UNICEF cards bring back Paskong Pinoy

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• Give the gift of joy with limited-edition UNICEF Christmas cards  featuring the work of National Artist Larry Alcala

UNICEF shares in the excitement of the upcoming holiday season as the country opens up after a long period of lockdowns. The UN children’s agency brings back a Pinoy kind of Christmas with holiday cards featuring National Artist and master cartoonist Larry Alcala.

Showcasing Alcala’s iconic work from his Slice of Life cartoons, Remembering the Joy of Paskong Pinoy is a limited-edition set of cards that embodies the spirit of generosity and community that is the hallmark of Filipino culture.

From homes decorated with light-filled parols, to the bibingka and puto bumbong stalls that greet Simbang Gabi attendees, to the little ones’ laughter and joy as they make merry during their favorite time of the year, Mang Larry captures these uniquely Pinoy moments.

“UNICEF wanted to capture the color and spirit of one of the longest Christmas celebrations in the world. When you give the gift of a UNICEF Christmas card, you not only bring a smile to your family or friends, you also give the gift of health and well-being to children in the Philippines,” shares Carli Snyman, Chief of Fundraising, UNICEF Philippines

Last year’s edition of UNICEF Christmas cards made by artist Robert Alejandro raised PHP8.4 million for children in the Philippines, among them children affected by Typhoon Odette. This year’s edition is a fitting tribute to one of the icons of Philippine art.

“This year marks the 20th anniversary of my grandfather’s passing, and I think this project brings together so many things about his legacy. As a cartoonist, his work has been one of the most accessible forms of Philippine art, enjoyed by people of all ages, from all walks of life. So many people have shared to me their childhood memories of looking through lolo’s Slice of Life in the Sunday paper, and I’m so happy that with these Christmas cards, a new generation of children will not only enjoy his work but also benefit from the proceeds of this fundraising,” shares Ana Alcala, granddaughter of National Artist Larry Alcala.

Just like these nostalgic and heartwarming Christmas Cards, UNICEF hopes to bring back joy to children and the young at heart through this fundraising campaign. Proceeds of each UNICEF Slice of Life Greeting Card set will go towards helping vulnerable children stay healthy, educated and protected – before, during and after emergencies.

Get one set of UNICEF Cards featuring the work of National Artist Larry Alcala for every Php 1,000 you donate—and give children the chance for a better, brighter, and healthier future. Donate now at https://donate.unicef.ph

*Delivery of cards start in October 2022

About UNICEF Cards

UNICEF's first greeting card was a painting by seven-year-old Jitka Samkova, whose village in Czechoslovakia received UNICEF emergency assistance in the form of food and medicine following World War II. Since then, giants of contemporary art, including Picasso, Matisse, Miro, and Chagall, have created original artwork for the cards. Every greeting card will help fund lifesaving vaccines, nutrition, education, and emergency relief for the world's most vulnerable children.

About the Artist

Larry Alcala (1926 - 2002) was posthumously conferred the title of National Artist for the Visual Arts and the Grand Collar of the Order ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining for his contributions in editorial cartooning and illustration. Known for his iconic cartoons "Mang Ambo" and "Kalabog en Bosyo," among others, Larry Alcala has inspired generations of cartoonists and comic artists.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. In more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children in the Philippines, visit www.unicef.ph. Follow UNICEF Philippines on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information, please contact

Niko Wieland | Chief of Communication | +63 917 867 8366 | nmwieland@unicef.org

Marge Francia | Communication Officer | +63 917 858 9447 | mfrancia@unicef.org

Leon Gallery's Magnificent September Auction 2015 highlights early works with fascinating histories; Rare finds, Objet d'art, and Contemporary pieces

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Early works with fascinating histories; Rare finds, Objet d'art, and Contemporary pieces highlight Leon Gallery's Magnificent September Auction 2015.

For the Magnificent September Auction 2015 of Leon Gallery located at the G/F, Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City, happening on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at 2 PM, art pieces with fascinating histories, early works from first solo-exhibitions, Objet d'art, and cutting-edge contemporary works highlight this much-awaited sale.

Two artworks from the respective early shows of Anita Magsaysay-Ho – “Boti! Garapa!” circa 1946 – and Benedicto Cabrera – “Scavenger” from 1966 – each with fascinating histories and back stories, are sure to delight discriminating collectors.

As part of the post-war rehabilitation efforts of the Commonwealth government of President Sergio Osmena, with the aim to reconstruct our damaged cultural institutions and the “renascent vigor of Philippine culture,” an exhibition of paintings of Anita Magsaysay-Ho – 47 artworks in all, including the oil on wood work “Boti! Garapa!” – was held at the United States Information Library in Intramuros on February 23 to March 10, 1946 with First Lady Esperanza Osmena as Guest of Honor during the opening reception. 

