Taking a Plunge in the Ocean : Books in 2013

The mind is a great slave, but a terrible master. To understand Buddhism is to take a plunge in its ocean.
The books I've read in 2013 were not as extensive as the year before that but I had a great time devouring each one of them.
From left to right, top to bottom.
1. Siddharta by Herman Hesse
2. Son ; A Psychopath and his Victims by Jack Olsen
3. Seeking Happiness by Master Hsing Yun
4. Wind and Rain
5. Sutra on the Past Great Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
6. Buddha's Little Instruction Book by Jack Kornfield
7. Finding Fulfillment : Four Insights by Master Hsing Yun
8. Perfectly Willing by Master Hsing Yun
9. The Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha by Master Hsing Yun
10. Steal like an Artist by Austim Kleon
11. The Men who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronson
12. The Peter Pan Syndrome
13. Letters to a Young Poet by Rilke
14. The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson

I have read other books but they didn't make an impression on me and I saw to it that in my temple stay, I devoured as much books as I could because there are things that the Philippine HALA program by Mabuhay Temple did not discourse to students. It was supplemental learning and the library at the temple was extensive.

I was fascinated with how the people would paint themselves in a corner and I believe that people are actually the one who bring themselves to much unneeded drama, problems, issues, and others that causes them suffering. That is why my solo show centers to the heart of that part of the human condition. I booked my solo show last year dated for September 2014 and have done a bit of my part for the artworks but I dedicated time to do some research like reading books and even going further as to live in a temple for three months traveling from the Philippines to Taiwan and back for the study. In so doing doors have opened for me and I am finding out ways to finish projects one by one.

Bought a book in Amazon and is
looking forward to reading this once
it arrives.

During my stay at the HALA program, it discussed how Buddhism is not merely a religion but is actually psychology and philosophy studies and also psychotherapy which is something that I would like to find out further. The people I met along the way were surreal and from then a distinction had been made in my brain.

What really caught my attention to the way that minds works is I noticed that half of my friends were diagnosed with clinical mental illnesses and I always thought they didn't have to be so hard on themselves. the explanation provided by the Sri Lankan monks (Theravada Buddhism) and also the information given by Fo Guang Shan Monastery (Mahayana Buddhism) opens up worlds in the construction of mental processes that can be done mindfully. Giving a way out of depression and other mental illnesses through Buddhist Psychotherapy without the need for pills or any chemicals applied to the brain. It is a holistic approach that explains thoroughly the power of a single thought and how it can affect the mind's function and condition.

It is very interesting to study in a scholarly fashion what we have discovered in the past three months living in a temple in a semi-monastic lifestyle. My artworks and ideas have always been centered on the human condition and so it was a fruitful learning experience for me aside from being able to travel a bit and discover things and people along the way. It seems that the planet Jupiter had been kind to be in 2013 and hopefully this year too by providing me with more opportunities on higher learning, philosophy, and travel.

Introduction to Buddhist Psychology
by Padmasiri De Silva
Also a book I'm eager to read since
I got it this year.

Bubbles That We Are

In Memoriam

Juneseven E.

Born June 7, 1987

Died December 4, 2013 

The rain and leaves fell that day

On a summer that yearned for autumn

In a universe where you no longer exist

The burden of remembrance is on me

Will you tell me again

How we ran hand in hand

Towards the ruins of an old museum

In the grove of Narra trees in full bloom?

The present can only summon memories from the past

But not the emotions that were buried long before we part

To dream of you is to remember you in my sleep

Always in a fleeting moment that can never be seized

 A dear friend from college passed away in the morning of my birthday yesterday...
In the midst of the celebration in the temple, a demonic grief almost swallowed me but I didn't allow myself to be unmoved with sadness. Let me mourn her passing through short stories and poems that can hold the versions of truths on what moments we had in the past when we were young and naive.

At ease in a strange land

Taiwan is a small but nice country just north of the Philippines and its weather is almost the same in the southern part but since the Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Kaoshiung occupies 5 mountains, the weather is substantially cooler than in my homeland. 

