Lucky are the kids who are able to develop their innate creativity. It is the whole idea behind the Special Program in the Arts (SPA) of the Ilocos Norte National High School. At this time, the only middle school program in the province designed to nurture imagination, artistry and confidence as well as impart technical skills. The program turns 10 this year, and it has produced world-class talents such as the multi-awarded Samiweng Singers.

I have so much respect for the institution. And the refreshing freedom of artistic expression if we were to talk about last night’s recital and exhibit.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

The second album launch and concert of the internationally awarded children’s choir, the Samiweng Singers of the Ilocon Norte National High School, was unexpectedly held in a church. Two or three people outside the Laoag Cathedral were a little confused. In my head, there is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is, like American minister and hymn writer William P. Merrill once said.

And imagining the SSAA choir’s sweet, cherubic voices, the church of my childhood beckoned.

The singing coincided with the visit of the Sr. Sto. Niño de Cebu.

I am a big fan of the Samiweng Singers. They are a breath of fresh air to local cultural events. They make the Ilocanos proud with every accolade they receive. I get goosebumps watching videos of their winning moments at the World Choir Games, referred to as The Olympics of Choral Music, held in held in Cincinnati USA.

The highlights of the choir’s stellar singing journey — the top prize at the 29th National Music Competition for Young Artists in 2002, Overall Winner (children’s, youth choirs, and sacred music categories) at the 1st Vietnam International Choir Festival and Competition in 2011, a gold and 2 silvers at the 7th World Choir Games in 2012 and a nomination for Best Choral Group at the 25th Aliw Awards. The list is too long to mention.

As parent to two former students of the school, I am also a big fan of the Ilocos Norte National High School and their programs which effectively enhance the innate talents of its students.

Retired teacher Robert Caluya founded and mentored the choir. He was succeeded by teacher Sherberk Cabrales (in photo above) as choir conductor. Along with fellow teachers Sherween Cabrales and Egdonna Legaspi, Sherberk trains the choir members, with ages ranging from 12-17.

Fresh from their Hawaii performance, the Samiweng Singers regaled the audience with a repertoire of Ilocano songs and sacred music. They were joined by alumna Michelle Pascual, currently a University of the Philippines student, and INNHS Special Program in the Arts student Hannah Mae Uganiza, who will be remembered for her audition song Lipad na Pangarap for The Voice Kids Philippines.

Samiweng is an Ilocano portmanteau of sam-it and aweng, which translates to sweet echo.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

Twenty-two year old Khervin John Gallandez is one of the kids who at a pretty young age have already figured out what they want to become later in life. He remembers — “As early as seven years old, I would fill the back of my aunt’s thesis draft papers with doodles and cartoon characters.” Back then, his fascinations were Dragon Ball Z and the work of Philippine Star editorial cartoonist Rene Aranda.

Khervin went to the Laoag Gabaldon Elementary School for his elementary education and for his secondary education the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades. Among his frustrations are the lack of a fine arts school in the province and the little availability of art supplies locally.

The young artist has the full support of his parents, George and Cristy. Darwin Co, the owner of Topside Marketing, who has given him space inside the custom framing store says of Khervin, “He is talented and his artworks are very detailed.”

I went to visit him at his shop this afternoon.

Q&A with Khervin Gallandez

Describe your art?

Random. I draw what I like. I can’t be stuck in one genre.

What inspires you as an artist?

The cultures of different peoples. Rembrandt and Michaelangelo, I also like classical.

What colors are you drawn to?

Vivid colors. And monochrome.

Describe how it is to be a struggling artist in the province.

It is an independent thing. If only there were more art events and venues to promote local art. I’ve joined the Sama Summer workshops by the city government in the past. Samtoy Books has displayed some of my work which include an acrylic painting in memoriam of Robin Williams. I am hoping to be able to have my own exhibit in the future.

How have your clients discovered your art?

The social network is a big help to promote my art.

What is your biggest accomplishment to date?

I was commissioned by a client to do an artwork of Mrs. Imelda Marcos as a gift to her for her birthday.

Did she like it?

I heard she liked it.

What is keeping you here in Ilocos? Have you ever considered moving to another place for greener pastures?

There is no place like Ilocos. I prefer to live here.

What other things interest you?

Photography and reading books about the culture and politics of other countries.

