Banwa Private Island is proud to share its recent initiatives supporting biodiversity conservation through art and education. As a top 10 Philippine area for sharks and rays, we are dedicated to preserving our diverse ecosystems and are proud to be recognized for our efforts.
The one-night-only “Biodiversity in Full Color” art exhibition showcased the stunning artworks of Samantha Kaspar, a talented artist with a passion for nature. Her paintings highlight the island’s rich biodiversity, inspiring viewers to appreciate and protect our natural world.
Banwa Private Island’s commitment to conservation extends beyond its role as a sanctuary for marine life. The island has undertaken important research projects, including studies on the native Tabon Bird (or Philippine Megapode) and Mantanani Scops Owl, as well as initiatives to preserve the indigenous beach forests where these species nest.
Ms. Janet Oquendo, Island Manager, stated, “Samantha’s artworks beautifully capture the essence of our island’s biodiversity. We’re honored to support her and continue contributing to its preservation.”
The photo shows Ms. Samantha Kaspar standing in front of the bed headframe coral artwork at the Northeast Principal Villa on Banwa Private Island (above photo of the collage). This stunning piece, inspired by the island’s thriving coral reef, served as one of her painting inspirations for the recent art exhibit (below photo of the collage). The bed headframe’s design is a testament to the Aquos Foundation’s Reef Ball regeneration project.
In addition to the art exhibition, Banwa Private Island’s Aquos Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine conservation, partnered with the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Management Office to introduce the book “Mga Hero ng Planetang Blue” to local students, inspiring them to become environmental guardians.
Our commitment to supporting initiatives that promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices is unwavering. We are dedicated to preserving our diverse ecosystems and are proud to be recognized for our efforts.
Banwa Private Island is proud to support the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and its initiatives to raise awareness about biodiversity conservation through art and education.
The one-night-only “Biodiversity in Full Color” art exhibition, a culmination of our conservation and art initiatives, showcased the stunning artworks of Ms. Samantha Kaspar, a talented artist with special needs whose passion for nature is evident in her vibrant paintings. Her works featured a diverse array of species, from colorful birds and fish to intricate corals and plants.
As a testament to its efforts, Banwa Private Island was recently recognized as one of the Philippines’ top 10 Important Shark and Ray Areas. This recognition highlights the island’s critical importance in preserving these vulnerable species and their habitats. To further bolster its conservation efforts, the island has undertaken important research projects, including studies on the native Tabon Bird (or Philippine Megapode) and Mantanani Scops Owl, as well as initiatives to preserve the indigenous beach forests where these species nest.
Ms. Janet Oquendo, Island Manager of Banwa Private Island, stated, “Aquos Foundation’s mission to protect marine ecosystems deeply resonates with Ms. Samantha’s beautiful and evocative artworks. Her paintings capture the essence of the underwater world, reminding us of the delicate balance of nature. We’re honored to have supported her and to continue contributing to the preservation of our island home’s fragile ecosystems through our conservation initiatives, including research on native species and habitat preservation.”
In addition to the art exhibition, Banwa Private Island’s Aquos Foundation, in partnership with the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and World Heritage Site Management Office, recently held an inspiring event for students from Tumarbong Elementary School. The event featured the introduction of the book “Mga Hero ng Planetang Blue,” produced by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. The book inspires young readers to become guardians of our planet.
‘Biodiversity in Full Color’ art exhibit was a resounding success, demonstrating the power of art to connect people with nature and inspire action. Banwa Private Island remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices, both through art and education.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
Acclaimed artist Kublai Millan’s latest exhibit, Land of Premise, was officially inaugurated at The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery on August 1, 2024. This solo exhibit, featuring a compelling collection of 14 paintings, invites guests to explore the untapped potential of Mindanao and envision a future where its promises are fulfilled.
In his remarks, Kublai emphasized that Land of Premise is more than just an artistic showcase; it is a bridge to understanding Mindanao’s rich heritage and future possibilities. “Words cannot build a future. Only actions and resources can. Know the premise so we can conceive a fulfillable promise,” he stated.
