#benedicto reyes cabrera

[peaceinthestorm]

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (b.1942, Filipino) ~ The Letter, 1984

[Source: Sotheby’s]

[terminusantequem]

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (Filipino, b. 1942), DRAPES ON TABLE, 1971. Mixed media on paper laid onto cardboard, 38.5 x 34 cm

[lostwithart]

Reflection

Abellon, Joanna Chris

Crisis in Humanity (2017)

“I think it’s become like that in a way because it’s become so popular. But at the same time, if there’s a crisis in humanity, I go back to that, to what affects me politically.”

- Ben Cabrera (2017)

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, also known as "BenCab," was born on April 10, 1942, in Malabon, Philippines, and studied at the Philippine University. He is highly regarded as a master of contemporary Philippine art, as he is most commonly known. He was awarded the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining in 1992. (Cultural Center of the Philippines Award for the Arts). President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo awarded him the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts in Malacanan Palace in 2006. At the age of seven, he begins painting on the sidewalk and on walls, motivated by his older brother named Salvador, an established artist. Salvador takes him everywhere and brought him into the world of art.

Crisis in Humanity (2017)

As a normal person who likes gore-themed artwork, it got my attention. Seeing this artwork of the legend Mr. BenCab, I was so amazed and had an eagerness to know what is the story behind this piece. It is an example of a societal problem that exists in many countries. It has something to do with humanity's difficulties, where killings, harassment, and other crimes occur everywhere. Knowing the Philippines, the last administration of President Rodrigo Duterte was exposed to Extra-Judicial killings where Our government's inhumane deed resulted in the deaths of numerous persons who were "suspected" of using illegal narcotics. We all know that consuming illegal substances is bad, but killing someone without further investigation and due process is much worse. Some said that the drug war was anti-poor because a lot of people who died from the killings are the majority from the lower class also known as the poor population. Ben Cabrera was known as a critic of late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos who declared martial law in the mid-’80s. When the current president Duterte allowed the burial of Marcos in the Libingan ng Mga Bayani and freely express his admiration for the late dictator Marcos, the massive killings of the drug war were all over the country, Ben Cabrera was one of the people who stood up and criticized him by his artwork, it speaks how the Philippines experienced the ‘Crisis in Humanity’. There were no particular materials that were shared in the interviews but it is clearly a big canvas with charcoal pencils.

At the first glance, the first thing that comes to my mind is suffering. If you will analyze the faces of every individual in that artwork, the emotions you will see are afraid, despair, sadness, and agony. It clearly implies to me that the people in the artwork had done too much in their life that’s why the facial expressions are kinda bit goosebumps if we will look closely. The shades and the strokes of the charcoal pen are strong.

As a student who’s exposed to social media and in just one click the news is already on my screen, I am aware of what society had been through. I had a friend who’s his father was a victim of EJK and for me, that was really alarming knowing the killers are unknown or called vigelante. My principles are will always side with what is non-violent, I believe that violence is the number one cause of injustices in the world and that is what Ben Cabrera wants to imply, the drug war not only affects the people who died on the scene but the experience left in the consciousness of the people who encounter this bloody drug war. This art made an impact on me especially since we are in a pandemic, we have time to search and watch documentaries and explore art about injustices. It made my principles be sharpened and see the blind spots where I am privileged.

This art will contribute more to seeing the dark side of injustices in the modern world and maybe this served as a platform to discuss these experiences brought about by the abuse of power and corrupt practices.

REFERENCES:

http://www.artnet.com/artists/benedicto-cabrera/4

https://www.askart.com/artist/Ben_Benedicto_Reyes_Cabrera/11020444/Ben_Benedicto_Reyes_Cabrera.aspx

https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/works-of-ben-cab

https://design-anthology.com/story/new-identity

[ucprincess]

Si Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (ipinanganak noong Abril 10, 1942), na mas kilala bilang "BenCab", ay isang Pilipino pintor. Siya ay iginawad ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas (Pagpinta) noong 2006. Siya ay ang "pinakamabentang pintor ng kanyang henerasyon ng mga Pilipinong pintor. "

Sa Malabon noong Abril 10, 1942, si BenCab ay ipinanganak kina Democrito Cabrera at Isabel Reyes. Siya ang bunso sa pamilya. Ang unang pagkakalantad at pagtuklas ni BenCab ng sining ay nangyari sa pamamagitan ng kanyang nakatatandang kapatid na si Salvador, na siya ay isang matatag na pintor noong bata pa si Bencab.

