to do business in the Philippines. They are in constant communication with PCCI who looks at the mix of the businesses that they are bringing and matches them with PCCI members with the same businesses. With this, Marie said, “We have generated  over 6 billion dollars worth of business.”

Meeting Marie Cunning was indeed a great pleasure. She is a living proof that Filipinos remain Filipinos regardless of the heights and miles that they have reached. They will always find their way back to their roots. And wherever they may be, they can excel if they wanted to. 

Digital Marketing Multiplied

The country's very first digital congress, the "IMMAP DigiCon, The Power of X: Digital Multiplied", hosted by the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the  Philippines (IMMAP), promises to be as enlightening  and exciting as the first event hosted by IMMAP 10 years ago.

"This groundbreaking event will be like no other that IMMAP has hosted in the past - more attendees, more learning tracks and most importantly, an even bigger line-up of speakers who will talk about everything digital in the 21st Century. Collectively, they will share their thoughts on this industry that is taking the world by storm", says Donald Lim, Chief Digital Officer of ABS-CBN and touted as the founding father of digital marketing in the country.

The digital landscape in the Philippines continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace; as such, the congress is the perfect venue for the country's digital marketers to keep in step and to learn from digital marketing experts from all over the world, who will share their  knowledge during the 3-day event.

"More industries today are now going purely digital and we are expecting this kind of transformation among many more companies in the future", Lim adds.

For the first time, through "The Power of X: Digital Multiplied", IMMAP fuses together other regular digital marketing conferences - the Mobile Marketing Summit, Digital Commerce Summit, and the IMMAP Summit - into one event, expecting to draw around 3,000 delegates from various industries across the country.

Lim says this congress will be 10 times bigger than before as IMMAP once again enjoins members of the Philippine digital marketing industry and demonstrates to them how brands can grow exponentially with the power of digital, multiplied.

Why "Power of X"? Lim explains that "X" is one of the most powerful letters in the alphabet. It has many possible usages, but it also stands for the unknown. "When it comes to digital, it's up to you to determine what 'X' stands for. In many ways, digital is still misunderstood , and so it gets the 'X' mark or is crossed out of an advertiser's consideration list. How will you be able to amplify your brand in the digital space? It's for you to define your 'X'', he says.

The IMMAP DigiCon will have 10 subject matter tracks and 10 speakers in each track, for a total of 100 speakers. The topics for the 10 tracks include "Branding and Marketing", "Content and Distribution", "Start-ups", "Creatives", "Social and Search", "eCommerce and Payment", "Marketing Technology", "CRM, Data and Analytics", "Research and Measurement", and "Media and Ad Networks".

The likes of Dan Neary, Vice President for Asia of Facebook, Wendy Hogan, Head of Strategy and Marketing Transformation of Oracle, and chief executivesof local companies like Ernest Cu, CEO of Globe Telecom, Kenneth Yang, President and CEO of Golden Arches Development Corp., Fred Uytengsu, President and CEO of Alaska Milk Corp., will be on hand to speak during the plenary sessions. Meanwhile, Sunita Kaur of Spotify, Anna Liechtenstein, Global Chief Startegy Officer of Havas Media, Paul Azzola, COO of PayMaya Philippines, Guy Hearn, Chief Innovation Officer of Omnicom Media Group, Simon Kahn, Chief Marketing Officer of Google Asia Pacific, Gwendolyn Regin, Head of Strategy and Business Development of Asia Mashable, and Sandhya Devanathan of Facebook SEA,to name a few, will be among the 100 speakers expected to provide the learning and sharing of knowledge on digital marketing in the 21st Century.