What other things are you passionate about?

Animal welfare and animal rights.

Khervin shares some of his memorable moments…

and photos from his phone.

Khervin Gallandez does tattoo design, portraits, abstract expression, illustration, colored pencil design calligraphy, logo design and more. Find him at his space at Topside Marketing, General Luna St., Laoag City or contact him through his numbers: 0916 7988904/ 0923 1227058, or his Facebook page (here).

All photos of Khervin Gallandez at his Topside studio by Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

While tons of styrofoam have clogged  the world’s landfills and waterways, artist Juan Elani Tulas has created used styro containers as a medium for his art. The results of his experimentation with polystyrene, gasoline and tinting colors have produced numerous intricate mosaic paintings, exhibited both here and abroad. His latest solo show, entitled “Kadilian”, is ongoing at Samtoy Books at the La Tabacalera Lifestyle Center.

Kadilain, the Ilocano term for coral reef, never leaves his imagination. Born to Ibaloi and Bontoc parents, Juan was raised by relatives in the coastal village of Ricudo in Sinait, Ilocos Sur, where he paints 8 hours a day at his “bodega” of a studio. He says he dreams landscapes even in his sleep. I can imagine how deep Juan’s imagination is. He’s been painting for seventeen years and he says he still enjoys it even if his semi-dead fingernails say otherwise.

“You may see it differently, but I know what it is,” Juan says enigmatically.

Two particular paintings I like are Peace Pond I and II. He wants to show the richness of the coast up north, he says. Lovely art. I will definitely have to see Juan when my own dream of owning a house by the beach comes true.

Ten styro fruit boxes went into the painting in the background. One artwork takes one month to fully dry.

Many thanks to Juan Tulas and Gee Foronda Dianos and Mabeth Macayanan of Samtoy Books for the nice and cozy Sunday afternoon.

Photos by Gee Diaros and Blauearth
© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word Bulacan is pastillas de leche, those sugar-dusted pillows of carabao’s milk casually wrapped in white. As a child of the North, I routinely, quietly wished for them each time my mom and dad were out traveling.

Exploring Bulacan with the FoodPrints food travelogue show was more than a wish come true. Once there, it was the seemingly dying Filipino traditions that I wanted more to digest. One of them is the art of pabalat ng pastillas de leche, the endangered art of wrapping milk candies with billowy colorful paper cut outs.

We met Nanay Luz Ocampo, an octegenarian who has made a mark in pastillas paper wrapper design and cutting. Hers are done in elaborate Filipino motifs, handcrafted laser cut-like patterns from the mind, inspired by her environs in San Miguel. Her artistry that started as a hobby when she was 12 years old was recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in books and in art and culture exhibits such as the University of Santo Tomas Likhang Bayan.

Skilfully cut tails in a kaleidoscope of colors add to a more festive spirit, making a conversation-worthy material. If they seem familiar, the elongated paper artworks have an uncanny resemblance to Chinese tomb decorations.

Daughter Naty tries to follow her footsteps. She traces her mother’s stencils on layers of papel de Hapon ((Japanese paper) and uses a pair of sharp point tip scissors to cut out holes. To sustain the fading craftsmanship, occasionally, they put to use the mastery to lecture in Bulacan and in other parts of the country.

Among Nanay Luz’s prized possessions are photographs of her art by prominent artist Jaime Zobel (top frame in photo below).

Another story of mother Luz’s meticulous artistry is fruit carving she developed as a teen during WWII. In the same vein as she snips out shapes in paper, making intricate designs on fruits such as dayap or suha requires a profusion of love and serenity.

Mrs. Luz Ocampo 83 Inang Wika St., Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines (044) 791 5657

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

If there’s anything I learned from Sugarcane Toddler, it is the endless possibilities of local textiles.

The fabrics that Sugarcane designer Ria Faust uses is an ode to time-honored Filipino hand-loomed fabrics. The dresses are the kind of clothes I regret my mom didn’t make for me while growing up. She made me pretty voile with lots of smocking and floret appliques. I loved them, but looking back, wouldn’t it have been uncommon if she fashioned abel cutesies worth keeping as heirloom pieces for the little ones? But as a mom, I never thought either about dressing up Martine, Ericke and Alex in mini me abel even for once.

