It seems that most Filipinos have the “Imeldific” streak in them.

The Filipino generally loves the idea of owning shoes, and for men who “have to” dress up to achieve that corporate look, here’s good news for all of you.

There is “Balthazar” (spelled with an H), a company that has a range of ready to wear dresses and casual shoes, belts, and shoe & leather care.

Built for comfort and durability, the shoes are manufactured overseas and are carefully crafted using imported leather that is considered of the highest quality grade, several notches higher than the commercially popular ‘Genuine’ leather.

According to Altina Baltazar, the prime mover of “Balthazar”, their current styles include oxfords, double monks, semi-brogues, and loafers in full grain and suede leather. Altina says: “These shoes make the essential shoe wardrobe for any gentleman. These are classic styles that can easily take one from formal events, boardroom meetings, to after-work dinner and drinks, and casual events.

“All orders are shipped to customers in just 2-5 business days within Metro Manila and 4-6 business days outside Metro Manila. We do worldwide shipping and also accept Self-Collection in any of their Guideshops”.

“We put great value on building long-term relationships with our employees, suppliers, and customers,” she adds a, “That is why as much as we can, we make it point a to check in on our customers a few weeks after their purchase to ask how they find our products and get reviews and feedback and find out how we can further improve.”

Altina Baltazar is no stranger to retail and fashion e-commerce. She has worked in the luxury fashion industry in Manila before moving to Singapore in 2013 where she worked in the regional team of one of the world’s largest fashion e-commerce websites doing buying and merchandising.

According to Altina, Balthazar, reflects qualities that are classy, functional, and most of all, affordable

“Quality doesn’t have to cost a fortune” – this is the philosophy and the promise Altina Baltazar had in mind when the business was started.

Balthazar, the company, leverages on social media allowing them to get faster feedback from customers.

Marketing of many essential products (specially shoes) have gone a long way from the time most men had to grab themselves a pair of shoes in Carriedo St. in Quiapo….today, you can get a pair of good shoes at the stroke of your fingertips.

To know more about the Balthazar brand and their products, visit https://balthazarshoes.com and follow them on @balthazarshoes (Instagram) and Balthazar Shoes on Facebook.

Be careful. You may just end up acquiring too many pairs of shoes!

You truly will become “Imeldific” ……and that would not be such a bad idea after all!!!

There is a Filipino folk song “Lubi-Lubi” which was often taught to toddlers as way of mastering the months on the calendar – Enero, Pebrero, Marso, Abril, Mayo…

Probably, it is our subconscious way of introducing the concept of time to young minds.
Today’s traffic and hectic schedules prompt us to rely on pricey planners and mobile apps to alert us of important events that we tend to forget about.

Narrating the history of the Filipino calendar in Filway’s Philippine Almanac of 1991, essayist and fictionist, Mario I. Miclat recalls how the ancient Filipinos used to tell time by tying knots in a string to remember the days, counting the full moons to know when the palay should be harvested, or relying on the rainy seasons to keep track of one’s age.

During the Spanish times, together with our Catholicism we begun our adherence to the Gregorian calendar. Filipinos eventually relied on this calendar for the names of their children, as well as for auspicious signs to guide their daily chores.

The Cry of Pugadlawin, which launched the Philippine Revolution of 1896, is known to have coincided with the Feast of San Bartolome being the patron saint of bolo makers.

Jose Rizal is said to have made predictions about the Philippines a century later with a calendar in mind.

The enduring publication and popularity of the “Dimasalang Kalendaryong Tagalog ni Honorio Lopez” is a strong indication of how the calendar continues to guide the ordinary Filipino. Originally written by Don Honorio Lopez, the Spanish authorities accused Lopez of being a propagandist for the Revolution when the calendar was first produced in 1897.

Today, Kalendaryong Tagalog has become part of the Filipino culture and is still available along the Quiapo Church patio.

The Kalendaryong Tagalog features dates of high tides and low tides, as well as festivals related to fishing and farming. “If there were no calendars, how would Filipinos remember Rizal or the Revolution? How would June 12 or even August 21 be recorded? And how would the country appreciate the long process of building a nation?”

The calendar therefore helps us remember the past, appreciate the present, and plan for the future.

The exhibit “Kalendaryo 20/20” is now ongoing at the UP College of Fine Arts Gallery. Its featured artist is my former professor, Marco Ruben T. Malto II.

In recent years, Malto’s solo exhibits embodied themes capturing the country’s current crucial concerns and how they interplay with history and the nuances of the Filipino culture.

