SiningSaysay: The Journey of a Nation thru “Philippine History in Art” Exhibit at Gateway Art Gallery

I love arts and history because it transcends me into another world of appreciating life even more, of discovering and learning new things, and of giving me inspiration and motivation to pursue my dreams to become reality. As I aged, I valued things that cannot be measured by money and provided by those people who are more experienced and knowledgeable than I am. Albeit, innovation in technology makes everything within reach however there are still unpublished stories yet to be discovered. And that’s what I’ve learned when I visited the SiningSaysay: Philippine History in Art” exhibit at Gateway Art Gallery wherein 30 murals covering pre-historic Philippines o modern times should serve as a must for every one of us to visit. Boy, it is free to the public so that everyone can see and observe the untold stories that our country has.

Meanwhile, SiningSaysay: Philippine History in Art” exhibit is a joint project of University of the Philippines, UP Alumni Association, and the Araneta Center, hence, students from elementary and secondary school are set to tour the exhibit with expert guidance from teachers and historians. For the young and old experiencing history through these murals, it promises to be a fun and exciting walk. The project team called on the talents of 28 UP alumni artists to bring their visions of history to life on 6ft by 12ft canvasses. Artists consulted renowned historians Dr, Serafin Quiazon and Prof. Ma. Luisa Camagay, and also researched historic materials on the net, in old newspapers, and even old movies and vintage airplane models to help recreate details. The project took four years to complete, first envisioned by the UPAA under Atty. Gari M. Tiongco before it was finally mounted.

“SiningSaysay is an innovative way of teaching history, promoting art appreciation, understanding Filipino identity and imbibing cultural pride; all constituting valuable aspects of teaching and public service, which the University of the Philippines is mandated to do,” said Alfredo E. Pascula, UP President. With that said, similar murals of Philippine history and culture have been painted before, such as the one at the Manila City Hall. Its magnificence notwithstanding, the scope of its panorama is focused primarily on the history of the capital city and, understandably, spans the timeframe of the artist’s life only. SiningSaysay excels in that it presents to the public eye a spectacular tableau if the entire archipelago and a timeline that ends with an ellipsis – dot-dot-dot. In other words, the murals consist of thirty separate panels on canvas, not on immovable masonry, images of yet future events and other milestones can be added afterwards.

SiningSaysay: Philippine History in Art exhibit

In addition, it also documents the journey of a nation. Part of this nation was how she faced invaders who were beguiled by the Philippines and its people. History starts when man invents a system of writing. Through this system of writing, the human past was recorded and passed on to the present generation. From the petroglyphs discovered in Angono, Rizal to a depiction of our Austronesian roots and Philippine tribes, and on to Spanish influence and rule. Thus, visiting the exhibit will make someone to move on to important fragment of history.

The participating artists also formed a veritable who’s who of the Philippines art world, specifically, Adonai Artificio, Armand Bacaltos, Adi Baen-Santos, Grandier Bella, Benjie Cabangis, Ben Cabrera, Angel Cacnio, Romeo Carlos, Cris Cruz, Denes Dasco, Gig De Pio, Simkin De Pio, Vincent De Pio, Neil Doloriconm Norman Dreo, Amado Hidalgo, Abdul Asia, Mari Imao, Ben Infante, Gigi Javier-Alfonso, Aileen Lanuza, Romeo Mananquil, Norlie Meimban, Julius Samson, Jonahmar Salvosa, Randy Solon, Michael Velasco, Jun Yee and Janice Young.

And to give you a glimpse of “SiningSaysay: Philippine History in Art” exhibit, please take a look at these photos. Enjoy and see you there!

SiningSaysay: Philippine History in Art exhibit

the Gateway Art Gallery

Romeo S. A. Carlos, UPAA Project Coordinator, Exec. Director, UP Alumni Association and Artist

MUSLIN in the PHILIPPINES - by National Artist Abdul Mari Asia Imao

Ms. Jingjing Romero of Stratos Inc.

REUNION: CHINESE in the PHILIPPINES - by Janice Young

Prof. Ma Luisa T. Camagay, Historian, Writer Member, UP Project Team

GALLEON TRADE - by Jonahmar A. Salvosa (standing beneath his obra)

PHILIPPINE FESTIVALS - by Romeo S.A. Carlos

THE WEST DISCOVERS the PHILIPPINES I - by Armand B. Bacaltos (standing beneath his obra)

more murals to see!

RAMOS / ESTRADA ADMINISTRATION - by Michael N. Velasco

Gateway Art Gallery

The exhibit is open every day, from 11am to 7pm at Gateway Art Gallery, 5/L Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City. FREE ADMISSION. 

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