To help sustain tradition, Filipino Ria Faust started Sugarcane in 2013. It is a vibrant line of globally-inspired toddler clothes, sizes 12 months-5 years, made of carefully sourced handcrafted fabric by women artisans in Philippine rural villages.

In the Sugarcane Spring/Summer 2015 lookbook are softly-hued binakol vests and dresses in arresting traditional abel, accented with pom-poms for a dose of boho whimsy.

Limited-edition Sugarcane is available in select toddler boutiques in San Francisco, but the good news is Ria ships also to the Philippines.

BTW, moms out there, check out Ria’s blog, Sugarcane Life (with her little daughter) for doses of inspiration.

Sugarcane
Tel: 650 483 7685
Email: sugarcanetoddler@outlook.com
Website: sugarcanetoddler.com

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

With barely three weeks lead time, “Requiem” by Khervin Gallandez is currently up at Samtoy Books til the end of the month before it proceeds to Arte Luna, Paoay, for a 2-day (All Saints’ Day-All Souls’ Day) feature. A Halloween art exhibit, the show, according to the growing Ilocano artist, is all about mysticism and surrealism. “Physically exhausted but happy” is his state of mind.

Pandora’s Box, among the acrylic artworks, struck my eye first. Passion and youth are distinctly Gallandez’s strength. The control of brush strokes makes a Gallandez grand and crisp at the same time.

Requiem to Catholics  is mass for the dead.

“I’d like to thank, my younger brother, my partner in almost all the hardest part, Ms. Gee, the curator of Samtoy, Maribeth Macayanan, the assistant, and Sirib Youth organization,” Khervin wishes to say.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014

I hear this song constantly in the last few years. My neighbor, a huge grocery store, plays it the whole day everyday. I’ve really never fixed my ears on the lyrics. The melody is catchy, I thought it was just another pageant background music. For a festival, it needs some “boom”, imao. I am a visual person. My thoughts turn radical once I read the lyrics on this video. This is an outstanding song. I gathered it was composed by Nhick Ramiro Pacis.

Update: Nothing to do with the music, noticed some photos in the video are my photos, but were credited to blackhowling78 on multiply.

Having lived in Ilocos most of my life, I liken Pasadena to Vigan, with respect to ardent historical preservation. Host to the Rose Bowl and Tournament of Roses Parade, the city in the San Gabriel Valley typifies turn-of-the-century architecture, best seen in original American craftsman-style homes listed among the National Register of Historic Places.

Locating the Pacific Asia Museum and walking up Colorado Blvd (from Fair Oaks to Los Robles), I had time to appreciate the 1920s Pasadena City Hall. Fully restored to LEED standards and retrofitted to withstand earthquakes, it stands dignified and stately.

The Pasadena Post Office on Colorado Blvd.Met with Ericke at her office.

Tea is all you’d want on a sweltering day.

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2015

A few steps away from Magnolia Bakery, a set of wings beckons. By luck, some nice and pretty girls offered to take my photo.  That’s what’s beautiful about street art, it’s interactive.

Angel Wings on Orlando Avenue is part of Colette Miller’s The Global Angel Wings Project, she created in 2012 to remind humanity that we are the Angels of this Earth.

© Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2016

Only until I was able to confidently hop on a train to go to Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), and take the bus without really looking at the bus app anymore, that I was able to fully enjoy exploring the hidden gems of the city. I have company on Thursdays, but otherwise, it’s a better idea to have your own loose schedule, making room for randonimity.

I have my favorite spots like I’d want to go back to over and over again, and share it with friends.

The Last Bookstore on Spring St. is walkable from my other fave places like the Grand Central Market.

The Los Angeles Arts District is for someone who doesn’t mind walking blocks of old warehouses converted to galleries, hip bars and cafes and trendy boutiques. If Instagrammable settings are your thing, then you should be hawk-eyed for catchy street art.

Hipsterdom Silver Lake also happens to be a foodie heaven. Too many options, but so far liking Pine and Crane for Taiwanese food, Millie’s breakfast plates, El Cochinito for Cuban homestyle cooking,  kitschy Thai restaurant Night + Market Song, Milk for desserts, and on the border of East Hollywood, there’s Sqirl which I never tire of. If you eat only organic, you will love the weekend market.

Not your ordinary vintage shops abound in this neighbornood.