Galo B. Ocampo, who at that time was the Chief of the Art Section, Office of the President, and incidentally, her classmate at UP, described the choice of Anita thus: “In the paintings of Miss Magsaysay, one sees an exceptionally gifted artist who will go on hurdling the obstacles that stand on the way.”

Meanwhile in 1966, all of 24 years old, Benedicto Cabrera – or Bencab as the artist is more popularly known – together with his brother Salvador and friends Bibsy Carballo and Francisco Navarro, opened the Indigo Gallery in Mabini with his first solo show of some sixteen artworks, including this piece “Scavenger”. 

Debuting as well at this juncture was "Sabel" – the most recognized subject to appear in Bencab's canvas, a real life vagabond who used to roam around Bambang district in Sampaloc where the artist grew up. 

It is fascinating to note that Magsaysay-Ho's “Boti! Garapa!” was retrieved from a garage sale for the trifling sum of 20 US dollars and Bencab's “Scavenger” was found at a Salvation Army sale for 4.99 US dollars! 

An untitled work by Juan Luna – signed and dated 1884, oil on canvas – and featuring a comely European lady depicted in full figure in the formal dress of the time, bares importance. It was acquired by National Artist Carlos Quirino, then the aid-de-camp of President Elpidio Quirino, during the latters State Visit to Spain in 1951.

Two pieces by Romulo Olazo, preeminent modernist master, from his Diaphanous series, whose recent passing surprised the art word, stand as testaments to his indomitable commitment and devotion to his craft. 

“Sin Titulo”, Fernando Zobel's stunning oil on canvas work from 1963 is one of the largest and more complex art pieces by Zobel to come out of this period. The resulting work presents a totally different approach to canvas, all the more ethereal and sophisticated. 

A pair of silver Paliteras (Palilleras) from the Suarez-Joven family of Bacolor Pampanga, harkens to bygone, halcyon era – the 1850's – of refined and elegant living. 

Capping our survey is a powerful round-up of contemporary art pieces led by Ronald Ventura with his untitled work from 2010 and a series in mixed media from 2005 and 2006. Jigger Cruz's “Wandering Carnival” signed and dated 2015 bares his trademark agitated, viscous style of deliberate defacement. 

Rodel Tapaya with his “The Fairy's Flower Garden” is a powerful narrative where his vivid renditions give to form what we ourselves imagine. 

Truly, regardless of appreciation, inclination, and persuasion, there are artworks and pieces certain to delight various collectors in our Magnificent September Auction 2015.

The Leon Gallery Magnificent September Auction 2015 will be held on September 12, 2015, Saturday, 2 PM at the G/F, Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City. For more details, visit http://leon-gallery.com/ | info@leon-gallery.com | +632 856 2781

Some Photos : Arts & Travel Magazine

PH National Artist Bencab celebrates 50 years of his art practice and heads to Lopez Museum with 'Frames of Reference'

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National Artist BenCab (Benedicto Cabrera) at the Lopez Museum & Library for the feature exhibit "Frames of Reference" open to the public starting April 23 - July 4, 2015.

Philippines National Artist BenCab (Benedicto Cabrera) celebrates fifty years of his art practice with a series of multi-sited exhibitions and events. As a fitting kick off, the first exhibition will be held at the Lopez Museum's Library section and will be open to the public starting April 23 up to July 4, 2015.

Frames of Reference offers a glimpse into his life and art practice during the late 1960s onwards, while living and exhibiting abroad and his eventual return to the Philippines for good.

BenCab Self-portrait

More than his works, the exhibition is an intimate portrait of the artist, the lover, the family man, the bibliophile and a collector, among other hats he has and continues to wear.

Never before exhibited, about 15 of his art-books will be made available to the public. These small scrapbook-like compilations of collages (clippings and cut-outs), drawings and sketches interspersed with his handwriting; prominently feature his love for nostalgia, handmade paper and bookbinding.

A page from one of his art-books. Artist’s Collection. Photo by Wig Tysmans.

A diaristic presentation of his aesthetics, letters, mementos and other keepsakes also find their way into the pages.

A page from one of his art-books. Artist’s Collection. Photo by Wig Tysmans.

Other hand-crafted books show the early studies and iterations of some of his most important series of works: Sabel, Larawan and Japanese Women (ukiyo-e). Also included in the exhibition are early folios of prints he was a part of, along with other Filipino and foreign artists.

The Lopez Museum and Library is also proud to exhibit three works from its own collection, including the iconic Soldiers (Heroes of the Past IV),1998.

Frames of Reference is curated by Dannie Alvarez and is co-presented by Bencab Art Foundation; Sureste Properties, Inc.; Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. (SEPCO), our technology partner; and Gourmet Farms Inc., our public programs partner.

For more information, call Tina at 6312417 or email lmmpasig@gmail.com. Lopez Museum and Library is at the G/F Benpres Bldg., Meralco cor. Exchange Rd., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Museum and library hours are 8-5pm Mondays through Saturdays except Sundays and holidays.