This professor constantly aspires to educate by engaging his public in important national discourses– using his works to characterize and to comment on the socio-political conditions of the present, while remembering history and drawing on cultural references from thematic beliefs and practices that are distinctly Filipino.

Marco Ruben T. Malto II is a graduate of University of the Philippines Diliman College of Fine Arts (UPCFA) in 1993. He finished his Master of Fine Arts, also in 2002.

Prof. Malto who has been teaching since 2002, is a recipient of the UP Diliman Centennial Professorial Chair Award for the past six years for his solo exhibitions: Colors of Black (2013); Bayang Magiting (2014); Siete Estaciones
(2015); Ang Petroglyphs ng Angono (2016); Susmaryosep (2017); and Peksman (2018).

Now you may understand why Prof. Marco Malto became the recipient of the University of the Philippines Artist Award. His prolific works and his love to hone the talents in the visual arts of is what makes him “calendared in the hearts of many whom he had taught”.

Mabuhay po kayo, Prof. Malto !!!

My dear ever-helpful artist friend Abe Orobia sent me an email message inviting me to an art exhibit in which he is a participating artist.

Abe Orobia is a descendant of internationally renowned Filipino artist and activist Juan Luna. Many of his co-artists claim that Abe has always been unselfish to all those who need his help. He does not hold back teaching techniques when producing art.

Abe Orobia is the curator of an art exhibit entitled : “Breakthrough.” The title of the exhibit means “to move or leap forward, to advance, an important discovery and dramatic development” and that is the reason why the participating artist chose this title to be the central theme of this exhibition.

Every artist, whether considered to be a master or an up-and-coming producer of art has experienced or (and still experiencing) breakthroughs in their artistic careers.

Breakthrough represents their struggle and conquest and difficulty and elation, despair, and hope.

“Every artist is a student of art, who is continuously learning, absorbing and creating ways to explore and expand his horizons by challenging his own tried and tested techniques. He changes his own perspectives or points of view in the process. He goes with the changes of the times for the fulfillment and satisfaction of sensibilities – discovering a new voice and license to spread his message to his audience”, Abe said.

He further adds: “An artist is like a scientist. He finds ways to remind, heal, and cure his environment of its transgressions and illnesses. His ART is like a pill that may be sweet or bitter depending on one’s experience. This is his Breakthrough,” he added.

The exhibit will feature senior and contemporary artists plus an Indonesian artist from Jakarta.

Included are Hermes Alegre, Anin Baroto, Benjie Torrado Cabrera, Fil Delacruz, Mario De Rivera, R. Orobia, Pinggot Zulueta, Janos Delacruz, Judeo Herrera, Wilfredo Offemaria, Abe Orobia, Ian Quirante, Jet Rai, and Fernando Ramos Jr.

As a bonus for the art exhibit there will be art talks and open discussions on the following topics during the opening:
1. Marriage of Content and Form
2. Challenges of being an Artist(Physical, Emotional, Psychological and Spiritual)
3. Muse
4. The Artist’s role in society

Breakthrough, the Exhibit, will open on December 14 and run through the 2nd week of January 2020 at J Studio Gallery located at Pasillo 18, La Fuerza Gate 1 Compound, Chino Roces, Makati City.

IVAN CO is an artist who has experienced passion, loyalty, integrity, and purpose in life. In October, 2019, he achieved his dream of exhibiting his work in MANILART at SMX Aura Taguig.

As it had always been his intent to create jewelery pieces ‘that the world has never seen before,’ Ivan works hard to be as innovative as possible. At the art show, Ivan’s works were well accepted by an audience of people in the know.

At MANILART, one day was allotted to students who viewed the art works during their field trip; and the students certainly enjoyed the experience of viewing art in different forms and media. With that, Ivan reinforced his personal mission “to help create a world where innovations in art will be the top priority.

Ivan Co say: “All artists at their untainted form only desire to show their work to the world regardless of acceptance or criticism….my proposal for this is to introduce an alternative way of introducing art for the awareness of every viewer. A powerful yet difficult idea that I and like-minded individuals came up with as an alternative to the ‘normal’ process. It would be my absolute pleasure to share my art with everyone.

“I believe that through empowerment, artists can represent themselves and bypass any blockages in reaching their audience and to prioritize the development of their talents.

“I have started a movement to create a ‘Concept Preview Show’ that would showcase art pieces that are so original and so unfamiliar that in can actually inspire and motivate the audience.