The opening reception featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Kublai Millan, along with Marvin Kim Tan, The Manila Hotel’s vice president for sales and marketing, Jeremy Barns, Director-General of the National Museum of the Philippines, Cecile Guidote Alvarez, founder of Philippine Educational Theater Association, Nancy dela Rosa, wife of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and Flora Chua, member of the Board of Philippine Cancer Society.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Dr. Jaime Laya, president of Philtrust Bank, Atty. Elba Cruz, CEO and chief curator of Manila Clock Tower Museum, as well as representatives from the office of the Vice Mayor, City of Manila, and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila. Guests enjoyed an afternoon of cocktails and conversation amid the vibrant display of Kublai’s artistry.
Land of Premise is on display at the Art Gallery through August 31, 2024. Admission is free, and the artworks are available for purchase at ₱440,000.00 each (shipping not included).
For further details or to inquire about purchasing, please call +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500, or email r.**@th************.com.
About The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is located beside kilometer zero (0), where the City of Manila begins, and is within walking distance from the Philippines’ known landmarks: Rizal Park, Intramuros, and National Museums. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel is the choice hotel for the most distinguished clientele.
Since 1912, The Manila Hotel has continuously provided the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 500 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms, including three (3) ballrooms. Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with the Manila Hotel Spa, adult and children’s pools, and the Manila Hotel Health Club.
The hotel is home to the Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of priceless memories that narrate its illustrious past. It also has an Art Gallery that offers a window into a contemporary world, captured through the objective point of view of different artists.
It has six (6) dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure: Café Ilang-Ilang, which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila — it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessen that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
Couplet Art might sound unfamiliar to some people. Therefore, we will reveal and take a look at what’s interesting about this art.
A couplet is a pair of lines in poetry that usually has set tones in it. It is usually incorporates with Chinese calligraphy that is written out using brush and ink. Those compositions combine the beauty of written words with an aesthetic visual of an artwork.
This is an example of the couplet art. It was created by an Indonesian-Chinese Calligrapher, Hidajat Purnama (born circa 1941). Alongside being a businessman, Hidajat Purnama or Fang Fu Jie (方福捷) is a poet & calligrapher.
The couplet (讀書 寫字種花草, 聽雨觀雲品酒茶。) has been quite popular in the calligraphy community since 2022. “It represents the writer’s daily life in his retirement age. It is a humble expression yet deep with philosophical reflections that resonate with many other poets or calligraphers. Hence, it’s frequent use as a calligraphy material,” said Rin Fang, Purnama’s daughter.
At first, some people in the community couldn’t find the original writer of the poetry. Then, there was speculating information about the wonderful couplet art by Mr. Hidajat Purnama. Some of them (in the community) mistakenly thought that it was written by ancient poets from either the Song or Tang Dynasty.
The writer found out that his couplet was widely used when he saw his couplet was rewritten by his friend on Facebook, who is also a calligraphy enthusiast. Then, he also found it appeared on other platforms such as YouTube and shared videos.
He began to search for his own poetry on Google, and the results showed that his couplets were being shared and became topics. It is beyond what he expected. “We were so happy and entertained to know that his couplet got accepted and used as material by Mandarin Calligraphers in another country. And, it’s such an honor for him as a writer from Indonesia,” said Rin Fang.
Hidajat Purnama had been interested in classical Chinese literature since he was young. His daughter, Rin Fang, revealed that her father also likes to write poems & prose. Mr. Purnama likes to share his artwork starting on a local daily. As a writer, he has also participated in international-scale calligraphy events, became the chairman of the Association of Calligraphy and Chinese Painting in Semarang, and has received multiple awards locally and internationally.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
Manila Vice Mayor, public servant, accomplished actor, and multi-talented artist, John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, is set to captivate art enthusiasts with his highly anticipated solo exhibit, Directions II, at the exclusive Art Gallery of The Manila Hotel.