Nagpatuloy siya sa pag-aaral sa University of the Philippines Diliman, kung saan sinubukan niya ang iba`t ibang mga art visual form - potograpiya, draftsmanship, paggawa ng print - habang kinikilala ang kanyang napiling pabor bilang isang pintor. Noong 1963, nakatanggap siya ng kanyang bachelor's degree sa Fine Arts

Umalis si Bencab sa Pilipinas upang kumatawan sa bansa sa kilalang VI Paris Biennale, kasama sina Virgilio Aviado at Lamberto Hekanova, na may isang hanay ng mga pinturang spray, at abstract na mga pagpipinta. Naglalakbay din sa Thailand, Hong Kong, India, Nepal, Switzerland, Italy bago pumunta sa London kung saan ikinasal niya ang fiancée niya si Caroline Kennedy, isang British journalist.

Nagpasya ang mag-asawa na manatili sa London. Nagkaroon silang tatlong anak. Ang panganay, si Elisar, ay ipinanganak noong 1971 at ngayon ay isang tagagawa ng pelikula at serye sa web, kasal sa nagwaging award na manunulat ng dula at manunulat ng serye sa web, si Lisa Gifford, na nakabase sa London; Ang kanilang gitnang anak na si Mayumi, ay ipinanganak sa Maynila noong 1973 at naging isang modelo sa London at Los Angeles. Ang kanilang bunso, si Jasmine ay ipinanganak noong 1977 at nakatira sa siyudad ng Quezon.

Sa London, nagbebenta si Bencab ng oriental na mga antigo sa isang palengke sa Chelsea upang madagdagan ang kanyang kita.

Ang mga unang taon ni Bencab bilang isang pintor sa London "ay hindi gaanong madali", ngunit ang kanyang mga talento ay agad na kinilala. Sa sumunod na apat na dekada, itinatag niya para sa kanyang sarili ang isang pangalan ng pang-internasyonal na kahalagahan, na may hawak na mga eksibisyon mula sa London hanggang New York hanggang Macau, at nanalo maraming pangunahing mga parangal sa sining sa isang karera na sumasaklaw sa apat na dekada.

Noong 1985, ang 16-taong kasal ni BenCab kasama si Kennedy ay nagtapos sa diborsyo, at kalaunan ay nagpasya siyang umuwi sa Pilipinas.

Bumalik siya sa Pilipinas, at nanirahan sa lungsod ng Baguio sa Luzon. Nagtayo siya ng isang studio at isang maliit na sakahan sa Asin road sa Benguet. Siya at mga ibang kapwat artista – iskultor na si Ben Hur Villanueva, pintor sa sining biswal na si Santiago Bose, at tagagawa ng pelikula na si Kidlat Tahimik, bukod sa iba pa, ay nagtatag ng Baguio Arts Guild (BAG). Sa panahong ito nagsimula si BenCab na mas tuklasin ang paggamit ng papel upang gumawa ng likhang sining.

Noong lindol sa Luzon sa 1990, tumulong si Bencab at ang BAG sa pamamagitan ng pagtaguyod ng mga programa tulad ng workshop ng ArtAid para sa mga na-trauma na bata, at isang pangangalap ng pondo sa sining na pinamagatang "Artquake."

Sa bandang huli ng dekada 1990, ang kontribusyon ni Bencab ay importante sa paglikha ng Tam-awan Village, "isang kanlungan para sa mga lokal na artista na nagnanais ng isang nakapangalagaang kapaligiran kung saan bubuo ang kanilang mga talento, at isang pamayanan para sa lahat ng mga nais na makibahagi sa ang maayos na pagsasanib ng sining, kultura, kapaligiran, at kasaysayan.

[seraphs-synposia]

Erotic Art | Benedicto Reyes Cabrera “BenCab” |  Bencab Museum | Philippines

[budedd]

Paglakbay sa Malamig na Norte

Larawan mula sa Agoda

Kilala bilang Summer Capital ng Pilipinas, ang Baguio ang madalas na pinupuntahan kung nais mong magpahinga mula sa nakakatunaw na init sa mga kapatagan. Ang Baguio ay isang lungsod na matatagpuan sa 250 kilometro sa hilaga ng Maynila, sa gitna ng lalawigan ng Benguet. Sa mga baguhan sa pagtratravel, ang Baguio ay magandang opsyon na bisitahin. Maraming mga lugar na maaring puntahan sa Summer Capital

Mga Lugar na Maaring Puntahan:

Larawan mula sa Phmillennia

Burham Park 

Ang ‘mother of all parks’ sa Summer Capital ng Baguio. Kilala ang Burnham Park sa kanilang malawak na lagoon kung saan maaring kang sumakay ng bangka. Matatagpuan rin dito ang children’s playground, skating rink, orchiardum, at picnic area. Siguradong hindi ka mauubusan ng mga aktibidad na gagawin.

