48. Review: PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Category: Books 
Genre: Arts & Photography 
Author: Christiane L. de la Paz 
Hardbound, 364 pp. Arte de las Islas © 2009 , Limited Edition of 1,000 Copies,with a companion interactive CD

Before I write a review about this book, let me recount how I found it, lost it and finally tracked it down in Greenhills.

I have seen this book in an uppity bookstore in Rockwell, and actually became interested in it upon leafing through a few pages.

When I made a decision to get it, it was gone. The Customer Care guy with a fake, affected English accent checked out other other branches and a copy of the book was confirmed to be available at the Greenhills branch—a long way off from Makati.

When I asked him if it could be delivered to their Makati branch, he answered in the negative, which I found really strange. (I miss the friendliness and efficiency of National Bookstore) . Anyway, he said, there might be a volume available at their EDSA Shangrila branch, which, at least is nearer. He got my contact number, promised to give me a ring, but he never did. A few weeks after, I found myself in the Greenhills area and remembered the book again. I went to the uppity bookstore and tried to look for the book.

The Customer Care person was totally useless with his computer search until another sales aide overheard our talk and budged in—“Is this the 8,000 peso book?”, he asked. I had no idea about the book’s price, but since I’ve seen how thick it was, I just said, “Well, I guess so..” with a shrug of my shoulders.

A few minutes after, he handed me the book, “Private Collections”, same title I remember, but the cover looked different (I would later learn that the book was designed with 12 different covers that you can choose from). It was wrapped in plastic and sealed with tape. I asked permission to open it, but the sales aide hesitated.

Giving me a suspicious stare—I was in my standard shopping outfit: T-shirt, shorts and Islander tsinelas—he told me just to make sure to replace the book on the shelf when I am done with it. “But what if I wanted to buy it?” I asked the aide of this uppity book store (God, I miss National Bookstore!).

This time, he unwrapped the plastic cover for me, I flipped through the pages and recognized the book—and I told him that I will get it. The aide suddenly turned perky, directed me to the cashier and chirpily asked if I wanted to have the book covered with plastic—“it’s an expensive book, sir” (I know that, dum-dum!) , and besides, it’s free! (Thanks, ha?) . So much for uppity book stores and their bourgeoise-acting, fake English speaking staff. And now the book—Private Collections.

The title itself is self-explanatory—it is a coffee table book that features the finest and choices art collections of the most outstanding collectors in the country—classified as Early Career (Julius Babao, Charlie Conjuangco, Mikee and Sheila Romero, Patrick Reyno, etc), Mid-Career (Napoleon Abueva, Manny Zialcita, Gilbert Santos, Louie Ojeda, etc) and End Career Collectors (Washington Sycip, David Consunji, Hans Sy, Joey de Leon, etc.).

Hmm, I just wonder where Paulino and Hetty Que, Jaime Laya and Dr. Teyet Pascual are. I really don’t care much about the opening chapter ( “Collecting, Collectors and Collections”—Is definition of terms truly necessary? Nahhh! There is even a section on “Motivations and Rewards of Collecting”, which touches on our psychological need to collect—read: a sense of pride and ownership. Huh? ).

But once past that, the book engages the eye, each page a virtual gallery of masterpieces, beautifully photographed and with interesting background write-ups about the collector, his collecting interests, accounts of how he started and how his collection was built over time. There is not a single piece of artwork I did not like in the book, even if I am partial to mid-century genre paintings.

But I went agog over the collection of Jose Maria Esteban, which includes an eclectic mix of period and modern pieces, realist paintings as well as abstracts. Julius Babao’s contemporary art collection was also awesome, with the works of Mark Justiniani and Ronald Ventura as highlights.

The Romero couple has outstanding Amorsolos in their collection, plus Simon Flores sacred paintings, Juan Arellanos, Jorge Pinedas, Domingo Celis and Isidro Anchetas—my cup of tea! Oh, to be young and rich—that’s what the Romeros are. Of course, I will never laugh at Joey de Leon again (Kiukoks galore!) and giggle at Orestes Ojeda—I never knew him as an art connoisseur but as a hunky star of sexy movies back in the late 70s.

I still have to try the interactive CD because I am not even done with the book yet—I have about 150 pages to go. In my lifetime, I don’t think I can even get to one tenth of the level reached by these passionate and, more importantly, moneyed collectors (I think you can buy taste with money, no?). For now I will be content with what I have, and will continue to drool over these private collections, happy and hopeful with the thought that in my next trip to Bangkal, I will find the one masterpiece that will become the jewel of my own private collection!

47. HOTEL ART

Living in hotels is a necessary part of travel. Hotel bookings are made in advance, often sight unseen. Expecting the unexpected, it is always amusing when you get to your temporary residence. First impressions do last--and the first thing I take note of are the hotel interior decors. Cheap prints, works of unknown artists, campy sculptures, horrible watercolors--perhaps I've seen it all. Of course, I realize that hotels are not museums. That is why when I am on the road, I make it a point to visit a museum or a gallery, which to me is the quickest and most convenient way to immerse yourself in the local arts and culture.

In a recent trip to Europe, however, I didn’t have to go out or look far to view excellent works of art. Right in a modest Spanish hotel where I stayed—Melia Fernan Gonzales Boutique Hotel in Burgos—I was surprised to see authentic colonial antiques as well as faithfully reproduced sacred art scattered all over the hotel premises.