“As an artist, it is my promise to create art innovations with the purpose of uplifting the whole in everyone. Just imagine if I can only inspire one artist to collaborate and be aligned with the same mission, the next show would be a step towards the grander vision…and looking even farther ahead, when there are 20 or more artists on board for this mission, that will be an all new art show by itself, a wonderland of some sort where one will see theatre, dance, poetry, music, visual arts, digital arts, and art installations.

“It would revive the feeling of inspiration that we got as children when we first visited science museums. There certainly has an emotional effect to this vision and we and my co-artists are starting our advocacy on this now.

“In the perfect world of art, artists like Vincent Van Gogh won’t need to commit suicide,” Ivan Co said.

Well, I certainly wish you the best of luck, Ivan.

The elders who include me wish for your success in the field you had chosen for yourself…..and may your audience remain happy as ever!!!

Ivan Co has a show at the Ascot in BGC on November 23, Saturday from 10am to 7 pm. If you find the time, come and view the surprises that this artist cum jeweler has in store for you!

One thing wonderful happening in this country is that Art flourishes as Filipinos move with the times. New, brilliant, and ultra-talented artists seem to be ‘born everyday’ as there are more and more art exhibits being organized to delight and allow audiences to see and feast on.

Expressions of emotions and reactions to what’s happening in the environment are captured in the art pieces being produced. Art has become more and more popular as a tool to communicate.

One such exhibit is that of the Laurel Family Art Exhibit featuring the works of matriarch Celia Diaz Laurel, Victor Cocoy Laurel, Iwi Laurel, Celine Laurel Castillo, and Monica Laurel Delgado.

The exhibit, which is on November 18 to December 1 at the Leon Gallery located at the ground floor of the Corinthian Plaza Building on Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village in Makati City, coincides with the birthday anniversary celebration of Salvador “Doy” Laurel.

The Christmas rush has yet to actually start so treat your selves visually and find the time to view this unusual exhibit.

Thank God for His gifts of talent to these special people (the Laurels).

Indeed, this is going to be a nice exhibit, and to the super talented Laurels:

Congratulations !

From Susan Bautista Afan, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation: Bantay Bata163 and Bantay Kalikasan are celebrating their 30th anniversary. These two pillar programs were founded by Gina Lopez, who unfortunately passed away last August.

“Gina Lopez had crazy, wild ideas: to rescue hundreds of abused children, to plant a million trees to save the La Mesa Watershed, to relocate over 5,000 families to help clean the Pasig River, to help communities all over the country, and get them above poverty levels.

Twenty years later, she’s done them all!”

According to Ms. Afan, “Gina Lopez is our modern day hero…. and Gina’s dreams are also their foundation’s dreams. Gina Lopez wanted poverty to end, the children who are suffering rescued, and the damage to the environment stopped.

“Gina is the match that lights a community; the beat that sparks our hearts, and together we will keep the light of service alive more many years to come.

For us ‘tuloy lang and serbisyo sa kapwa — para sa Diyos, para sa bayan at para sa alaala ni Gina Lopez.”

Listening to Clara K.R. Lapus, president of the Mama Sita Foundation, about the ASIN Law can be more than interesting. The law, also known as Republic Act No. 8172 in 1995 was signed into law by then President Fidel V. Ramos and frankly, I hardly knew that it existed.

“This law aims to promote the use of iodized salt to address the lack of micronutrients in the country.

It also requires all salt manufacturers to iodize the salt they produce and distribute”.

According to Ms. Lapus: “The demand for traditional sea salt is rising with perceived advantages among wellness consumers. The preference of wellness and discerning consumers is for non-iodized natural sea salt. Once natural salt is fortified with iodine, it can no longer be considered as natural. For one thing it makes food taste like medicine and diuretically stressful.

“The Philippines is capable of producing tons of sea salt but our existing law is discouraging salt makers to continue their craft for lack of support from the government.  Ironically, the exportation of our natural sea salt is only .03% compared to the iodized salt we import into the country.

“Although we understand the government’s concern for iodine deficiency among some Filipinos, iodine supplementation to communities can be addressed in many other ways…..there really is no global requirement for the iodization of foods.  The consuming public should be afforded the freedom to choose as to their use of salt.”

As many of the laws in the past are being reviewed for the moment, this is an appeal to our lawmakers to please include the review of the Asin law.

This will greatly help our own salt producers to compete in the domestic and international markets.

As local salt is natural and so readily available to us, would it not just be wonderful to make the dishes on our tables be more yummy ?!!!

