Through My Lens

My collection of limited edition art decor plates has grown. This all started when  someone sold to me Anita Magsaysay-Ho's "Tres Marias" at P500 during the time I see it being sold at P15,000 in Megamall. Of course, I grabbed the opportunity. The man sold it to get it away from his very active five year old. He didn't want to see it breaking and just thought of giving it to someone who could appreciate and take care of it. Thank you , Sir! My "Tres Marias" was the seed that kept me looking for more limited edition plates with the artworks of Filipino masters and National Artists. Today I have a number of them and they bring a smile to my face every single day. Anita Magsaysay-Ho "Tres Marias" Anita Magsaysay-Ho 2011 Botong Francisco 2011 Ang Kiukok 2008 Vintage Anita Magsaysay-Ho and Ang Kiukok Anita Magsaysay Ho 1990 Ang Kiukok 1989 Malang Vendors 2016 HR Ocampo 2013 Vi

This is my third visit to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. The last one was in 2013 and I am simply surprised that it has expanded to about 3x its size in 2013. There are a lot more houses and hotel rooms that have been added and it's just become a more awesome place to bring your balikbayan friends. Well, not everyone is happy with what Mr. Acuzar is doing, demolishing rundown heritage houses, removing them from their original location and restoring them in his beachside property in Bagac, Bataan. Heritage conservationists are totally against him on this. But would you rather see them rot in their original location? I vote for restoring them wherever they can be well taken cared of. I just hope whoever inherits this place will have the same passion as Mr. Acuzar's in taking care of these houses. all photos ©alana palomique please do not use photos without permission

At the 2016 Art in the Park, I was able to purchase these limited edition hand-signed prints of artists whose works have covered the invitations of the event for the last 10 years. Each artwork was printed at 75 pieces, not a big number for those wanting to have their copies. Soon as the park opened, people already rushed and lined up to be able to purchase despite not knowing yet how much they would cost. When the price was finally announced, I saw no one fall out from the line even if they weren't inexpensive. Well, people who are keenly following the art scene in the country know too well that many of these artists have their original works priced at hundreds of thousands and even millions. The beautifully executed prints in giclee, individually hand signed by the artists all sold out in less than hour;   a testament perhaps that many Filipinos are now starting to see the value in and of art. Rodel Tapaya Pamela Yan Charlie Co Dex Fernandez Jomike

  A Do ... Va La Nave ? Paris, 1885 Juan Luna Next Saturday, the wealthiest art patrons of the country will be outbidding each other to bring home this long lost Juan Luna painting. This would be an auction to watch! The painting found its way back home, from Paris to Cordoba to Manila. I am hoping an institution or a museum like the National Museum would win it but if a private individual with tons of moolah gets to bring it home, it will never again be available for the publi c to view. This noon, I decided to visit the auction preview at Rockwell to see the painting in actual. It is beyond awesome! I thought about how crazy Luna was to kill his wife in a fit of jealousy but I also thought of how undeniably talented he is. Of course there are the priceless "Spoilarium" and the controversial P47M "Parisian Life" paintings now at the National Museum that are testaments to this Filipino's genius but my personal appreciation of art chooses "A Do...