I was feeling nostalgic while I was writing this Sunday’s column. Who wouldn’t be? After my experience in attending the 2015 Met Gala with a group of art patrons and philanthropists in (full) support of The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, I left the venue (okay, with a quick detour for a “night cap” at The Pen), then went back home (on a heightened state of bliss) with a deeper appreciation on how Filipino Art elevates cultural identity.
The Met Gala, in particular, united Manila’s “who’s who” in the business, banking, publication, civic and high society circles to pay tribute to an iconic Filipino artist on the occasion celebrating his “50 Creative Years” through a gala dinner in his honor.
Just recently, this columnist was given the rare opportunity to personally witness the illustrious career of Filipino artist Benedicto Reyes Cabrera through an assembly of more than a hundred paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures loaned by various institutional and private collectors.
The BenCab Retrospective Met Gala, through the proceeds of the benefit dinner and donations in kind, will allow The Metropolitan Museum of Manila to continue its work in making art available (and accessible) to all through education, exhibition and outreach programs.
Consul Mellie Ablaza of Guatemala with Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. and wife Elma
And that, in my opinion, is a heroic act of patriotism of Manila’s 500. These ladies and gentlemen (whose faces you will see in this column) deserve so much credit for patronizing Philippine art through their philanthropic initiatives that transcend nation building.
Esteem regard goes to this year’s Gala committee for doing an exquisite job in transforming the museum into a banquet hall enhanced with blended hues of the Philippine flag. The milieu’s utter simplicity is complemented by the masterful works of BenCab. We were literally dining (and enjoying the superb French wine parings) amidst priceless works of art of the celebrated National Artist.
Diplomatic connections in full support of the 2015 Met Gala – Tanzania Consul Betty Chua, Angola Consul Helen Ong, Metropolitan Museum of Manila Foundation, Inc. Treasurer Dr. Jaime Laya and Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhua.
In full support of the Met Gala were Christopher Wichlan of the InterContinental Manila, Jean Philippe-Guillot of AWC (Philippines), Inc., and Alexi Daste of Clarence Dillon Wines.
During the main course of the five-course menu masterfully and ingeniously infused with familiar Pinoy flavors by Makati Shangri-La’s culinary team, I had an insightful conversation with an art aficionado (and avid collector) saying that we were surrounded with art collectively valued in the billions of pesos (don’t worry, I was mindful of my table etiquette and did not spill the Clarendelle Rouge 2009).
Tingting Cojuangco and Consul Fortune Ledesma of Monaco
Levity aside, it was actually expected (I did the math in advance) since in a recent auction of Leon Gallery, a BenCab 2003 oil-on-canvas Sabel painting was sold at a hammer price of P40 million (that’s P46.7 million to be exact including buyer’s premium). Nonetheless, I was there to simply savor the moment of appreciating his great work with the intent to be oblivious of the price tag. After all, the organizing committee made sure that the evening was full of sensory delights. The highlight for me was the UP Singing Ambassadors’ awe-inspiring rendition (sang in spine-tingling a cappella) of “Ako ay Pilipino” which suffused this columnist with patriotism. And that (smile if you agree) is priceless!
The well-curated showcase of the artist’s ingenious fruits (of impassioned labor) spanning five decades is more than just a display of his works. It gives a glimpse of BenCab’s legacy and journey into becoming one of the Philippines’ most (highly) esteemed artists of the 21st century.
“We seek to inspire through art…” expressed the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila Foundation, Inc. during his welcome speech.
As such, the opening Gala Dinner was a fitting tribute to the rousing story of a man and his modest ideal to inspire the Filipino people through his opus – a mission that conferred him the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts.
“Cast in stone,” – as the vernacular expression goes. In the case of Benedicto Cabrera, the National Artist’s 50 creative years is a celebration of national pride – a milestone that will forever be etched in our history as the dawn of the golden era of Philippine art!
As BenCab proclaimed during his speech – “Here’s to another 50!”
(The retrospective exhibition is now open and can be viewed by the public until February 27, 2016 at The Metropolitan Museum of Manila.)
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