While widely recognized for his acting prowess, Yul Servo Nieto’s passion for art extends beyond the screen. This exhibition showcases the artist’s unique vision and exceptional creativity, where he masterfully transforms discarded metal scraps into stunning works of art. “We are honored that Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto granted our request for him to hold his second solo exhibit in our art gallery,” says Marvin Kim Tan, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Manila Hotel.
Following the resounding success of his debut exhibit, Yul Servo Nieto pushes the boundaries of artistic expression even further in his latest endeavor. Directions II serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to environmental consciousness and the power of art to evoke meaningful conversations.
Yul Servo Nieto draws inspiration from his father, Martin Nieto, an architecture graduate and a visual artist, who became one of the enterprising pioneers of the giant billboard advertising industry in the Philippines. While his father’s media of choice are oil and acrylic, Nieto explores the world of metal sculpture. Despite their divergent artistic paths, their love for arts is a common ground of support for each other’s endeavors.
Embark on an inspiring artistic discourse at Yul Servo Nieto’s Directions II exhibit as he showcases masterful pieces on the walls of The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery starting June 12, 2023.
Net proceeds from the sale of Servo’s works will go to selected beneficiaries and charitable organizations.
For more information, please contact +632 852700111 or +632 53015500.
About The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 500 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms including three (3) ballrooms.
Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with the Manila Hotel Spa, adult and children’s pools, and Manila Hotel Health Club. The hotel is home to the Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of priceless memories that narrate its illustrious past. It also has an Art Gallery which offers a window into a contemporary world, captured through the objective point of view of different artists.
It has six (6) dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure: Café Ilang-Ilang which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila—it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, breads, chocolates, and pralines.
From May 8 to 20, Project Hulmahan is setting foot at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery. The art exhibit features a diverse range of artworks such as sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces — all using shoe molds — created by both established and emerging artists who share a passion for helping others through their art.
“We looked for volunteer artists by posting publicly on Facebook who was willing to paint or make any kind of art out of hulmahan [shoe molds] that are no longer being used because the pandemic hit the struggling shoe industry in Marikina, the Shoe Capital of the Philippines,” relates Bernardo. The call for volunteers had a positive response and hundreds of artists all over the Philippines expressed interest.
The Manila Hotel’s creative consultant Rachy Cuna, National Artists Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and Kidlat Tahimik, sculptors Pete Jimenez, Jonathan Dangue, Julie Lluch-Dalena, and thespian Dolly De Leon are some of the participating artists whose works are featured in Project Hulmahan.
Project Hulmahan is the brainchild of Zena Bernardo, one of the members of Ladies Who Launch (LWL) and one of the co-founders of Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya. Ms. Bernardo met with shut-down shoe manufacturers in her hometown, Marikina, and their group purchased almost 500 pairs of shoe molds to transform them into artworks to earn funds for community-based activities.
“It is fitting that The Manila Hotel collaborates with inspiring ladies, as the Grand Dame celebrates ladies, especially mothers, in the month of May,” says Marvin Kim Tan, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Manila Hotel. Ladies Who Launch is a four-woman team comprised of Zena Bernardo (mother of Ana Patricia ‘Patreng’ of the famed Maginhawa community pantry), Dolly De Leon, internationally acclaimed actress, Judith Albano, and Jasmine Ong. They were the founders of the community kitchen, which assisted many people during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The proceeds from the artworks will benefit the advocacy efforts of these three organizations: Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya for community kitchen and livelihood programs, The Community Kitchen Project for national disaster response, and a community-based art school for kids.
“Sa akin napaka-deep ng story ng [Project] Hulmahan. We want to give dignity back to the community; we consider them as partners in our community-based projects and not beggars. We may not be popular, but we want to be transparent and accountable. [Project] Hulmahan is about molding a person and molding a society. The success of this project will depend on working together and pooling resources so we can ensure that those in need have access to necessities during these challenging times,” says Bernardo.
Project Hulmahan is on display at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery until May 20, 2023. Admission is free.
To culminate the fundraising endeavor, a grand auction will be held at Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel on May 21 from 6 PM to 11 PM. This is by invitation only.
About The Manila Hotel
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 515 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms.
Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with The Manila Hotel Spa and Health Club. It has 6 dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure: Café Ilang-Ilang which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of International buffet delights; Champagne Room with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila—it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting; Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music; Lobby Lounge which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings; Red Jade, a fine dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine; and Delicatessens that offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
One of the galleries that will be participating in Art in the Park 2023 is Art Cube Gallery featuring Isko Andrade for special exhibits. For this year’s art fair, 60 exhibit booths representing galleries, art collectives, independent art spaces, and student groups will showcase and sell an assortment of exceptional pieces by seasoned and rising artists.
Looking to build your art collection on a budget? Don’t miss this chance as the annual Art in the Park, famed for being the most anticipated affordable art fair in the country, returns outdoors on March 19, at Jaime Velazquez Park, Makati City to mark its 17th year of celebrating and championing Filipino artistry.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) once again teamed up with Art in the Park 2023 to offer flexible payment options for fairgoers with BPI Cards when they shop for art at the exhibit-sale, which runs for one whole day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“BPI has been supporting Art in the Park for continuously uplifting the vibrant Filipino art scene and for providing a platform for our valuable contributors of art whose works truly merit more support and respect. It also makes art accessible to Filipinos, helping them learn more about art and Filipino artists,” said Jenny Lacerna, BPI Product and Sales Head for Unsecured Lending and Cards.
For this year’s edition, 60 exhibit booths representing galleries, art collectives, independent art spaces, and student groups will be showcasing and selling an assortment of exceptional pieces by seasoned and rising artists.
One of the galleries that will be participating in Art Cube Gallery featuring Isko Andrade for special exhibits.
“Art Cube Gallery has been a backbone of the Philippine contemporary art scene since it was established in 2012 for helping Filipino artists get their well-deserved spotlight,” said Lacerna.
The said Gallery provides a platform for talented young artists to showcase their works before an extensive roster of art collectors, as well as help promote the careers of seasoned artists by giving art aficionados broad access to their work in international art exhibitions. The gallery has so far mounted over 100 art exhibitions here and abroad involving award-winning and seasoned artists, as well as promising young painters and sculptors.
Francis Eugene E. Andrade, also known as Isko Andrade, is a young artist based in Bulacan who has been known for sharing his stories through his artworks that evoke a sense of nostalgia. He received several awards and citations such as Shell National Student Art Competition and Metrobank Art Design Excellence Competition. He is a graduate of fine arts with a major in visual communication at Bulacan State University.
For his show titled Intersections II, Andrade uses knots as his art subject to depict his own impression of ‘persevering’ by utilizing oil paint on canvas.
Lacerna said art as an asset remains an auspicious investment as it tends to hold its value over time in contrast with other asset classes whose value has the propensity to decline sharply when the market crashes.
“What’s really enticing about collecting and investing in art is that aside from having a potentially lucrative return in the long-term, they can also make stunning display pieces at home,” she said.
BPI Cardholders can enjoy an exclusive Real 0% Special Installment Plan for up to 6 months and buy now and pay 3 months later using their BPI credit cards.
Organized by Philippine Art Events, Inc. and supported by BPI, Art in the Park will continue to benefit the Museum Foundation of the Philippines in support of its projects and programs for the National Museum of the Philippines and its network.
Yul Servo Nieto draws inspiration from his father, Martin Nieto, an architecture graduate and a visual artist, who became one of the enterprising pioneers of the giant billboard advertising industry in the Philippines. While his father’s media of choice are oil and acrylic, Nieto explores the world of metal sculpture. Despite their divergent artistic paths, their love for arts is a common ground of support for each other’s endeavors.
From May 8 to 20, Project Hulmahan is setting foot at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery. The art exhibit features a diverse range of artworks such as sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces — all using shoe molds — created by both established and emerging artists who share a passion for helping others through their art.
The Manila Hotel is situated in the heart of the City of Manila. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel maintains to be the choice hotel of the most distinguished clientele. Over the years, The Manila Hotel continuously provides the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience. It has more than 515 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms.
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