Any Chinatown in the world is interesting, but what makes the Los Angeles Chinatown more interesting is the fact that the Far East Plaza, which used to house Chinese cultural art and traditional products, has opened its doors to an insane hodgepodge of globally liked dishes, like there’s a good ramen spot, a Chego, which creates modern Korean rice bowls, a banh mi and pho place, a bao house owned by actor Eddie Huang (they have the best coffin bao!), an inexpensive but fantastic Chinese restaurant, Scoops with the most original ice cream flavors, the newly opened contemporary Filipino Lasa, not to forget Howlin’ Ray’s which has an impossible long line always.

Not far from the Far East Plaza are great dim sum restaurants like Ocean Seafood (if you find the San Gabriel Valley out of the way).

The Grand Central Market. Yes, the iconic 1917 Grand Central Market is better than ever, what with the new Los Angeles food culture. And then mixing the old with the new makes the experience more evocative.

The long line leading to Eggslut is still there. I always get the Fairfax with avocado and bacon add-ons. Sari-Sari Store is good news to Filipino food lovers. Liking the sisig bowl, super nakaka-nostalgia.

A lot of food for the soul here.

Right across the Grand Central Market is the Bradbury Building, a living proof of stellar historical preservation. If it looks familiar to you, it is because it was used as filming location to scenes in the original Blade Runner.

Something I enjoyed was tracking down the Camera Obscura that gives a pinhole view of the Santa Monica beach.

Discovering the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine on Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Palisades was serendipity. So Zen, it is a place to forget all your worries, or just be away from the urban wild.

I like spending my time in museums. I love LACMA where Picasso made me cry. And The Broad was so much fun. Across The Broad is the Disney Concert Hall.

They say the best thing about LA is Koreatown. If you like Korean food you will definitely agree, but there’s more than Kbbq and bibimbap and jap chae here. The busiest Boiling Crab is in Ktown. It’s also home to Sun Nong Dan, which serves the best sullungtang bone broth and cheesy galbi jjim. I swear by Cassell’s Hamburgers at the Hotel Normandie. And the best bingsoo, to me, is at Anko. Wako Donkasu, for its  cold soba and pork katsu, is another personal fave. I’m having an affair with a Korean hairstylist. I buy my green tea here, and checking out the latest in Kbeauty is therapeutic.

I’ve never enjoyed Los Angeles like this before.

It’s fiesta season once again in the Ilocos Region. Stumbled upon this poster of Ilocos Sur’s Kannawidan Ylocos Bicentennial celebration schedule of activities on social media and might as well share it with you. Ilocos Sur and its seat of government, Vigan, like to do it customarily grand in their own unique Southern Ilocano way. Kicking off on January 26, with Sun Soaked beach sports competitions and Parokya ni Edgar concert at the beach in Magsingal, the province’s 200 years commemorations will be livened up with a dancing fountain spectacle, art and poetry competitions, Chef Wars, a longganisa eating contest, stamp exhibit, street dancing showdown capped by an Ely Buendia performance, a rodeo parade, a drag race, etc. For more details, visit their websites at the bottom of the poster.

At Laurie Shapiro’s “All Yoni Is Love”, I was taken into a space all its own. An installation of yoni flowers (symbolizing female power) painted on reused materials (such as muslin, reflective mylar, a chair) in a psychedelia of colors make a strikingly soothing if not sacred ambiance.

The exhibit runs ’til the 1st of September at de Plume gallery on Hollywood Blvd.

In a photo with artist Laurie Shapiro

Ericke with de Plume’s Kieva Campbell)

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We’re happy and proud Ilocanas wearing heritage, history, culture and tradition. Thanking modern Filipinas for creating easy to wear traditional abel fabric designs, helping sustain local weaving communities, and widening the love for anything indigenous and local.

I so love my handwoven wrap by news anchor-turned-designer Niña Corpuz. So versatile that it can be layered in a lot of ways. Very functional with a pocket, it’s also a belt bag. For those who’d want to see Niña’s latest creations and pop-up market schedules, @ninainabel is on Instagram.

Ericke’s inabel Dragonfruit top, is by Brae, created by upcoming designer Modesty Eugenio, who is currently preparing for a formal fashion and design training this coming year, I heard. Check out Brae on Instagram here.

Visited the Getty Center with the latest arrival. Welcome to LA, Brandon!!!

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