Sining Saysay art exhibit at the Gateway Gallery

Sining Saysay is an ambitious, must-see exhibition going on at the fifth level gallery of the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City. It chronicles the history of the Philippines in 30 large-scale paintings brilliantly executed by 28 alumni artists from the University of the Philippines.

The artists are: Adonai Artificio, Armand Bacaltos, Adi Baen-Santos, Grandier Bella, Benjie Cabangis, Ben Cabrera, Angel Cacnio, Romeo Carlos, Cris Cruz, Denes Dasco, Gig De Pio, Simkin De Pio, Vincent De Pio, Neil Doloricon, Norman Dreo, Amado Hidalgo, Abdul Asia Mari Imao, Ben Infante, Gigi Javier-Alfonso, Aileen Lanuza, Romeo Mananquil, Norlie Meimban, Julius Samson, Jonahmar Salvosa, Randy Solon, Michael Velasco, Jun Yee, and Janice Young.

“Philippines Under Stars and Stripes” – this mural is understandably about the American colonial period

“Restoration of Democracy Continues” – a montage about the significant personalities and happenings in the post-EDSA era.

Open for free to the public, the exhibit is a joint project of the University of the Philippines (UP), the UP Alumni Association (UPAA) and the Araneta Center. All 28 UP alumni artists were invited to bring their visions of history to life on 6 ft. by 12 ft. canvasses. Artists consulted renowned historians Dr. Serafin Quiazon and Prof. Ma. Luisa Camagay, and also researched historic materials on the Net, in old newspapers, and even old movies and vintage airplane models to help recreate details. The project took four years to complete, first envisioned by the UPAA under Atty. Gari M. Tiongco before it was finally mounted.

“The concept was to be a come-on for students to learn the history of the Philippines in just half a day by going around. And not just going around a museum, but here it is given to you in the form of art, from alumni artists of UP. Not every country has this, but here, a tourist can come to the Philippines and learn our history by going over these artworks,” Atty Tiongco said.

The exhibit is open every day from 11AM to 7PM at the Gateway Gallery.