I arrived at the Taoyuan airport in Taipei past midnight ten days ago and slept on the rented bus provided by the monastery towards Kaoshiung which is around 4 hours drive from Taipei and I slept throughout the ride. Upon arriving at the monastery, I witnessed my very first sunrise in this foreign land. The sun is less fierce than in the Philippines and it's cooler in the evening.

Taiwan is an independent country according to its people but the Republic of China begs to differ. The number of temples in Taiwan is countless as more and more temples are built while others expand further but one of the most grandeur temples are from the Humanistic Buddhism Fo Guang Shan Order. 

Currently I'm staying in Tsung Lin Buddhist University in their head monastery. I find life here comfortable despite the strict routine system. The program includes lectures, volunteer work, workshops on vegetarian cooking, numerous ceremonies and rituals, sutra calligraphy, and my free time is spent sight seeing in areas available or at the very least explorable without having to spend money. The program is a bit different from the program we have in Mabuhay Temple back in the Philippines. 

The program I'm in seeks to provide ordinary people a peek to the lives of monastics and their system with which they spread the Dharma teachings as discoursed by Buddha. Fo Guang Shan follows Mahayana Buddhism and has hundreds of  temples across the world. 

Amitabha Buddha, the biggest Buddha in Taiwan at FGS Kaoshiung.

Next week, we will visit several branch temples in the northern part of Taiwan. I've been with temple for approximately two months. I have left my family and let go of responsibilities for this opportunity. I haven't seen any of my friends for a long time and I could say that it is a sort of trade off to be here. 

I can't go online often since we have too many things to do. 

I have embraced this sort of mundane living for now. I'm not sorry and would even believe that it provides a wonderful experience for all of us in the program. I'm not too eager to comeback.

Midnight City Tour

I remember well an evening,

Where the wind howls softly in our ears,

And the rain drizzled gently

Leaving dew drops on our hair and skin

That night,

Someone ate the moon

Leaving a quarter to shine

Despite thick clouds

Bike wheels raced through the road

The air filled with speeding laughter

Midnight tour in the city

Her first

My last

Contemplates Life at a Temple

I find myself hurrying to finish projects, favors, and gifts to people I care about, and also for the sake of my undying sense of honor.  

I only have a week left since I decided to take the scholarship that was offered last month that will take me to a temple in Bacolod and live there studying Buddhism and other things like calligraphy and Buddhist etiquette regarding living a simple life. Not to mention the delicious vegetarian food in there that I can eat. Finally eating healthy! 

Despite having the opportunity to decline and simply get on with my life and just follow what I have laid out for myself this year, I would still grab this opportunity.  

It's definitely something I've always wanted to go to but since I chose to focus on my solo show,the single most important thing that I've been working on, everything not related to my solo debut has been nothing but a distraction. 

This one is different because aside from getting in as a scholar, it can teach me in so many ways that may even help create better artworks in the future. 

I just know that I'll come out of this a better person. 

The many projects I have will then have to wait.

I also want to go to Tibet someday and I would like to go there not as tourist but someone who studied the ways of Buddha. 

I believe in fate. Everything seems to fall into place.

Short Travels on Two Wheels and a Million Things to be Sad About

A biker on a corner of a huge painting, a Siopao vendor riding a
vintage bike, I think.

September is here and I did a little bit of travelling where I get to see art. I have been using my bike as far as I could but had to commute all the way to Angono. I sort of regret coming all the way there but it was because I had to help a friend in need of someone to fix their roof and ceiling not to mention she's been depressed and been wanting to kill herself since June. I thought that going there might alleviate the misery and ease a little bit of pain even if it were environmentally, like the ceiling that has been leaking. Unfortunately, I realized that it was a bad idea and found myself trapped in a rather unpleasant situation.

