Write, Breathe, Live

Panel Collective Exhibit at the UP Vargas Museum in Diliman, Q.C.

My son, who loves to draw, asked me to bring him to the Comics and Illustration Artists' Talk held yesterday in UP Diliman. He's an incoming high school senior and is aspiring to enter the College of Fine Arts next year.

Although it's a long way from our house in Alabang to UP Diliman, we decided to make the trip because I believe being with other artists will inspire and encourage my son more to pursue his artistic leanings. I was so glad we came. He said he learned a lot just by listening to Melvin Calingo, Joanah Tinio-Calingo, Jon Zamar and Michael David. He particularly enjoyed the actual demonstrations done in Adobe Photoshop about inking, coloring and other techniques.

We also viewed the different artworks displayed at the Edge Gallery. It was wonderful to be exposed the huge amounts of talent these Filipino artists have.

The exhibit features the group known by the same name, Panel Collective, composed of young and maverick comic book illustrators and cartoonists who have created a major portfolio in local and international comics. While their works are distinctive of each artist’s vision, these are connected by the visual narrative and sequential format comic illustration and cartooning has to offer. Featured artists include Melvin Calingo, Joanah Tinio-Calingo, Michael David, Gabriel Dela Cruz, Gilbert Monsanto, Jhomar Soriano, Elmer Damaso, Jerome Jacinto, JM Valenzuela, Keso, Chong Ardivilla, Albert Rodriguez, Syeri Baet-Zamar, Jon Zamar and Robi Villagracia (paragraph taken from the official press release).

Catch the second Artists’ Talk on June 26, 10:00 AM– 12:00 PM and hear them share their insights and experiences as comics and illustration artists.

Panel Collective will run until 28 June 2009. For more information, please contact the UP Vargas Museum at 928-1927 (direct line), 981-8500 local 4024 (UP trunkiline), 928-1925 (fax), 0929-8567909 (mobile), or send an e-mail to vargasmuseum@gmail.com. You may also visit the Museum’s official website at www.vargasmuseum.org.