"Trust is earned, not given... CNN Philippines will continue to provide information you can trust on TV and digital platforms."
- Armie Jarin Bennett, Executive Vice President / Managing Editor, CNN Philippines

"Creativity offers us the ability to reduce, the ability to get things down to the simplest possible form.
 Creativity demands simplicity. You cannot be creative unless you make things simple."
- David Guerrero of BBDO

"Digital is the only type of medium that allows you to react as fast as you get the message."
- Tonypet Sarmiento of Havas Media Ortega

The first "IMMAP DigiCon, The Power of X: Digital Multiplied", will be held on October 10-12, 2016 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Vicente Sotto Street, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Pasay City. For more information and registration details, go to www.immap.com.ph or www.powerofx.ph. Also, visit Facebook page, www.facebook.com/immapPH/ and Twitter, @immapPH.

Propel's DETOUR BOOTCAMP 2016: Embracing Life's Unexpected Turns

A most-awaited annual life enrichment boot camp will happen this year entitled DETOUR: EMBRACING LIFE’S UNEXPECTED TURNS. 

This meaningful 3-day camp is scheduled to be held on 27-29 October 2016 at the Boso-boso Highlands Resort in Antipolo, with Propel Mentoring Partnership Co. as its main organizer and facilitator. The boot camp offers its 150 campers fun and unique experiences with an opportunity to explore the outdoors, meet new friends, and discover new interests as they rediscover themselves through the 7 journeys of the 7 speakers from the country’s leading industries. Camp fee is  PhP 4,000.00 which  includes food and hotel accommodation for the entire 3-day stay in the camp. The event's main beneficiary are the children cancer survivors here in the Philippines. 

This is Propel's 2nd camp and to elevate this year’s camp they invited young, innovative and successful company owners, start-up founders and famous speakers to share their incredible pieces on success, failure, persistence and hard work. Along with Life Coach Mary Jane Vega, Propel's President and CEO, the speakers are:

• David Lim, president and founder of MyPhone Philippines
• Francis Kong, one of the Philippines' most outstanding motivational speakers
• Rachel Harrison, owner and founder of ZAMBAWOOD
• Andrew Cua, CEO and Founder of TRALULU and 
• Rachel de Villa, co-founder and CTO of CROPITAL. 
• Flip Ruby, Head of Human Resources & Corporate Services Department of ZALORA Philippines

There will be breakout sessions wherein the 7 speakers will share their stories from how the concepts of their businesses were developed; how funding was acquired; what were the most memorable and challenging birth pains, and how the company adapted and flourished despite these; and how all of these made them as better individuals. 

“There are a lot of things that can happen to a person, a lot of detours that can change us. As much as possible, we would want our plans to go the straight path, unfortunately it doesn’t happen that way all the time," says Life Coach Mary Jane Vega. She also promises that Detour will be "3 days of fun packed with excitement as 7 speakers share 7 journeys of their lives." She also invites those interested to "be there, be motivated and be encouraged: Have a DETOUR with us!”

For more information and  registration details, visit the Facebook page DETOUR or call them at (02) 959-6429 or email info@propelmentoring.com 

© Propel  Mentoring Partnership Co.

© DETOUR 2016

PHD Appoints Eileen Ooi to Lead Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur | 11 October 2016 – In an effort to sharpen the focus on the continued growth of Malaysia, PHD has appointed Eileen Ooi to lead its Malaysia operations. As Head of PHD Malaysia, Eileen will lead all business functions with a mandate to drive business momentum and transforming the agency to the next level of success. Eileen will be reporting to newly appointed CEO of Omnicom Media Group Singapore & Malaysia - Ranga Somanathan and her appointment is effective from mid-October.

Eileen joins PHD with more than 14 years’ experience in communication & media planning, brand strategies, client leadership and team management. Prior to PHD, Eileen was the General Manager, Strategy & Platforms at Maxus Malaysia responsible for leading Maxus' operations with a focus on enhancing client relationships and growth strategy for the agency in the areas of commercial, digital, strategy, and innovation. Over the course of her career, Eileen has worked in senior leadership roles in media agencies (including being a regional strategic planner on the P&G account) and built her strengths in brand management and strategy, leading change in teams and mentoring the next generation of talent.