Thank you, Ms. Clara Lapus for enlightening us regarding the use of salt which definitely can affect our gastronomic and health needs !

***

Lydia Velasco’s love for the arts is an innate calling she traces back to her childhood. She took her early influence and encouragement from parents, who also appreciated the arts. She took her father as her idol who was a set designer and stage painter at LVN Productions. Her mother was a typical homemaker who painted still life. Once upon a time in her life, Lydia had to help support the family as fish vendor in Navotas.

She enrolled at the University of Sto. Tomas and pursued her Fine Arts Major in Advertising; and shortly after, worked for Philprom  Advertising Agency where national artists H.R. Ocampo and Cesar Legaspi were her art directors.  There, she proved herself  by delivering excellence in any of the projects she undertook.

Eventually, she rose from the ranks and became Art Director for several multinational advertising companies. In 1988, Ms. Velasco finally ventured in entrepreneurship as co-owner of an advertising photography and graphic design office.

When the company was about settled, she tried to paint. Velasco first explored painting through faceless figures with rigid torsos and poses in 1992. Muted and monochromatic in approach, they are the reflections of the artist’s soul seeking its identity in the art world.

Velasco devoted her time fully in painting and discovered her art, medium, and style.  She describes her depictions of women as elongated, massive, heavily set, and invigorated with almost masculine assertiveness.

She focused her subjects on women, liberating them on her canvases and asserting their glory, identity, and freedom amid a mainly patriarchal society.

Velasco’s women are graceful yet hardworking, sensual, strong and independent showing all the facets of the artist’s inner self. Looking back, Velasco is aware that she has gone a long way and is truly grateful and humbled of the blessings she has received through her art.

A portrait of self-actualization, she feels a deep sense of fulfillment whenever she can help her family and siblings; extend support to young aspiring artists; while working on her paintings of women as they continuously evolve in surprising ways.

The essence of a woman is indeed what Lydia Velasco herself is made of.

Have of view of Ms. Velasco’s  works at Rockwell starting on September 20th to the 30th of this month.

Fides Cuyugan Asencio, a name so popular and familiar to many Filipinos in the 60s and the 70s, organized the Fides Cuyugan Asencio Vocal Competition (FCAVC). Now on its second year, the FCAVC is which was founded by Raymond Roldan and American tenor Samuel Savage to promote classical vocal repertoire and to jump start careers of aspiring classical singers in the country.

This year, several competitions were held in the different parts of the country, with the final round happening last week at the Erehwon Center for the Arts.

This was a culmination of a month-long search for the year’s best classical singers in the country.

The competition was so timely as it coincided with the 90th birthday of our opera luminary, Fides.

Out of 26 contestants, ten finalists were chosen for the final round. Top contenders were: Angeli Benipayo; Cloi Sugano; Charina Balmores; Cez Carino;  Cymbelene Gatdula;  Katrine Sunga;  Malvin Macasaet;  Kevin Guiman;  Greg Rebadeo;  and Ruzzel Clemeno. These ladies and gentlemen were fabulous in their rendition of an aria which they chose to sing….followed by a classical song assigned to them to sing on the spot.

Before the results of the completion were announced, the opera diva Fides Cuyugan Asensio delivered her appreciation speech, reiterating her sixty-year advocacy for classical singing in the country. She further mentioned that she hoped that her advocacy will “be continued through the next generation”. She was also grateful to all those who helped in putting this event together.

The adjudicators of the final round competition were: voice professors Janet Sabas- Aracama; baritone Marvin Gayramon; and internationally renown artist,Cipriano de Guzman.

While waiting for the jurors’s decision, the powerful voice of tenor Raymond Roldan was heard.  This was followed by songs rendered by the choral group “Ganap” led by conductor Agoy Patacsil . Erehwon Executive Director Greg Abelardo de Leon was the master of ceremonies.

Angeli Benipayo; Cloi Sugano; Charina Balmores were proclaimed as the victors of the classical singing competition.

Fr. Rony Alkonga handed the Dennis Asensio Prize to third place winner –  Charina Balmores;  Erehwon Foundation Chaiman, Boysie Villavicencio awarded the  Samuel Savage Prize to Second Prize winner – Cloi Sugano; and finally, Atty. Tony Pastor handed the  first prize medal to Angeli Benipayo.

It was a beautiful early evening filled with songs for the heart and the soul. Every performer / contestant were more than excellent…..but like all competitions, winners were proclaimed although to all those who were present there that night, they agreed that all ten who rendered their songs were considered to be W-I-N-N-E-R-S  too !