Apparently, depression has always been a puzzling subject for me and I wonder how people stay sad for a very long time. It must be tiring to think about killing oneself every now and then and to be sad that it gets in the way of routine or normal human functions. It must also be very mind-exhausting to think about the shitty things that happened to one's life and sulk about it. When that happens to me I usually get mad and try to avoid situations but I don't normally act on it.
It doesn't mean I haven't been sad or depressed, I have been sad and depressed but I don't let it last for weeks or months. I do get heartbroken because I know I lay my heart too often and it may last for a while but it doesn't mean I'll stop functioning or stop living. I always try to find things that will make me happy or find a way to be happy doing mundane things. Merely existing is not enough, one must live and provide meaning to the void that one has because it will not come and fill itself up on its own. Too often than not doing leisure hedonistic things actually gets me down, what's really rewarding and fulfilling is to create things that reflect parts of my soul and hopefully, I would get to live by it and earn just enough to survive.
My friend said she has been crying herself to sleep and thought that death is a sweet release. There have been shitty things that happened to her recently that she couldn't bare accept it.

It was a huge inconvenience for me and I have wasted time, effort, and money doing so.
The commute to Angono from Cubao was a grueling ordeal, I don't know how these people do it each day.
It was like being in a container van with strangers, ready to be trafficked across the border except for the very loud ghetto music that the jeeps going there play on end. No wonder my friend is depressed.

For the sake of our friendship I decided to just go ahead with it and just look at the positive side of things.

As a consolation, I decided to visit Pinto Art Musem for the second time and see what new art works they have in store. Since my friend have no idea how to travel around her province, we have wasted an hour and a half going around to Antipolo and spent a few more bucks. It really pays to know one's province.

At the Pinto Art Museum, Antipolo. It was a breath taking 25 ft by 10 ft
painting, at least the approximation of the size.

A pocket 2014 planner I bought for 20 bucks

I told my friend that she might enjoy getting a hobby like biking in order to get her mind off her sorrow. She said she could use it to travel back and forth Manila but I noticed she's not so into it. But as one can see, the beauty of bike is undeniable and there're art to prove it so. It is one of the hobbies that I would like to keep and share with friends.

I've tried my best to cheer her up and tell her that sadness is just a state-of-mind but she argued that she's having a mental illness which results to depression. In the end, there was nothing I could have done, she'd be sad either way.

I'm very happy about what I discovered and to set aside the ordeal I had to go through. I'm just glad I got home and was welcomed by hungry kitties who have been waiting for my return. Although finding out that my family ate one of my chickens while I was a way made me sad for a bit, I'm just not that sad enough.

As for depression, people are going to be depressed because they unknowingly keep themselves depressed. They kept on thinking about the sad thing that happened and they chose not to move on. There are in fact at least a million things to be sad about and the list doesn't end but we can provide a few things to get people down and experience agony even just momentarily.
Which I will then discuss on my next entry because I don't want to make reading this entry awfully long and might trigger depression to some.

Adopt a Pitbull with CARA Philippines

A pitbull contemplates a forever home.

More than a year ago there were more than 200 pitbulls rescued from a dog-fighting syndicate where they were mistreated and forced to fight to death with one another. Dog fights were then caught on webcam as online gamblers bet on their mishaps. They were bred in a terrible environment and were raised for terrible reasons, to please the gambler's lust for carnage. Some of them died of sickness and were unable to go on living a normal dog's life after a very traumatizing experience, those who survived suffered irreversible damages, intellectually, emotionally and physically.

This is Bailey, she has serious issues where she tends
to lick her cage ceiling every time someone approaches her.
She was used as a dummy for pitbulls in training where her
snout was taped and her teeth were filed so she won't be able
to fight back or harm the dogs attacking her. It made her socially
retarded and awkward towards any living creature.
She's not ready to be adopted yet, through dog
psychoanalysis and therapy, she will be. For now,
healing her physical wounds is priority, hence the silver nipples.

My visit to the rescue center was prepared and I did all the paper works before hand, I came in as an adopter and would like to give one of these dogs a forever home in Sta Rosa. The trip to Tiaong Quezon was smooth on a Sunday morning where traffic was very cooperative.

