Art and compassion

Salvador Ching with his work, Kalakal II (acrylic and graphite on denim).

“Art for Red,” held recently at S Maison, was a celebration of great art and great compassion.

A joint project of The Manila Bulletin, Galerie Francesca and S Maison, the charity art gala and exhibit showcased the works of some of the country’s top artists. These included Julio Austria, Benjie Cabangis, Ferdinand Cacnio, Michael Cacnio, Ross Capili, Valeria Cavestany, Salvador Ching, Dansoy Coquilla, Thomas Daquioag, Fil Delacruz, Janos Delacruz, Mario de Rivera, Vincent de Pio, Edgar Doctor, Gregory Halili, Raul Isidro, Raul Lebajo, Romeo Lee, Carlo Magno, Jason Moss, Sam Penaso, Juvenal Sanso, Ian Veneracion, Roy Veneracion, Nestor Olarte Vinluan, Betsy Westendorp and Edwin Wilwayco.

Magnificant by Mario de Rivera (mixed media) and Hiragana (Magnificent Garden) by Vincent de Pio (mixed media). Moreover, guests were also able to participate in the humanitarian efforts of the Philippine Red Cross, which is the beneficiary of the fundraising component of the week-long exhibit.

Philippine Red Cross chairman and chief executive officer Richard Gordon graced the event, together with Philippine Red Cross secretary general Oscar P. Palabyab and Susanne Tiausas of Galerie Francesca.

Balance, sculpture by Ferdinand Cacnio. The event was also a preview of the Filipino Artists in their Studios Book II. Published by The Manila Bulletin, the book features a collection of portraits photographed by José “Pinggot” Zulueta and artworks of the Philippines’ prominent and legendary as well as emerging artists at their private workspaces. This is a take-off from Filipino Artists in their Studios Book I, which had a series of “The Artists Gallery” exhibits at the SM Mall of Asia, Megamall, Aura Premier and North EDSA The Block.