Larawan mula sa Fabulous Philippines

Mines View Park

Isang gulod na matatagpuan sa hilagang-silangan ng lungsod, ipinagmamalaki ng Mines View Park ang kamangha-manghang tanawin ng mga minahan ng ginto at tanso ng Benguet at mga bundok ng Cordillera. Ang Mines View Park ay magandang puntahan para sa mga komersyal activities tulad ng tindahan ng mga souvenirs at pasalubong. Kung mayroon mang naghihintay ng pasalubong sa bahay, dito mo makikita ang iba’t ibang produkto na nilikha sa Baguio

Larawan mula sa GetAwayPH

BenCab Museum

Ang BenCab Museum ay nagha-highlight ng mga pangunahing koleksyon ng sining ng National Artist for Visual Arts, Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, o BenCab. Matatagpuan ito malapit sa sentro ng Lungsod ng Baguio. Ang museo na ito ay nagha-highlight ng Tribal Cordilla Art. Ipinapaalala ng museo ang saganang kultura at tradisyon ng hilagang kabundukan ng Pilipinas.

Larawan mula sa The Happy Trip

Tam-awan Village

Isang reconstructed Cordillera Village ay matatagpuan sa Barangay Pinsao. Ito ay isang open-air museum kung saan ipinapakita ang mga tradisyonal na kubo, kumpleto sa impormasyon ng kanilang kultura. Ang mga kubo ay ipinangalan sa kanilang mga pinagmulan. Maaari ka ring matulog sa mga kubo kung gusto mong maranasan ang tradisyunal na pamumuhay nuong sinauna. Ipinakita rin nito ang tribal arts ng mga kilalang artista sa Cordillera.

Larawan ay mula sa Daniel’s Eco-Travels

Wright Park

May isang hugis-parihaba na tubig sa gitna ng parke na pinapaligiran ng mga sagana na puno. Ang lugar na ito ay magandang opsyon sa pagkuha ng mga magagandang litrato. Kung hindi mo kagustuhan ang pagpicture, mayroon ring aktibidad na maari mong magustuhan. Ang Horseback Riding sa Wright Park ay isa sa mga popular na aktibidad ng Baguio. Maari kang mag renta ng kabayo kung hindi mo kahiligan ang palakad-lakad sa parke. Maaari kang magrenta ng kabayo sa halagang P300 kada oras at P200 kada 30 minuto

Larawan mula sa Philippine Travel Photos

The Mansion

Ang Mansion ay opisyal na summer residence ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas. Matatagpuan ito sa silangang bahagi ng lungsod sa kahabaan ng C.P. Romulo Drive at sa tapat lang mismo ng Wright Park. Mayroong maliit na museo sa loob kung saan pinapamahayan ang mga likhang sining na nakolekta sa mga nakaraang taon ng mga dating pangulo.  

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Dito mo mararanasan ang sikat ng araw ng walang kaproble-problema sa init, ang malamig ng simoy ng hanging ay pananatiliin kang presko sa iyong lakbayin. Namnamin ang malamig na panahon, mayamang kultura at mga nakamamanghang tanawin sa Summer Capital!

[haaauhaaau]

Syudad de Baguio: Ang Hiwaga ng Hilaga

Larawan mula sa Tripadvisor

           Baguio City: ang kabisera ng tag-init ng Pilipinas, ang lungsod ng mga pino.            Sa layong 250 kilometro pahilaga mula sa Manila, mararating ang isa sa mga pinakanatatanging pook-pasyalan sa Pilipinas – ang puso ng Benguet, Baguio City. Sa altitud nitong 5,050 talampakan sa ibabaw ng katubigan, hindi na kataka-takang kahit pa tatlong patong na ang kasuotan ay damang dama pa rin ang yakap ng malayelo nitong simoy dahil ang pangkaraniwang temperatura rito ay umaabot ng 15oC. Kung nanaising masulit nang lubusan ang pagbisita sa Baguio City, ang buwan ng Pebrero ang pinakaideyal na panahon ng pagpanik dahil sa buwang ito ipinagdiriwang ang Pista ng mga Bulaklak – Panagbenga Festival. Ngunit, hindi ito nangangahulugang ang nalalabing mga buwan sa taon ay hindi na nakakaengganyong pumasyal sa Baguio City dahil sa anumang panahon, laging bukas ang mga kamangha-mangha nitong tanawin.  