The many adoptable pit-bulls fighting for the visitor's
attention through barking, puppy eyed glares, and tail wagging.

Adopters will get to know the dogs better through volunteering their time at the center and also by bonding with their dog of choice.

This one caught my eye because of her beautiful coat and charms.
She got me at "ARF ARF ARF!"

Adopting one of the dogs here requires total commitment and preparedness for the responsibility at hand. It's like wooing a person. I am willing to cross seven mountains and give a day of my week for a dog whom I'm willing to give a forever home. It's hard work, but I know it's worth it. Knowing the dog's personality and behavior can't be done in a single visit, just like Rome was not built in a day.

Let's start with giving her treats and a walk with an interview
"What are your interests?"
"What do you think about interplanetary travel?"
"Do you like cats?"

Volunteer work consists mostly of giving the 164 dogs a walk and giving them baths, at least that's the more active things to do. Observing them and checking out if something's wrong with them is also part of it. There aren't a lot of volunteers and CARA is looking for people who are willing to give their time for these poor dogs.
It's a great way to spend a Sunday and can be done with friends or family. Volunteering here is a satisfying activity that's definitely worthwhile.

This is one of the most aggressive pitbulls in the center. He should never
be approached and is considered to be very dangerous. I think I like him.
He has a nice dark coat as dark as his past and has a look reserved for
grandma-rapers.

Pitbulls are loving dogs who are loyal to the point that they'd do
anything for their masters, even so to kill off another creature of
their race. Their master's happiness is their happiness.

It's terrible that these dogs were raised to kill off the next dog
they bump fur with. It's twisted and had thwarted their
chance at a meaningful dog to dog connection.

Adopt a Laguna pitbull and give these poor creatures
a chance to live in a caring environment where it is safe.
Some dogs are not adoptable yet because they are still sick physically
or must recover from their PTSDs.

Buying a dog or a cat is a shame but adopting an animal
is a gallant and respectable deed. It helps so much in abolishing animal
exploitation in many ways.

I walked three dogs and checked out a group of dogs as part of the volunteer work, the walking part was a bit tiring as I tried running with the dogs to see if they were fit for jogging along with. The dogs were harmless but my shirt and pants were not spared of mud as one of the dogs kept lunging at me with excitement.

These dogs enjoy having visitors because they don't really get a lot of people visiting on them.
For those who wish to volunteer or have inquiries with regards to volunteering, they can email: volunteeratlpb@gmail.com
For those who wish to adopt can email: adopt.a.lpb@gmail.com
Donations are also welcome! Visit http://helpsavethepitbulls.com

Repainted Bike with Wooden Parts

Touched by Midas 

It took me a while to really finish painting and letting the paint dry and it really dries very very slow but I'm happy with the result.
I went ahead and made wooden handle bar grips and wooden pedals. The next thing on my list is the wooden chain-guard and the wooden handle bar for my newly bought mountain bike frame. The basket and trunk at the back is on their way to creation.

Guijo Pedal Popsicle Style
I applied some transparent grips used in longboards
No varnish yet

Trying the alignment out even without the shape yet

Mahogany Handlebar Grips

Eventually, I would like to create a wooden bike with my own design. Though I've seen bamboo bikes roaming around the metro, it's not a new thing. Bamboo bikes have very limited styles as opposed to the designs that I want to create. Solid wood still proves to be a more flexible option.

I don't need a very expensive bike, I prefer to assemble and create the parts myself. I feel that it's more satisfying and really shows my character while at the same time saves me a lot of cash!

My bike is still far from what Gucci sells but it's MOINE!! All MOINE!

I am now ready for some long bike rides then picnic and wine afterwards.

Repainting my Japanese Cruiser Bike Part 1 Updated

Hanging the bike frame to dry after spraying the third coating of primer.

I'm taking a holiday for myself and won't be doing any work for a while. My artworks would have to wait just a bit and writing too as I have decided to just restore a rather beat up Jitensha vintage cruiser bike.