Commenting on the appointment, Susana Tsui, CEO, PHD APAC, said, “PHD markets in SEA have been gathering strong momentum over the past few months and the Malaysia is a key market within the region. Eileen is a highly self-motivated, creative and versatile agency leader who can build on PHD’s strong foundation in communications planning, innovation, digital and grow our capabilities in Malaysia. Eileen’s experience will not only strengthen our operations but act as a catalyst of change to drive PHD Malaysia to be a leading player in the industry.”

On her new role, Eileen Ooi said, “It is truly exciting to be part of a fast growing and forward thinking agency. PHD's philosophy of being a planning-led media agency and its bold culture are qualities that sets it apart in the industry. We are at an interesting tipping point today, as the era of Artificial Intelligence converge with communication planning. With its renowned global planning platform - SOURCE, I believe PHD is in a great position to partner with our clients to innovate and build successful brands. I look forward to continue to build upon PHD's strong foundations and take Malaysia into greater heights."

# # #

For more information, please contact: Arundhati Saha (Arun), Marketing Communications Director APAC

Arundhati.saha@omnicommediagroup.com

+65 6876 6809 (DL) +65 96609741 (M)

Notes to editors:

About PHD (www.phdmedia.com)

PHD Worldwide is known globally as an innovator in communications planning and buying across broadcast, print, digital, mobile, social and emerging media. Built on a culture of thought leadership, PHD’s philosophy is “Finding a Better Way.” PHD is one of the world’s fastest growing and most awarded media and communication agencies, with over 3,000 staff working in over 80 offices worldwide.

PHD’s was named Global Media Agency of the Year 2013 at the Cristal Awards and also received Agency of the Year accolades in the UK, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Shanghai, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Sweden for the same year.

PHD was the most successful media network at the 2014 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, winning more Gold Lions than any other agency. A total of four Gold and one Bronze were awarded, with a further 38 awards as the credited media agency, bringing PHD’s tally of awards to 43.

The PHD network is part of the Omnicom Media Group (www.omnicommediagroup.com), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).

Manila Harley Owners Group Rally 2016: The Loudest Motorcycle Event of the Year

Harley-Davidson®️ of Manila and the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.®️) - Philippines Chapter are gearing up for the Manila H.O.G.®️ Rally on November 12, 2016 at the Greenhills Promenade.

Beyond the passion for riding and motorcycles, the members of H.O.G.®️ share a brotherhood. Thus, this H.O.G.®️ Rally aims to strengthen ties among members, enthusiasts, and other motorcycle clubs, and at the same time, have all participants contribute to society as one family.

Now on its fourth year, this highly anticipated event will feature a motorcade from the north and south of Luzon, a Harley-Davidson®️ bike show, live performances by legendary local rock bands and artists, bike competitions, good food, and refreshments. The organisers also lined up a beauty pageant to select the 2016 Miss Manila Motorcycle Rally.

"We aren't a group, we are a family."

"Let's throttle together."

Attendees will get a sneak peek of the 2017 Harley-Davidson®️line-up, while aficionados and aspiring Harley owners will surely be excited about the raffle of not one but two Harley-Davidson®️ motorcycles — an Ultra Classic®️ Low and the new Harley-Davidson Street™️ 500.

For tickets & other inquiries, please go to https://www.facebook.com/manilamotorcyclerally/ or manilamotorcyclerally.com

Supporting Filipino entrepreneurs: Independent investor announces USD 1Mfund for investment in PH start-ups

Jose "Joe" Maristela III

[30 SEPT 2016] Filipino serial entrepreneur and investor, Jose “Joe” Maristela III announced through his venture capital firm, Katalyst.PH, a new wave of investment fund amounting to one million US dollars (USD1,000,000).

In the Philippine startup scene despite the emergence of local startup accelerators, innovation hubs, venture capitalists (VCs), and angel investors, the ecosystem still faces many barriers. Capital flowing in is too small compared to other markets. The government roadmap in creating 500 startups with total funding of US$200 million and valuation of US$2 billion by 2020 is quite a stretch, but definitely not impossible because of the limitless possibilities tech start-ups have. Joe’s outlook in the Philippines start-up economy is very positive adding to his high regard for the talents and skills of Filipino entrepreneurs, a series of investment rounds coming from his pocket is imminent.With Satoshi Citadel Industries’ (SCI) recent undisclosed amount of seed funding from Korean web giant Kakao’s venture capital arm KVG, Maristela is currently driven to replicate this through the new wave of investment fund he is putting in.

