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This weekend is full of love--for the arts. From art exhibits to book launches, make the most out of the weekend by immersing oneself in local and regional arts and culture.

ABSTRACT MUSINGS

Carlos “Totong” Francisco II and MarPolo Cabrera are headlining the art exhibit, “Above the Headwinds.”

Totong is the grandson of Angono's renowned muralist Carlos “Botong” Francisco while MarPolo is an aspiring artist from Nagcarlan, Laguna. The two have a common love for abstract art.

With the challenges of 2020 in their midst, these two turned to their canvas as a beneficial tool for stress relief and have found the quarantine to be the time to focus on what they do best - creating more artwork.

Totong Francisco II's 'Elegant Deformity' / Source: Artablado

Totong is deeply influenced by Abstract Expressionism, this is his response growing up in the age of Regionalism and what most local artists in Angono, Rizal were doing. He is an artist that reflects comfort and satisfaction especially in today's society where abstract art is somewhat becoming more popular.

For MarPolo, music and art have a close relationship. It is an environment in which jointly affects his creative process. As an abstract expressionist and mixed media artist, his artworks are inspired mostly by the music he listens to, his emotions, and the principle of automatism. To him, music produces a strong emotional response, guiding him through every brush mark and color choice to create a wonderful masterpiece.

“Above the Headwinds” will run until May 31 at ARTablado Level 3, Veranda of Robinsons Galleria. For more updates like and follow ARTablado on Facebook and @artablado on Instagram.

BAGUIO GOES DOWN SOUTH

Missing Baguio specialties due to travel restrictions? The good news is that these are now closer to home at the Old Baguio Market at SM City Sucat, which is now ongoing until May 30, 2021

In partnership with Old Baguio Café, the market highlights the best of Baguio and the Cordilleras. These include premium highlands coffee and cacao products, jams and goodies for pasalubong, cakes and baked delights, indigenous textiles, handwoven crafts, and artwork.

With this, the Old Baguio Market aims to support MSMEs and artisans of the Cordillera region whose livelihoods have been impacted by the pandemic.

Some of the products available are 100% Premium Atok Arabica Coffee at the Old Baguio Café; Choco-Late' de Batirol garden café's classic chocolate de batirol; Dulche Chocolates; Vizco's famous strawberry shortcake; Good Shepherd products like the iconic ube jam; just to name a few.

Artworks are also on sale at the Old Baguio Market / Source: SM Malls

Likewise, the Old Baguio Market showcases the rich indigenous culture and heritage of the Cordilleras with a carefully curated selection of textiles, handicrafts, homeware, bags, and fashion accessories from homegrown social enterprises and cooperatives. These include the Easter Weaving Room, Narda's Handwoven Arts and Crafts, Kinwa Etnika Handicrafts, Mondiguing Furniture, Mayat-An Handicrafts, Accents and Petals, Ibay's Silver Smith, Everything is Pine Manufacturing, Highland Women's Multipurpose Cooperative, Tam-awan Village, Ellebanna Aklang Handicrafts, and Carol Lines Ethnic and Fashion Accessories.

One of the highlights at the Old Baguio Market is the display of artworks from the Pasa-Kalye Baguio Artists, a group of local artists known for their weekly street art festivals. Through the leadership of Maricar Docyogen, a local entrepreneur and owner of Baguio's vintage bookstore, Bookends, the group was formed in 2016 with the aim of promoting local art. Since then, Pasa-Kalye has been able to help artists exhibit and sell their works.

Enjoy the best of Baguio and help support the Cordillera region's homegrown industries, craftsmen, and artists.

BEHIND RED VELVET CURTAINS

Retired theater actor and costume designer Celia Diaz Laurel is set to launch her coffee table book, My Lives Behind the Proscenium on May 29.

The book chronicles the life that Celia Diaz Laurel led with chapter titles: “Stage-struck at Five,” “Wartime Years,” “Dramatic UP Days,” “Yale Years,” and “Back to the Stage at Repertory Philippines.”

“Celia has written an entertaining story about her theatrical life in a straightforward, simple, style that not only will give the curious reader an insight into her life and the social milieu of her time but is a historical narrative of the early years of Manila theatre and the personalities who were part of it. She writes about her early personal life as the background for the successful career she carved out for herself--not only as an actress but as a set and costume designer,” wrote Joy Virata in the foreword of the book.

My Lives Behind the Proscenium book cover / Source: Celia Diaz Laurel

“To become a painter one needs a medium such as charcoal, pastels, watercolor, oils, or acrylic. Armed with an instrument such as a brush, a palette knife, or even your fingers to apply the medium on any surface you choose, you are free to paint anywhere you please - indoors or outdoors. But to become an actor one needs a good script, a director, actors to work with, a producer, a stage, lights, and most of all---an audience,” Celia shares insights about her book.

“Not too many realize that the positive energy from an audience is an essential ingredient that makes, or un-makes, a show,” she says.

The book is edited by Suzie Laurel-Delgado and Cocoy Laurel while Nestor Amador Malgapo Jr. did the book design and cover.

For book reservations and inquiries, kindly please contact Jenn Tejada c/o 88697298.