One of the reasons why I preferred buying a used bike is that I can customize it the way I want to and I started with stripping the old paint that has been chipping away and thankfully, the frame has no rust despite being decades old.
The main reason why I bought a used one is that I don't have much of a budget and it's definitely a steal for its price.

I'm rather becoming obsessed with my new cruiser bike which I take as a healthy and fun obsession.
I started repainting today while yesterday was spent stripping paint and cleaning out old rusted parts with a solution that removes rusts. I also bought new bike parts to replace the old ones.

Decided to paint this one too.

Having a cruiser bike is not very popular for young people around here and I only seem to see them being used by laborers and working mom's in my area, I didn't see much of this in Metro Manila but people don't understand the elegance and nostalgia that this type of bike has. Everyone seems to clamor over mountain bikes with brand names all over them or bikes that cost for at least P50,000.

Audrey Hepburn riding a cruiser bike with a straight
step-through

These bikes are considered romantic and has that style and charm that not all bikes possess, it provides a lot of space for customization but still retain flair with its simple design. Perfect for casual bikers like me.

After the primer, the color is added. Now it's just waiting
for the top coat.

Unfortunately it started raining and I was not able to finish painting important parts of the bike like the frame because it takes at least 24 hours for the primer to dry. I had to stop and wait and hope for a sunny tomorrow.
Nonetheless, I certainly enjoyed painting the bike, it's rather expensive to have them repainted in bike shops s0 I'm happy that I bought a compressor a year ago. It's various uses never cease to impress me. Now I'm able to do it on my own.
Repainting the bike is also a good recreational activity for me as it took my mind off a lot of things.
Hopefully tomorrow, I'll be able to finish painting everything and can start making the wooden handlebar grips, boxes, and box carrier.

Updates:

Repairing the nicks of the fenders with automotive putty

Even the smallest parts were air brushed with the color I
chose. After spraying the color it is then followed by
several layers of the top and final coating.

I decided to repaint the bike the way they repaint cars, a complete and meticulous process that I won't compromise. The weather wasn't as cooperative as I wanted it to be so up to now, everything is hanging to dry and would wait for three days to make sure the paint has dried properly. The next activity on my list is to start bushing the frame of the bike.

Hanged the bike parts on our clothes rack

Nakakatamad na Wala Pang Pera

Walang Magawa, Ngiti na lang

What is this affliction? There are so many things that should be done like start creating and finishing artworks, cleaning up the studio, cleaning up my newly bought bike, clean up the house, and yet I couldn't find the energy to move and it's the same with my friend who needs to finish illustrating and submitting artworks as well. Not really to make matters worse, I have spent all my cash as I bought a new bike and spent it on buying materials for projects. Pretty much I'm grounded in Laguna at my own accord.

I have food and all my needs it's just that I can't seem to know which one to do or what to do at all.

Me: Anong tawag dito? Sa pakiramdam na ayaw mong gumawa at higit sa lahat wala ka pang pera?
Zeus: Bwiset! Bwiset and tawag dyan!

Got for a good price, just need to change the V-brakes and spruce up a few
accessories.

Finally bought a new bike without breaking the bank. A vintage ladies bike that still seems pretty good and will give me a few more years of pleasure riding. Will do some repainting since I'm getting tired of red, perhaps bronze or copper. 

Another great project for a bike. Wooden handlebars! I've always wanted to do a project like this.

Sunday Sweet Solitude

Second breakfast. Matcha Green Tea, Water, French Toast & Pandesal
and Suman

Sunday is my favorite day, it has that sort of tranquility that I can’t achieve anywhere else. Ever since I went back to Laguna I’ve always wanted to stay there on Sundays.

It’s just not the same when I spend it somewhere else.

I try to visit my grandmother on Sunday mornings, walking to her place and have a quick breakfast there around 6am. My grandmother wakes up at 2-3am and does her lifetime work of cooking, at 78 she seems rather strong.

Walking back makes me hungry again so I eat a second breakfast. Eating a lot in the morning makes me eat less in the evening.