“In order for a start-up to really grow exponentially, they need to have strong strategic partners and investors. It is only after almost a year that I found the right partner for SCI. John Park, the CEO of KVG and I simply agreed that there is a very promising future for finance in the ASEAN region and we believe that SCI will play a critical role in unearthing these potentials,” said Maristela. 

SCI is one of the first start-ups he invested in that started out as a remittance business through its platform, Rebit.ph. It now continuously strengthens its list of products and services and well on its way with a clear roadmap, a clear market, and a new strategic partner.

“They said a start-up couldn’t take the ‘enterprise’ approach—in that I mean; many critics of SCI said that they couldn’t pull off so many products at the same time at such an early stage, but that is what’s being innovative is all about. The team, of course, is also a key component, with SCI, you will really see that they’re not afraid to try things; fail, learn, and adapt quickly. It’s what’s makes them a “cockroach start-up”—or a start-up that is very resilient,” Maristela added.

Other investments in Philippine-based start-ups

Corporate venture partner, 500 Startups, saw a big potential for growth in one of Maristela’s venture: Qwikwire, where he was second to invest. Kntnt, Inc. (Kntn), another start-up where Maristela poured in some fund is making it big in the digital media and marketing space. Kntnt is earning a reputation for being able to close blue chip accounts in its first few months of operation making the company the official branding and marketing partner of industry giants like Samsung Philippines, Singapore Airlines, and Rustan’s.

“I believe the additional one million USD will go a long way out here given the talent and strong spirit of Filipino entrepreneurs. It will allow us as well to get into several niches that we have not considered investing in yet in the past. These companies don’t need to be in the tech businesses. I believe that there are businesses that are non-tech that can still have great impact and by that I mean start-up businesses that are ready and available to engage 90% of the market within a year or two in operation,” Maristela said.

Aside from angel investing, his thrust is also geared towards helping the government develop a startup ecosystem for an inclusive economy -- making sure that there is a chance for every aspiring entrepreneur in the Philippines to make it big.

Manila Angel Investors Network

Maristela is also backed by a new network where he is a co-founder, the Manila Angel Investors Network (MAIN). It is the brainchild of Rene Benitez, a concurrent member of Sydney Angels. Benitez wants to replicate of the Australian based group in the Philippines. Maristela finds great confidence having MAIN behind him. “I used to do all of this heavy lifting on my own before; reporting back to my partners the progress of my venture builder office with minimal progress every week was a tough challenge, but now that I have MAIN with me, it’s been easier to access resources with due diligence. MAIN also assists me in properly assessing deals,” Maristela said.

MAIN’s reciprocal members include Business Angel Network South East Asia Ltd (BANSEA), Sydney Angels andNew York (NY) Angels among others.

“I’m always on the lookout for opportunities. If people have ideas that they think can make it big out there, they can always apply for funding through www.katalyst.ph. I always check out the submissions and get in touch directly with the founders if I see a great potential in their ideas. I use my personal money in all my investments and course it through Katalyst, my private investment firm. I do not take outside funds, I carry all the risk that’s why I need to carefully assess every start-up I come across with looking for funding,” concluded Maristela.

Tech enthusiasts develop apps for peace in #PeaceHackPh

Manila, 4 October 2016 – Fifty-two developers and programmers competed in the country’s first hackathon for peace in September, coming up with apps that promote tolerance, warn of conflict, or marshal assistance to people affected by conflicts or disasters.

Teaming up by twos or threes or going solo, these tech enthusiasts developed working apps inspired by the hackathon’s theme of ‘Perceive, Engage, Alert, Communicate and Educate’ or P.E.A.C.E. Out of 22 apps, the best six were chosen in the first round of judging, and the winning three in the second round.

