COFFEE CONVERSATIONS
By Joann Manabat

Sometime in 2021, I went looking for art galleries in Angeles City that remained open at that time. I was meant to write about the local art scene amid the pandemic for an art magazine. I thought it would be great for local artists to pursue their art sans limbos and lockdowns of the COVID-19. I was eager to learn, see what they have created through those that are on display or on view. I thought I could write something about it but I felt disappointed. So then I thought art was dead.

Be that as it may, I know very little of our Kapampangan artists and their artworks. I guess you can say, I have been living under a rock for several years, tied up over a few different things juggling all the lemons that life has thrown at me. Nevertheless, those lemons brought me to where I am now, trying to get a good grasp of what I have and tell stories one byline at a time.

During my 3-year stint with local newspaper Punto! Central Luzon, I have come to know a few of our artists through various art events and exhibits. There is no doubt that Pampanga is rich in culture and tradition. After all, we live in the culinary capital of the Philippines. Kapampangans are also master craftsmen with wood works, clay pots, and the colorful lanterns that we take pride in. We are just as creative and innately passionate. 

But there was a time I wondered where all the arts have gone? Some local artists I was able to talk to on different occasions all said they did not study their craft, that it was born out of a hobby, or that they have been doing it most of their life.

I studied art in school, through the MAPEH subject – yes, the Music, Physical Education, Arts, and Health. Does that count? I only have a little memory of it and apparently I don’t remember being taught how to appreciate art. I just grew up appreciating it. And as I get older, I appreciate it even more.

In a conversation I had with photojournalist and artist Jes Aznar, he said art teaches us how to see things beyond the obvious, especially since our environment now has become highly visual. He said there was a sudden black hole in art education in our country. Some readers tend to have a hard time understanding news articles when their cognitive ability can’t keep up.

“I was talking about visual literacy,” he said. “Something primal and basic to us humans. Visual
literacy is a toolbox, not necessarily a skill. It is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image, extending the meaning of literacy, which commonly signifies interpretation of a written or printed text.” 

Do you think people need to study art? Well, for one, seeing things in different perspectives can induce critical thinking. Art is an essential element of society, of civilization, and of the living souls, I think. Should art remain vital in the modern world?

One of my closest friends, Penny Leander, who is also into art said, “Art for me is a love language, something you create over and over and over. It is like a sense of self, I think. How we see things, how we make them beautiful or ugly, we express that in different ways, through our words, actions, relationships, etc. Art has many facets, different meanings, deeper ones or hidden, and those that remain as it is.”

Bryan de Jesus, who is already in Amsterdam, said “Art is dying in the Philippines, and there’s
little to no regard for artists. It is not studied correctly. Have you seen the current state of the
education system? Sadly, art is for those who can eat 3 times a day and have a little more. When you are struggling to send your kids to school and cannot get paracetamol to make your aching body feel better, art is nothing but noise.”

“Living in a third world country, art is not a necessity, it is a luxury. We live and go through life to survive. Thus, the relative importance of art goes to the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

When it isn’t needed, you don’t speak about it. You don’t study it. Society evolves depending on what you feed it. We are where we are due to the evolution of society. I can see how different it is when you live in a country where quality of life is top notch, you get time to think about and enjoy luxuries.” Do you agree with what Bryan said? 

So, is poverty a factor? I think anyone can come to appreciate art. It’s just a matter of how we open our eyes to it, see things in a different light. Inspiration is everywhere and so is art. We just need to see the value of it, show others of its worth – not in a monetary sense rather its aptness and purpose.

Another of my closest friends, Mark Herrera said in jest, “We dont treasure arts, culture, and our past. Look at the museums compared to other countries, ours is empty except for private art collectors. The most sensible art showcase is from the Ayalas – privately owned. Arts itself is a big universe, some are categorically successful and some have died. It depends on what in particular art we are to look into. But in general there is no evident support from the government or schools to propagate it.”

Angela Norrdell, a friend of mine for more than two decades, said “Compared to 5 years ago, I have observed, based on what I see on social media, that people are more interested now in the arts. Maybe because the place is cozy enough, and nicer like the National Museum and Pinto Art Gallery. Although I am not sure if people go there for the ‘gram. But in terms of architecture, we have groups such as Bamboo Bootcamp where they teach bamboo architecture although it’s a little expensive but I think local governments can also emulate or replicate that. There is a market for art now somehow. It is part of tourism. In other countries, museums are always in their go-to places. As for here, we only have a few.”

Angeles City is celebrating National Arts Month through art exhibits and different art activities
in the city. Local artists have been grateful for the city’s support through various initiatives ever since COVID-19 restrictions were put at ease.

There is a plan to put up a national museum in the Clark Freeport Zone. Based on their press release, a ceremonial signing of the Deed of Usufruct between Clark Development Corporation and the National Museum of the Philippines was held at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila recently. The former Clark Air Base Hospital and the former Eldorado property – a 5.2- hectare and 1.3-hectare land respectively, were identified as the official sites for the proposed regional museum and satellite office.

Although we have the Museo ning Angeles, the Clark Museum, the Pamintuan Mansion, Kalye Lakandula among others, the plan to put the National Museum of the Philippines here is something to look forward to. Hopefully it will commune curated artworks of Filipino artists under one roof. An opportunity to show how rich our culture is through the eyes of our artists and those that see the art beyond.

I can go on and talk about art but I am now down to my last cup. I guess I need to brush up on local arts and culture, learn more about our rich history and maybe one day I’d be able to write them down, share stories of how we have become such creative artisans, passionate ones starting from the world of food to the realm of the theater, the frames of the paintings, to the silhouettes of the sculptures of the saints.