There is bliss in staying at home on a Sunday, while opening a can of cat food for 6 meowing cats, washing clothes, and sweeping the front yard of dried fallen leaves to feeding the chickens roaming around the house.

 

The dried roses are looking good after a week of hanging.

If things go well and I feel like interacting with people I simply walk to friends’ houses and have coffee with them in the afternoon, to talk about things that makes sense and things that doesn't, otherwise I just call friends on the phone. If I don’t feel like seeing a living soul I watch the Hannibal TV series or Dexter or some movie or read a book. 

I've come to realize that as I grow old, routine seems very important and I tend to hate it when my schedule is a bit disturbed. Nonetheless, it's a good Sunday to do some house chores and to relax in the triumph when all of it were done in the afternoon.

Investing on Two Wheels

An artist must live a frugal life, something that I have had no complaints about. I eat, get to spend time with friends, eat out with them and drink, and so on without spending so much. I have embraced destitution a long time ago, also one reason why I don’t really go out on dates – it’s too expensive so I prefer less-expensive and modest activities like biking around.

Since my fold-able bike was stolen over a month ago, I have been meaning to buy a new one. This time I’m not getting a fold-able one, I’m getting a Ladies Bike.

As a casual biker roaming around town, I thought it would be perfect. A used one would suffice since I don’t have much of a budget and I'm excited to setting it up the way I want to. Creating boxes on the back and a small wooden basket in front. Something to hold wine at the back and a place I can put my Picnic basket.

I'm rather excited to go around with this sort of bike because I haven't really bought any huge bikes lately as I have settled with practicality and portability. It's nice to see lesbians in this sort of bike talking while riding in nice places like Nuvali, which reminded me that it's a nice date activity.
There are also bikes for rent in Nuvali, I went out with someone way-way back and we rode bikes, hanged out on the pier when there were several of them still despite being inaccessible to people. It was a cheap way to go out because rentals only cost about P60 an hour and that's enough to bike around the place. Picnicking afterwards is also inexpensive and relaxing. It's possible to drink wine without paying corkage or have tea or coffee. Several sandwiches, salad, fruits, and cheese and that should be enough.

It also means that whenever I'm stressed out with work, I can easily just go to Nuvali and go take a round then have milk tea at a friend's tea house. :) Going around with a foldable bike is rather difficult.
I'm looking forward to this as I'm very thrilled.

Better this than Injured Dignity

Si Mynx! Ang munting kuting!

Over the weekend I injured my right wrist, it was due to the fact that I have been carrying too many heavy things and doing too many things. It doesn't hurt much but I know something is wrong and it's not going away... It doesn't hurt so bad maybe the pain is a 1.7 out of 10 which is practically nothing. Can't count how many times I've injured this hand... Football, carpentry, carrying things, etc.

I always say, better an injured body part than injured dignity.

It's a good thing I still know how to wrap my hand. Although it makes work a little bit difficult, it doesn't exactly prevent me from working. This week I shall focus on my articles then move on mid week to commissions and making more books to sell.

KASIBULAN: Malakas at Maganda II Group Exhibit

Malakas at Maganda II: A Women’s Group Exhibit of Power and Beauty

KASIBULAN launches its second “Malakas at Maganda” exhibit at the St. Scholastica’s Museum on July 6 as a fundraiser for the St. Scholastica’s Mission Hospital in Pambujan, Northern Samar.

Manila, PH – KASIBULAN (Kababaihan sa Sining at Bagong Sibol na Kamalayan) will be launching its second “Malakas at Maganda” group exhibition series with the theme of woman being both strong and beautiful. The exhibit opens on July 6, Saturday, 4pm at the St. Scholastica’s Museum on Vito Cruz Street, Malate, Manila, with Guests of Honor Ceres Doyo, Tina Monzon-Palma, and Maan Hontiveros. The exhibit runs until August 3.

The exhibit project is for the benefit of St. Scholastica’s Hospital in Pambujan, Northern Samar.  Sister Mary John Mananzan, OSB, has spearheaded the building of the 25-bed hospital, which will serve the poorest in this community in critical need.