Hubert Bryan R. Ursua emerged as the first-prize winner with Peacetalk, a short message service (SMS)-based chatbot helpdesk for people affected by disasters or conflicts and for groups with resources that can respond to victims’ needs.

Michael Gerard T. Galon won the second prize with PHOM or Ph Opinion Mining, an app targeted at Filipinos living abroad that provides info and sentiment about issues and events in the Philippines.

The third prize went to Regine S. Reyes and Renate C. Gouveia for SAAN or Social Action Advocacy Network, an app for providing feedback on government services and enabling similarly-minded individuals to band over or push a particular cause.

The winners received trophies and cash prizes totaling P100,000. They and the other hackathon participants retained ownership of their entries. 

#PeaceHackPh, which took place 24-25 September, was the first hackathon on the theme of peace in the Philippines. It was organized by peacebuilding NGO International Alert Philippines and Smart Developer Network (Smart DevNet), mobile leader Smart Communications Inc.’s developer network. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provided financial support to the activity.

“We see technology as a tool in peacebuilding. Technology can help address or highlight issues that can cause conflict. It can also create the conditions for peace for thrive,” said Nikki Philline C. de la Rosa, deputy country manager of International Alert Philippines.

“There will be a great difference if we will be able to understand carefully and help prevent the root cause of societal issues. We believe that through the help of technology, we will be able to assess and monitor issues as soon as they arise, to prevent them from progressing into full-blown conflicts,” said Paul Pajo, co-founder of Smart DevNet and senior developer evangelist at Smart.

International Alert began holding #peacehack in 2014 as part of its Talking Peace Festival, a two week cultural event to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace and its founding anniversary on Sept. 21. In the past two years, hackathons were held in London, Barcelona, Beirut, Colombo and Washington DC. This year, International Alert has held hackathons in The Hague, Zurich and London.

International Alert, based in London but with offices in conflict-affected countries all over the world including the Philippines, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Its new thrust highlights how everyone can play a part in building ‘everyday peace.’

The Philippines country office spearheaded #PeaceHackPh as part of its celebration of the International Day of Peace. Besides highlighting the use of technology in mitigating conflict or fostering understanding about conflict, it also underscored the ways that ordinary people could get involved in peacebuilding. 

International Alert Philippines is actively involved in the peace process between the government and Moro and communist insurgents; undertakes studies of shadow economies and their links to conflict; facilitates dialogues between companies, communities and government; and has pioneered a conflict monitoring system.

For Ursua, #PeaceHackPh was his first time to place first in a hackathon. The Bicolano and co-founder of a tech start-up said he chose to come up with an app that’s SMS-based after seeing the impact of disasters on his region. 

“People won’t have access to the internet,” he said.

With Peacetalk, people displaced by conflicts or disasters simply send a text to a number and then gain access to information, such as what to do in case they’re sick. “The nice thing about this is people affected by conflicts or disasters will get information about what to do,” Ursua said.

At the same time, groups that respond to humanitarian emergencies will know what things are needed. “People or groups with resources can act on victims’ needs,” Ursua added. 

Ursua and the other winners said they look forward to the next peace hackathon, as it gives them the chance to work on something that can promote change using their skills.

“The success of the first peace hackathon has inspired us to hold another one next year,” said De La Rosa.

“As a tech company and communications provider, we play a key role in mitigating conflicts in the country. We would like to thank International Alert Philippines for spearheading a project like this and for involving us in making a difference in the lives of millions,” said Pajo.

Source: International Alert Philippines

Photo credits to Jorge A. Golle of International Alert Philippines

Curious Curator Artists: Harry Mark Gonzales and Kat Malazarte

(L-R Kat Malazarte and Harry Gonzales during the ribbon cutting)

Curious Curator features Ilonggo artists Harry Mark Gonzales and Kat Malazarte in their first ever exhibit. One is a sculptor; the other, a painter. One is seasoned; the other, budding.