MGA NAKAKAPINTIG-BALAHIBONG ATRAKSYON SA LUNGSOD NG BAGUIO

Larawan mula sa Inquirer News

Lion’s Head

           Ang malahiganteng ulo ng leyon na nakaukit sa isang bato ay may taas na apatnapung talampakang. Matatagpuan ito sa pagbaybay sa Kenon Road na isa sa mga daan papasok sa Baguio City. Itinayo ang Lion’s Head noong 1960 at ngayo’y isa na sa mga pinakakilalang muhon ng syudad.

Larawan mula sa The Filipino Homeschooler

BenCab Museum

           Ang BenCab Museum, itinayo noong 2009, ay nasa kahaban ng Asin Road, labinlimang minutong byahe mula sa sentro ng Baguio City. Ang galeriyang ito ang isa sa mga puntahing lugar sa lungsod na kinababahayan ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas na si Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, sikat sa taguring “BenCab.” Tampok sa museo ang mga natatanging likhang sining ni BenCab na kadalasan ay may temang Cordilleran.

Larawan mula sa Thirsty Blogger

Tam-Awan Village

           Apat na kilometro mula sa pusod ng Baguio City matatagpuan ang Tam-Awan Village. Ang Tam-Awan Village ay itinayo noong 1998 ng Chanum Foundation Inc. Isa itong kultural na eksibit na itinalaga ng mga lokal na alagad ng sining na kung saan maaaring makasulyap sa mayamang paraan ng pamumuhay ng mga tiga-Cordillera.

Larawan mula kay Oliver M. Bautista

The Mansion

           Ang The Mansion ay itinayo noong 1908 bilang bahay-pahingahan ng gobernadora-heneral ng Amerika. Sa kasalukuyan, ito na ang opisyal na panirahan ng pangulo ng Pilipinas kapag tag-init. Kahit pa hindi pinapahintulutan ang publiko na makapasok sa loob ng mansyon, kaakit-akit pa rin ang taglay nitong tanawin.

Larawan mula kay Christian Lucas Sangoyo

Wright Park

           Sa mismong tapat ng The Mansion matatagpuan ang Wright Park. Naitatag ang Wright Park noong 1886 nang maghandog si Charles Wright ng dalawampung ektaryang lupain upang maging pampublikong parke. Ang parkeng ito ay isa sa mga ipinagmamalaking pasyalan ng Baguio City. Ang Wright Park ay isang “ecopark” na bukas para sa publiko kung kaya’t maraming turista ang naeengganyong maglibot dito. Isa sa mga tampok na aktibidad sa Wright Park ay pagsakay sa makukulay na kabayo na talaga namang nakakapagbigay pahinga sa mga turista.

Larawan mula sa Foursquare

Botanical Garden

           Kung ang hanap mo ay isang payapang lugar kasama ang kalikasan, ang Baguio Botanical Garden ang para sa iyo. Ang Botanical Garden na ito ang natatanging hardin na nakatindig sa gitna ng lungsod. Karagdagan dito, sa pagbaybay sa loob ng hardin ay maaari ring madiskubre ang pamamaraan ng pamumuhay ng mga Igorot na naninirahan mismo sa Botanical Garden.

Larawan mula sa ZEN Room

Burnham Park

           Burnham Park: ang pinakapopular na parke sa Baguio City. Ito ay matatagpuan sa pusod ng Baguio. Maraming mga aktibidad ang maaaring magawa rito, gaya na lamang ng pamamangka, pagbibisikleta, pamimili, paglalaro – lahat ng maaaring maisip gawin, paniguradong nandito iyan sa Burnham Park.

Larawan mula sa Daniel’s Eco-Travels

Mines View Park

           Hilagang-silangan sa dakong labas ng lungsod ng Baguio matatagpuan ang Mines View Park. Ito ang isa sa pinakapopular na pasyalan ng mga turista dahil sa makapigil-hininga nitong tanawing sakop ang buong marilag na kabundukan ng Cordillera. Dito ay maaaring magrenta ng mga katutubong kasuotan ng mga Ifugao sa paglibot sa parke na makapagbibigay ng lubos na karanasan at kasiyahan.