The exhibit is the second leg of the Malakas at Maganda series that showcases the Kasibulan artists’ definitions of women’s power, which includes the power to lead, govern, inspire, encourage, and effect change. In one legend of the creation of humans, the man was named “Malakas” (Strong), and the Woman “Maganda” (Beautiful), which perpetrates the stereotype that only man is capable of being strong, and woman should only strive to be beautiful. To claim the term “Malakas at Maganda” to describe a woman is thus to claim virtues that she naturally possesses: she is strong, and she is beautiful.

“Malakas at Maganda II” features artists Brenda V. Fajardo, Imelda Cajipe Endaya, Anna Fer, Julie Lluch, Vivian Nocum Limpin, June Dalisay, Doris G. Rodriguez, Elaine Lopez-Clemente, Baidy Mendoza, Charito Bitanga, Susan Fetalvero Roces, Yasmin Almonte, Arlene Villaver, Lenore RS Lim, Athena Magcase-Lopez, Lea Lim, Aba Lluch Dalena, Fel R. Plata, Christine Sioco, Eden T. Ocampo, Amihan Jumalon, Lot Arboleda, Tinsley Garanchon, Bernadette R. Reyes, Anne Carmela Rosario, and Nicole Anne Asis.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a Kasibulan Arts Bazaar on July 6 from 10am until 7pm, and will feature book art pieces from Veronica Laurel, and other artist-made crafts from the other members. Kasibulan will also hold Artist Talks at St. Scholastica’s Museum. On July 12, Friday, 10am – 12nn, artist talk topic is “The Babaylan in the Modern Age”, with main speaker National Historical Commissioner Fe Mangahas and artist-speakers Imelda Cajipe Endaya and Archie Ligo, to be moderated by Vivian N. Limpin. On July 26, Friday, 10am – 12nn, artist talk topic is “Traditional Art in the Age of New Media”, with main speaker UP Department of Art Studies Professor Eileen Legaspi Ramirez and artist-speakers Vivian N. Limpin and Glenda Maye Abad, to be moderated by Bebang Siy. Both talks are open to the public. The exhibit closes on August 3 with an artist sketching session, with guest artist Lynette Villariba of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and other Kasibulan artists.

About Kasibulan

KASIBULAN (Kababaihan sa Sining at Bagong Sibol sa Kamalayan) is a sisterhood of women artists in the visual, literary, visual, performance, and new media arts, with the mission of providing members with opportunities for creativity, growth, and self-sufficiency, and work for the development of distinct women's expression.

Horses and Women

Mary Gaitskill is one skilled writer that brings out the raw tendencies of human beings. I discovered her while  contemplating to buy a snake stuff toy in Glorietta's many book bargain booths scattered around the mall when a friend of mine pulled out a book simply because the title was "Veronica".
And it was good, it was tragically beautiful.

Contrary to Paulo Coelho's Veronika decides to die, in Gaitskill's Veronica, she doesn't contemplate dying then attempts to do so - she denied it vehemently and successfully died.

Here is a short story that connects death and life.

The Mare
by Mary Gaitskill

I

met Velveteen when I was 45, but I felt still young. I looked young too. This is probably because I had not done many of the things most people of that age have done: I’d had no children and no successful career. I married late after crashing through a series of relationships and an intense half-life as an artist visible only in Lower Manhattan, the other half of my life being that of a drug addict. 

I met my husband in Narcotics Anonymous; he lived in the city then, though we’ve since moved to a small town upstate. He makes a good living as a tenured English professor at a small college. A lot of his income goes to support his wife and daughter from a previous marriage, and we live in an old faculty-housing unit long on charm and short on function. Not owning doesn’t bother us, though. We are comfortable, and we are happy with each other. We go out to eat a lot and travel in the summer. 

