5th Year of Mujeres Del Artes - In Celebration of Women's Month and in honor to Ms. Dyna Ondoy

Last 5 March 2023, Sunday, thirty-two (32) women artists of ARTipolo held the opening for the 5th year All-Women group exhibit to commemorate Women's month and to give tribute to the late Ms. Dyna Ondoy, member of the board of ARTipolo Group.

This year, the Mujeres Del Artes is chaired by Ms. Marie Claire Olondriz, a member of the ARTipolo board and an impressionism painter. The event is participated by the following female artists (see poster below):

The program for the opening started with a prayer song, and prayer led by Ms. Corazon Patarata, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. After the opening proper, Mr. Pol Mesina, Jr. welcomed the participants, guests, and members who were present during the said event. He explained that the objective of the said event is not just to celebrate Women's Month but also to honor the memories of Ms. Dyna Ondoy, an active member of the ARTipolo group, well respected and acknowledged by the members. She was the finance head or treasure of the group and she always gave great ideas that helped the group develop and be known by many in the art field. Mr. Pol also shared that Ms. Dyna Ondoy has held solo exhibits that earned millions for its beneficiaries. She openly shared her talent to help others and not much for her welfare.  

Mr. Edwin Ondoy, the husband of Ms. Dyna also shared a special message about the group. He mentioned in his speech that the ARTipolo group indeed played an important part in making Ms. Dyna happy in life. Before Ms. Dyna succumbed to rest, she humbly tell her husband that she feels her talent is given to her not for her to own but to share. She always wears a smile whenever she joins exhibits and she never showed her frailties so as not to cause worries to others. Mr. Edwin thanked the group and expressed that ARTipolo is a family of the Ondoy. There are still some works of art by Ms. Dyna that he shared with the group so that her work will still be enjoyed by many.

After Mr. Edwin Ondoy's remarks, a video message from the exhibit's curator, Ms. Magel Cadapan was played. She was sorry that she was not able to be present but the felt privileged to be offering her best wishes for the success of the group. She congratulated the women who joined the exhibit. Right after Ms. Magel's message, we invited the rest of the Guests of Honor to share their thoughts and message with all participating artists. Here are the lists of guests present during that day:

• Ms. Charito Dolot of Soroptimist Antipolo Chapter
• Mr. Romeo Gutierrez, an Art Professor and Visual Artist
• Ms. Cyd Marquez, from Soroptimist
• The representative sent by Gov. Nina Ricci Alcantara Ynares-Chionbian, Dr. Corazon S. Lacerna of Provincial Tourism Office
• Ms. Mikaela Hallare, the COO of LeBlanc

Among the Guests of Honor is Ms. Ivy Averilla, the best friend of Ms. Dyna Ondoy. She talked last among the guests, and her message is followed by members of ARTipolo who have long known Ms. Dyna Ondoy, to share a few memorable experiences they had with Ms. Dyna. Everyone was elated and nostalgic as they reminisced on Ms. Ondoy's kindness, humbleness, and open smiles. Those who have shared are...

• Ms. Eleanor Habal-Robleza
• Mr. Aris Venturez
• Ms. Chriselle Guzik
• Mr. Mark Joseph Beloria
• Mr. Jun Vicaldo, and 
• Ms. Corazon Patarata

After their messages, a quick, unplanned, unpracticed but fun dance of the exhibitors brought touches of laughter and fun to all who were present during the event. This lifted the spirit of everyone. Then the opening of the exhibit is done with a ceremonial toast.  

As everyone lined up for the potluck snacks, Ms. Paulette, daughter of one of our exhibitors, Ms. Dea Solis, enlivened the atmosphere with her theatrical rendition. 

Four (4) paintings were sold that day. There are still many beautiful pieces waiting to find their home. The exhibit will run until the end of this month, March 30, 2023. We invite all art enthusiasts to check out our exhibit at Hotel Leblanc. For a taste of what is in store, see some of the paintings on the exhibit below.

 

Here are some photos of guests and exhibitors during the opening ceremony: 

 

Psalms 46:5

“God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”

King James Version (KJV)

"To God be the Glory!"

 

LINK: EAT, SING AND ART (ALL IN ONE PLACE)

If you are looking for a place to get inspired or enjoy creativity, this is one place you should check out - MC Bar and Restaurant.  It is located at F. Calderon St., corner Jose Abad Santos, Little Baguio San Juan Quezon City.

Last 30 December 2022, ARTipolo Group's new Board of Directors visited Atty. Roland Tulay's exhibit at his very own resto-bar. We were fed, had some chill time, and met amazingly groovy people from the Department of Agriculture (DA), where Atty. Tulay also works at. It was a fresh revelation to witness individuals you may categorize as severe or profound but fun-loving, extremely creative, and adventurous when viewed differently. You cannot really "judge" a book by its cover (and so I was thinking, which side is the cover? LOL). For one, Atty. Tulay sings well... talks well... and paints really-really well! His passion is remarkable.

Atty. Roland Tulay with ARTipolo Board Directors

During that night, Atty. Tulay introduced us to Korean cuisine, and we enjoyed the food. The attorney also introduced the members of his crew. You will be surprised as he proudly shared how his chef will leave him by January to go to New Zealand for greener pastures. He is proud that he found a gem and willing to let go of him. Another one of the crew was introduced to us as "not a waiter" but actually a tattoo artist helping him part-time to jam with him in MC Bar and Resto. 

As mentioned earlier, the DA people were also there. Halfway through our stay, Ms. Kristine Y. Evangelista, Assistant Secretary for Consumer Affairs and DA Spokesperson, arrived. You may have heard of her if you were monitoring the news because of the shortage of onions. 

From left to right:  Engr. Ysmael Fontanilla, ARTipolo President Pol Mesina Jr., children of Ms. Evangelista, ASEC/spokesperson Kristine Evangelista, Atty. Roland Tulay, Mary Rose Gob, Maritess Mesina, Marie Claire Olondris-De Chavez, Mr. & Mrs. Mavic/Jun Vicaldo 

Atty. Tulay introduced Ms. Evangelista to us, and we grabbed the opportunity for a photoshoot. 

Then as Atty. Tulay showed Ms. Evangelista her exhibit, explaining each panel on the show; I listened intently to understand his painting process. To share how he worked on his art, here's some of Atty. Tulay's sharing...

"I don't rush my work; it takes time to finish one painting. Most of my works are of water because I love how lights reflect on the water. Sometimes I watched the water capture its movement and tried to translate it into a canvas. Also, some of my paintings are products of my dream. Sometimes I could not take a batch for long hours just to finish my work because I don't want to forget it and lose the moment." - Atty. Tulay

Interestingly, Atty. Tulay's wife is a Fine Arts graduate, but it was Atty. Tulay spent more time producing artwork. He shared that the idea of his resto was also inspired when he attended ARTipolo's exhibit in R Gallery in March 2019. (It was an exhibit organized by Cascade Art Studio in partnership with ARtipolo Group and the Autism Society of the Philippines. The event was entitled "Cartwheel," a fundraising event to support students of CASCADE. Read the past article here: Cascade and ARTipolo Exhibit in R-Gallery).  He mentioned that there was poem reading, choir singing, and instrument playing during the opening of the event -- which gave him the idea to have the same venue where his band can practice and play, visitors can sing, dine and view paintings that adorn the walls of MC Bar and Resto.

Atty. Tulay opened the opportunities for fellow artists of ARTipolo to exhibit their works all year round. For January, come and visit this place. You may be able to buy Atty. Tulay's paintings or just dining and singing to relieve stress by the end of the day's work.