Ten Hong Kong based Guhit Kulay artists are exhibiting their artworks starting February 12 to March 11, 2022 at the most popular art haven in Baguio City, at the Tam-awan Village for the celebration of Panagbenga.
The exhibition was organised by Chanum Foundation artists Eden Cawang and Rhesa Payangdo who were both overseas workers of their respective careers. Having worked abroad they recognise the hopes and dreams of an artist which is to be able to exhibit their obra in the home country.
It is also important to note that this is the first time, particularly Hong Kong artists and a member of Guhit Kulay, that their works were given a space in a gallery in Baguio City. Rhesa, a former overseas worker in Hong Kong bravely introduced Guhit Kulay to her fellow artists and to the foundation, sealing the deal for a project that is now on display. Rhesa returned to the Philippines on February 20, 2021 to be a full time artist, making this exhibition her first in Baguio.
Rhesa was and still is a member of Guhit Kulay before she went back the Philippines, and as part of her reintegration she sees art as her fall back and indeed art embraced her having landed as the part-time manager/artist at the Ayonna Gallery in Shilan, La Trinidad, Benguet.
According to Rhesa, making art has been her passion as a kid, and this opportunity is a dream come true, not to mention the chance to be part of an art group in Baguio City where most of the popular and pioneer artists in the Cordillera belong.
All of the artworks were shipped via a popular way of sending the box door-to-door on Dec. 20, 2021, and arrived the first week of February. The shipping company apologised for the delay due to new quarantine restrictions of goods coming from overseas, this made the waiting and unboxing more exciting, according to Rhesa.
One of the artists is Marilyn Lopez and the current president of Guhit Kulay sent a message of gratitude to the whole team of Chanum Foundation.
“Para sa marami sa amin na miyembro ng Guhit Kulay isang pangarap lang noon ang makapag exhibit sa Tam-Awan. Kaya para sa amin isang malaking karangalan ang maimbitahan na makapag exhibit kasabay sa pagdiriwang Panagbenga festival. Sa mga lumipas na taon sa kasagsagan ng pandemya na naging balakid upang mahadlangan ang mga pagkakataon na maipakita namin ang aming kakayahan. Ngunit sa pagkakataong binigay ninyo sa amin ang distansya at sitwasyon ay hindi naging hadlang upang mapatunayan na natatangi ang mga migranteng manggagawa. Naramdaman din namin kahit papaano na parang kami ay nasa sariling bayan parin dahil sa presensya ng inyong pagpapahalaga. Kaya kami ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng mga taong nagtiwala sa aming kakayahan upang maibahagi at maipakita ang aming talento sa pag likha. Kami ay mga migranteng manggagawa mula sa Hong Kong. Nais naming ipakita na kami ay hindi lang isang dayuhang manggagawa. Kami ay maraming kaalaman at kakayahan. Bukas ang aming puso't isipan sa pagyakap sa ating mayamang kultura. Mula sa bumubuo ng Guhit Kulay artist group dito sa HongKong kami ay taos puso na nagpapasalamat lalong lalo na sa dating ofw at aktibong miyembro ng Guhit Kulay na si Miss Rhesa Makin Payangdo at kay Miss Eden Cawang maraming salamat sa pagbibigay ng suporta at oportunidad na kami ay maging bahagi sa pagdiriwang ng Panagbenga Festival.”
Other featured artists were Lorelito Dong Eludo (HK), Jhonalyn Macalalad (HK), Ma. Christina Anire (HK), Noemi Manguerra (Canada), Marichel Tomines (HK), Jacklyn Evangelista (HK), Cecil Eduarte (HK), Leizl Tam-og (HK), and Cristina Cayat (HK). By: CBC