When people ask me what I do now, I sometimes say, “I’m retired,” sometimes, “I’m transitioning,” and very occasionally, “I’m a painter.” I’m embarrassed to say the last part even though it’s true: I paint almost every day, and I think I’m better than I was when I showed at a downtown gallery 20 years ago. But I’m embarrassed anyway because I know I sound foolish to people here, people who have kids, and jobs too, and who wouldn’t understand my life before I came here. There are a few—women who paint at home, too—who I’ve been able to talk about it with, describe what art used to be to me, and what I’m trying to make it be again: a place more real than anything in “real” life. A place I remember dimly, a place of deep joy, where, when I could get to it, was like tuning in to a radio frequency that was sacred to me. Regardless of anything else, nothing was more important than carrying that frequency on the dial of myself.  

Read more in Vice: http://www.vice.com/en_ca/read/the-mare-000811-v20n6?fb_action_ids=3116648053274&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

Tragedy of the Great

All too often great love falls for the coward and the weak.

Those who are light and hollow who goes where the wave goes are the types of people who are the bringer of doom to hopeful love. As they embrace the meretriciousness of society with arms wide without question, as they are those who often can't think for themselves, devoid of the consciousness that powers a love that can be so great. But these hopeful love creates a world and sweats for its creation, yet fueled only by the desire to capture love that often times prove to be callow and careless wallowing in its own selfishness.

This is one of my favorite literature that depicts the strength and weakness of the human condition. The Great Gatsby has been adapted to film at least three times but not of the films have captured the emotional turmoil that the characters have experienced as one forces a possibility that could be so wonderful yet also tragic.

Karibok at Paleta Art Space

I'm included in the Group Show in Paleta Art Space located in Conde Labak, Batangas City.

It will be my first time to go and have a group show in the land where my family hails and where my mom grew up. Batangas has been our province but my part of the family branched out to Laguna and lived here since.

16 Months To Go

It’s been set, my first debut solo show has been scheduled 16 months from now. A solo show as they say, marks the success of an artist in breaking into the scene but this has been much delayed. I was offered the solo show last year and had I worked on it sooner, I could have debuted earlier – but of course, I do believe that I needed to be side-tracked to realize the greater things I need to prioritize.

I find myself back to where I was and realizing where I should be, at home in Sta Rosa where I now fix and organize my literary-office/book-art studio and wood shop with much excitement. Things I believe are falling into place and I’ve set my goal. Research and studies fill my idle times aside from working on the studio which proves to be laborious.

Repainting the walls after 15 years and refurbishing furniture. It is due to the fact that I must live a frugal life where I have to do these things on my own. A meagre salary from writing and a few projects here and there doesn’t promote an indulgent lifestyle. It’s a good thing I find happiness in laborious things – it is one of the things that make me happy when I’ve successfully finished doing the things that seemed impossible and seemed tiring.

I do not expect that I will be able to go out as often as I’d like but I’ve willingly embraced this loneliness to work on my show and other projects. There is contentment and satisfaction as I see small fruits of my labour. To add to the fact that I must live as frugal as I should, going out will be very much limited which is something that I’ve accepted. I content myself with the simple joys of hearing different great news from friends and ex-lovers. I recently found out that one of my ex-lovers from college is going to get married, I am thrilled and happy for her.

However, since I have thrown myself away from the Gates of Hell(Manila, in its romantic description), my joys and happiness for these people have become nothing more than a murmur in another corner of the universe, let it be so for my sadness. How terrible it is to not be able to express happiness in one’s own way but be reduced to nothing more than words and Facebook statuses and messages…

I have gathered enough materials to start and some of the pieces I’ve already started working on. My solo show is about the Human Condition, which proves to be quite a heavy and deep concept which requires a lot of research and a lot of books to read. I must study and further explore ideas and continue to work on which is the best way to execute, despite difficulties.

There is no easy way to this.

Unattractive and Rusted Chisel Set

Tools of the Trade

Barangay Humigit - Kumulang by Jose Tence Ruiz

Solo Show by Jose Tence Ruiz
March 1 - 31

Sulihiya

Photography by Alan Bacchelli

Ply Cover

The Mundane
Poetry and Short Story Collection
Ply Cover
6.5x4.5x0.5 Inches
Pre-Order Price P1000