The 34-year-old self-taught artist Harry Mark Gonzales started his love for sculpting when he was still young, “I like sculptures ever since I was a kid. But I started using clay before I used marble.”

His first competition in his craft was the Shell National Student Art Competition where he became one of the finalists. The competition paved the way for him to formally enter the field of sculpting. But his artistry in marble sculpting ignited even more when he bagged the grand prize at the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) Awards in 2007 for his work “A Protest over Guimaras Oil Spill”.

Harry’s artisanship was greatly influenced by a respected multi-media visual artist whom he has worked with, Edward Defensor. They both made the reliefs around the San Rafael rotunda monument in Iloilo. Likewise, master sculptors Juan Sajid Imao and Abdul Asia Imao helped him to learn and perfect the medium of cold-casting.

In the first Curios Curator, he exhibited his cold-cast marble sculptures. His works were dedicated “For those mothers who lost their children, for single women who lost their boyfriends, and to those who really love going back to their memories.” says the artist.

Further he explained that the way he carves shapes and movements is his way appreciating and celebrating the beauty and strength of a woman. He always reminds himself that his art should represent and capture the evolving beauty, emotion, and experiences of a woman, to whom he owes his life.

With spirituality as the main theme in her work, the 21-year-old Kat Malazarte exhibited in this year’s Curious Curator her paintings that recognize the strength of women. She believes that “a woman’s quiet strength is her resilience. That no matter the storms that rage at her life, or the thorns that grow in and out of her womanhood, she, in the end, rises. Like the lotus which blooms amidst the mud. Like the bamboo which stands still after the storm."

She was inspired by the poet and artist Akiane Kramik who is known for paintings of Jesus Christ. This inspiration is very salient in her paintings because like Jesus Christ and Blessed Virgin Mary, there is modesty in her strokes. Her paintings are characterized by purity, inner silence, chastity and contemplation.

Last year, she won grand prize in Vision Petron National Student Art Competition 2015 for her video entry “Tignan Nang Malapitan, Damhin Nang Malalim”.

For her exhibit in Curios Curator, the painter’s inspiration was the Blessed Virgin Mary. “I want show the qualities of Mama Mary as a woman. But the faces of women in the paintings are not the same, there’s no specific face. I used models for the paintings but I change the face to make the subject mysterious.” she said.

The talented oil painter finished all the 8 paintings in just 12 days. “Actually, Curious Curator gave me 2 months to finish it but a lot of things happened in those months. So, I started painting September 1 and finished on September 12. It was very challenging but I just stood with my faith. I prayed and I did my best. Even me, I can’t believe that I finished it in just 12 days.” Kat said.

The creations of the artists, Mark Harry Gonzales and Kat Malazarte, truly create a visual feast that pays homage to the strength that allows women to endure.

Ang Maugdang nga Kusog sang Babaye (The Quiet Strength of a Woman)

From left to right: Prim Paypon, Diane Eustaquio, Marie Young, Manny Garibay, Karen Nomorosa

With the curiosity to articulate the profound perspectives on "the quiet strength of a woman", Curious Curator have put together two artists whose passions and gifts explore the silhouette of a woman in the exhibit "Ang Maugdang nga Kusog sang Babaye" ( The Quiet Strength of a Woman).

Ilonggo artists Kat Malazarte and Harry Gonzales

Featured Ilonggo artists Harry Mark Gonzales and Kat Malazarte showed a contrast in perspectives. One is a man; the other is a woman. One is a sculptor; the other, a painter. One is seasoned; the other, budding.

The art exhibit opened on September 30, 6pm, at A Space Makati.

The organizers Prim Paypon and Karen Joy Nomorosa each delivered a welcome message for the guests before the ribbon cutting and unveiling of the pieces.