It is obvious that the hotel has imbibed the sense of history of this city. Burgos began as a fortified city and was a major stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. It has also been the site of many wars: against the Moors, Napoleonic French and the Spanish civil war. Its Gothic Cathedral—just a stone’s throw away from the hotel—is beautifully preserved and so are the numerous ecclesiastical monuments that dot the place—more than any other Spanish city.

 Upon entering the Lobby, the first thing that I saw was a beautifully polychromed image of our Lady with the Child Jesus.

The centerpiece of the hotel lobby is this beautiful antique Nativity tableaux encased in a protective glass urna to secure it from overzealous santo art lovers like me. I had to admire this set with exquisite gilt work first--the hotel key can wait!

A solo image of a naked Salvador del Mundo--which I wanted to bring home-- stands guard at the Lobby Lounge. This is an obvious reproduction, but still excellently made.

Going up my 2nd floor room, I saw this old painting of Crucified Christ, which reminded me of the old Cuzco style of painting popular in Peru.

 En route to the restaurant for my breakfast, an antique cabinet displayed various religious vestments--chasubles, a cope and dalmatic--some heavily embroidered, others with great floral appliques.

Next to this dramatically-lit cabinet was this large santo base that had lots of charming little cherub carvings with amazing details. This base was displayed as is, sans a santo, perhaps to show off the artistry that went into this exquisite piece.

There was a big detalyado San Agustin image at the exit of the restaurant, a very impressive piece. It was missing its staff and mitre though, but the detailed church on his left hand was intact.

 At another lounge, I gazed at this folk-looking Madonna that adorned a plain brick red wall. It reminded me so much of the Black Madonna of Montserrat which was also on my agenda, but this one has a fair encarna. There is a Gothic feel to it...

On this same wall was this painting on a gilt frame that looked like the Mother of Perpetual Help without the angel attendants.

Flanking this piece was this San Juan Bautista complete with his sheepskin loincloth. If this were mine, I would add a base and a banner and use it as a processional santo instead of hanging it on a wall.

Adjacent to this inner lounge was the main dining section that featured more vibrant colonial pieces. This retablo housing our Lady and the Child Jesus was a real stunner; the rococo decorations are outstanding:

 Finally, at the restaurant downstairs, a niche housed this ancient San Pedro tabletop santo, which would look perfect on my antique mesa altar.

 Sadly, I stayed only for a day at the hotel. I would have wanted to explore the Swimming Pool. Goodness what I would have discovered there. A carved retablo diving board perhaps, or an antique kneeling angel lamp post. When you are travelling, wonders never cease, there's always a surprise at every bend. And that's what I found at this small boutique hotel on a narrow street in Burgos.

(6 November 2008)

46. HIDDEN TREASURES: Searching for Masterpieces of American Furniture

Category: Books 
Genre: Arts & Photography 
Author: Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno 

Since childhood, these identical twins have been antiquing like crazy--going to flea markets as teens and re-selling their finds for a profit. It was but natural that as adults, they went into the antique business, and have now become even more familiar with their appearances on the "Antiques Roadshow", a popular U.S. TV show. In this book, they recount their early fascinations for old things, and from there, as they acquired sophisticated knowledge about American antiques, they narrate their fabulous finds--from a pair of 18th c. chairs found in a chicken coop...to a stunning silver-mounted secretary-bookcase uncovered in Paris, to the small mahogany card table bought at a yard sale for 25$ that turned out to be a masterpiece of American furniture worth hundred of thousands of dollars!

Lots of great color pictures, "before and after" restorations and personal archival documents from the authors. Though the examples shown are American (not exactly my taste), the stories resonate with the same feeling of excitement brought about by the thrill of a serendipitous find that any antique collector can relate to. Why, I even see a lot of myself in the Keno brothers (except that they both are blond, blue-eyed and have more greenbucks). Get a copy of "Hidden Treasures" today! Where? At your nearest Book Sale, of course!

(15 July 2009)

45. WHERE HAVE ALL MY PHOTOS GONE? part II

Some of my photos have also seen print in other publications like magazines, school journals as well as other writers' blogs. Presentations have also been enriched through my photos, to illustrate or visualize a topic.

MAGAZINES:

METRO SOCIETY, "All Hail the Queen", by Bettina Rodriguez-Olmedo, photos by Alex R. Castro. Article on past Manila Carnival queens. July-Aug. 2009 issue.

SINGSING, Official Magazine of the Center for Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University, Angeles City, Pampanga.

 BLOGS: 

Na Mi Puebo, a blog about Zamboanga City, maintained by Rossini Almonte - Picture and article of Carmen Fargas 

Dan Cuyonon, a blog about Cuyo, Palawan, maintained by Dan Oliver Tan - picture and article of Trinidad Fernandez 

Ang Aming Angkan, a family genealogy site, -Picture of Iluminada Tuason, Miss Philippines 1939 and reference to my Manila Carnival blogsite 

THESIS: 

 The Philippine International Fair of 1953, doctoral thesis of Edson Roy Cabalfin, Asst. Professor, School of Architecture & Interior Design, University of Cincinnati. - pictures of 1953 pavilions and booths

 Cultural History of the Sto. Domingo Church, Masteral thesis by Romeo Galang, approved for publication by UST Publishing, 

  
 UP Visual Communication Thesis-Exhibit, March 2010 -pictures of Manila Carnival