First of July:

I don’t know why it feels a little weird updating here. Honestly, it doesn’t feel the same! But I still want to post stuff, because not posting feels even stranger. So, I kicked off the month with actual progress on my (secret) monthly goals. They are not actually secret goals; it’s just a list that hasn’t been posted yet. Very different from my usual set-up (just kidding). Anyway.

For July, I resolved to go out more. I like to refer to myself as an Indoorsman, but when you document your face makeup (for my Beauty Blog, are you new!), you kind of notice when they get few and far between, which is what happened. So. There. I wanted to go out more, just to do more things and not be so cooped up with my own thoughts and a similarly antisocial dog all the live long day.

Usually, I like going to exhibits on the day that they open, mostly because I never get to pass by/remember to otherwise. I had to request for my college transcripts, so my sister, Beng, I decided to swing by Blanc Gallery for the shows by Dina Gadia, Jacob Lindo, and Bembol dela Cruz. Here are some pictures of the shows we missed seeing on their opening days:

from Dina Gadia’s Let’s Talk About Feelings

I love Dina’s work! There is something inherently old-time-y about them (obviously), but I could never inject cheekiness and much humor into my work, and she does that flawlessly without sacrificing aesthetics or artistry. She’s just so cool.

from Jacob Lindo’s Conundrum

I’m also a big fan of Jacob Lindo! I think he’s one of the most underrated artists today. There’s something about his collages that really draw you in, even if you’re not a fan of the medium. I know a lot of people “don’t get” collage, but I think Jacob’s pieces are inviting even to the people who have only been able to appreciate paintings.

from Bembol Dela Cruz’s At Point Blank

I first encountered Bembol’s work I think when I was still in college and his 2007 show, Measures got shortlisted for the Ateneo Art Awards. I met him shortly thereafter! I’m always pleasantly surprised at the subjects he paints because they are usually of things I’m marginally interested in, like “sort of, but not quite” things I am fascinated by.

Then, lunch at Your Local! It was my second time there. The first time I ate there was back in April for Sarie’s birthday lunch. My sister has always wanted to eat there, so we did and planned on meeting for our floundering (haha, harsh) business, The Yard. We’re cooking up a lot of new things, so I’m excited about that. But first, lunch!

We both got pasta dishes, both of which we were just whelmed by. I got Vegetarian Laksa Pesto, which was good but not great, and she got the Braised Beef pasta, I think, which was also just good. I like having a citrus-y kick once in a while, but Beng doesn’t really, heh. She got the Strawberry Lemonade (sans straw; we had to practically beg for a straw) and I was set on getting the Sea Salt Lemonade, but I saw the Summer Cold Brew Coffee, which is made from Yardstick’s cold brew coffee and rosemary essence, so I got that instead. Not disappointed at all!

Also a big fan of these Chili Crab Buns. We got the parmesan fries, too, and also were just whelmed by it. Isa picked us up with Jamie so they could come see our show (which, by the way is still up at Silverlens, but only until July 5). But first, we passed by Finale, hoping against hope that we were still able to see Louie Cordero’s Through Mind And Back.

Alas! We were too late. We managed to catch only two of the pieces still mounted on the walls:

They were setting the Tall Gallery up for the next show by Tita Elaine (Navas), which opens this Saturday. Some of her pieces reminded me of Sir Bobby Chabet’s work… and then I saw the title, just today—After Sir. And then it started raining on my face.

You should definitely drop by After Sir on Saturday! I saved the most obvious pieces (to me, anyway) as a surprise, so you can go see them. :) The previous shows at the Upstairs Gallery and Video Room were still intact. I don’t have photos from Alvin Zafra’s Revolver, though I do have it on video. I’m trying out weekly/monthly vlog recaps, so let’s see what happens with that.

from BROKE’s Shell

I love this show. Basically, BROKE (aka Gary-Ross Pastrana and Jeremy Guiab) reconstructed the shape of an old branch of Finale (scaled 1:1) and filled it with objects that follow the same shape. I know, I know. My art talk is so riveting so far. Anyway, Shell is such a great exploration of space, shape, and function. Not gonna lie, I wanted to buy some items and use them for “my” house, because they’re functional and they look good.

On the way to Silverlens, we saw this bear on a motorcycle:

And now, for Gathered Narratives! Kind of. I feel a little funny posting photos of that here, so here’s a single photo of the exhibit, in which Isa and Jamie inspect our work. :)

Then I took a peek into Silverlens’ backroom:

In case you missed the opening, Gathered Narratives (which is a group show) will be on display at Silverlens until July 5.

We had a terribly late lunch at Cav, where Bea joined us. TRUFFLE FRIES FOREVER. Ahem. Beng and I swung by mo_. to see Annie Cabigting’s new show, The Lights Going On and Off, which was amazing. It’s the kind of show that’s a bit hard to explain to people who haven’t seen it why you find it so fucking cool (because it is), but it can also speak for itself.

Washed out by the bright lights, womp womp.

Here’s a wider view from my Instagram account:

Her reference pictures are Martin Creed’s Turner Prize winning work of the same name. It’s just stunning work, and I urge you to please drop by mo_ the next time you are in Bonifacio High Street. mo_ is located at the top floor of Mos Design Building (where Bo Concept is). You can take the outdoor stairs, the elevator (outside the building, on your right), or take the stairs inside the building. JUST GO SEE IT. You guys have until July 20. It’s open until 8 pm, lucky you.