Kat Malazarte and Prim Paypon

"My friend Karen and I were trying to interview 30 Negrense artists. We actually found out that five to seven of them are actually award-winning artists, but only one of the 30 is actually privileged to stage a two-person exhibition in Metro Manila. This seems to be the center of the Philippine Art Industry. So we wanted to solve the crisis. How come our most talented and priced artists in Visayas and Mindanao never staged an exhibition here in Metro Manila? So, we were able to look for people to actually make our dreams come true. So, we call ourselves an art incubator and accelerator... So technically, we left the creation of the arts to the artists and we do everything – from funding to banking to personal development to getting the market to staging creations like this. All for the name of Filipino Art Industry. So, we’re very privileged and very grateful that we were able to work with two talented artists.

One is a 21-year old artist. Her name is Kat Malazarte... This is her first exhibition in Metro Manila. Last year, she won the Shell National Arts Competition for students... She happened to be the first cum laude from the University of San Agustin for Fine Arts in their entire history. So, another artist that we worked with is Sir Harry Gonzales. He is also from Iloilo. He specializes in creating sculptures out of marble. He won the Metrobank grand competition for Sculpture in 2007. So, both of them are not only from Iloilo, all their silhouettes for the past years have all been devoted to women. That’s why this entire collection is actually called "Ang Maugdang nga Kusog sang Babaye" which means “a quiet strength of a woman”. So, all the 8 paintings, all the 10 sculptures, they all highlight the emotional intensity and depth of a Filipino woman – from romance to love to dreams and happiness. So, thanks to their gifts and talents for actualizing our vision. Our first vision for Curious Curator. The Curious Curator is also inspired by strong women." - Prim Paypon

Ribbon cutting with the VIPs - Manny Garibay, Diane Eustaquio, Marie Young

Karen Nomorosa

"Prim and I were actually in Iloilo facilitating a workshop when we decided to drop by Casa Real Gallery which is the gallery in the municipal hall of Iloilo city. And the first thing that greeted us when we came in was this lovely, lovely sculpture of a woman –of a lumptious woman. She had this look on her face and she had her cheek on her hand and it looked like she was suffering from some loss but at the same time, she was enduring that loss. The sculpture was titled “The Times That I Miss You”. To a lot of people it might be about heartbreak but for me, it was enduring the loss of somebody you love. So, it has a lot of different interpretations. And then, Prim, you know, being Prim, we were able to get to the back room of Casa Real Gallery. And we were looking at all the different paintings. We actually came across this big, grand portrait of a woman who was closing her eyes, looked like she was contemplating something. It was called “Inner Silence” by Kat Malazarte. So, we were so excited. I think if we had money, we probably would have bought the stuff right there and then but they were already sold. So, no luck for us.

But, when the idea of Curious Curator first came up, the first 2 artists that came to my mind were Kat and Harry. So, the theme for tonight’s exhibit isn’t something that Prim and I magically came up with and told the artists “Uy please interpret this theme”. It was something that was very organic in their work. They both love portraying and depicting the silhouette of the woman and so we just gave them a different angle. We said, maybe you can showcase the different side of your woman, show the quiet strength in them. So, we hope that you guys enjoy tonight’s exhibit. Please see the strength of a woman in times of her loss, in times of pain to her God, in times of showcasing her feminism, in times when she stands up for her virtue and her principles because I think that a lot of the paintings and sculptures today speak to that." - Kat Nomorosa

The microphone was then passed on to the artists who welcomed the guests as well.

Kat Malazarte delivering her welcome message

"Good evening everyone. Thank you for coming here to celebrate with us the silence of the strength of a woman. I would really like to thank the Curious Curator, especially Ate Karen and Kuya Prim for giving us the opportunity. This is my first time here exhibiting in Manila and I want to thank our God for all the blessings I have received. I hope you would appreciate not only the aesthetics of the paintings but also the feelings and the story behind every painting. I invite you not only to look but to feel. So, good evening." - Kat Malazarte

Harry Gonzales delivering his welcome message

"Good evening everyone. First of all, I would like to thank the Curious Curator, of course, A-Space, and the dedicated and very aggressive organizers, Prim and Karen. They are always excited for this exhibition. Of course, thanks to all the guests, Mr. Manny Garibay, of course, and the audience here. I hope you enjoy all the works here in this exhibition. Thank you again." - Harry Gonzales