Larawan mula sa Lemi

Good Shepherd Convent

           Ang Good Shepherd Convent ay naitatag noong 1948. Popular ang kumbentong ito sa mga ipinagmamalaking masasarap na pasalubong mula sa Baguio City – tulad ng peanut brittle, peanut butter, lengua de gato, strawberry jam, at ube jam – na gawa ng mga madreng naninirahan dito. Matatagpuan ang Good Shepherd Convent hindi kalayuan mula sa Mines View Park.

Larawan mula kay Jonathan Cayannan

Camp John Hay

           Ang Camp John Hay ay dating base-militar ng mga Amerikano noong Pangalawang Pandaigdigang Digmaan. Ang mga aktibidad na perpektong gawin sa kampong ito ay magpiknik, maglakad-lakad, at maglaro ng golf.

Larawan mula sa Pinoy Adventurista

Tree Top Adventure

           Ang Tree Top Adventure ay isang pook-libangan na patok para sa mga taong naghahanap ng abentura. Dito ay makaranas ng mga matinding mga aktibidad gaya ng zip-lining, bungee jumping, treetop climbing, at cablecar riding. Matatagpuan ang pasyalang ito kaunting lakad lamang mula sa Camp John Hay.

Larawan mula sa VisitPinas

The Diplomat Hotel

           Kung kilabot naman ang nais maramdaman, ang Diplomat Hotel ang sagot para riyan. Ang Diplomat Hotel ay itinayo noong 1913. Noong kasagsagan ng Pangalawang Pandaigdigang Digmaan, ginamit ang hotel upang maging kampo ng mga tumatakas na mga tao mula sa kamay ng mga hapones. Subalit hindi naglaon, natagpuan at pinasok na rin ito ng mga militanteng hapon at gumawa ng mga barbarikong kilos gaya ng panggagahasa, pagpapahirap, at pagpatay. Inabandona ang nasabing hotel noong mga huling yugto ng 1980 at ngayon ay nasa ilalim na ng pamahalaan ng Baguio City.

Larawan mula sa Vigattine Tourism

Baguio Cathedral

           Ang Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral o mas kilala bilang Baguio Cathedral ay isang Katolikong simbahang nasa kahabaan ng Session Road. Ito ay binuksan at binendisyunan noong taong 1936 sa ilalim ng lideratura ni Rev. Fr. Florimond Carlu. Taglay ng Baguio Cathedral ang tanawing sakop ang kabuuan ng lungsod.

Larawan mula kay Audible Books

Baguio City Public Market

           Mercado Publico de la Ciudad de Baguio: ang one-stop-all-shop na bilihan ng kahit anumang isipin ng isang mamimili. Mula sa karne, isda, at gulay, hanggang sa kanilang ipinagmamalaking tela, kakaibang mga putahe, at mga pasalubong na sa Baguio lamang matatagpuan.

 PABAON!

           Kaakibat ng ating pagbisita sa mga natatanging lugar sa Baguio City ay ang ating responsibilidad upang alaagan at ipreserba ang mga ito. Gayundin, sa pagbaba natin mula sa malaparaisong kabundukang ito, baunin sana natin ang ganda at kulay ng kultura at tradisyon ng mga taong naninirahan dito, maski anuman ang etnisidad. Huwag nating hayaang tayo na lamang ang huling henerasyon na magkakaroon ng prebilehiyong makasilip sa gandang itinatago ng lungsod.

           Muli, halina’t pumanik at tuklasin ang mga natatagong yaman ng Syudad de Baguio: Ang Hiwaga ng Hilaga!

[andwiyaa]

TRES MARIAS by Ben Cab

All motion and lightness, achieved partly by freely disposed line and partly by the vibrant contrast of dark and light. His exploration of form found its way out of the late neo realism and high abstraction of the sixties to be able to reconsider the potency of figurative expression in the seventies through the contemporary era.

Source: https://www.wescover.com/p/paintings-by-benedicto-reyes-cabrera-bencab-at-solaire-resort-and-casino--PB1D9tlrNd-

[artap10journal]

Analysis of Benedict Cabrera’s “The Family that Starves Together Stays Together” through the Four Planes of Analysis

Nathaniel Yap

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, more popularly known as BenCab, was born in April 10,1942. He was introduced to art by his brother, Salvador Cabrera, at a young age. Cabrera’s family moved to Bambang, Tondo in 1954. Cabrera developed his deep sympathy for the underprivileged while he was in Manila. In 1964, Cabrera sketched a madwoman in Bambang in Sabel. Sabel would later become a recurring symbol in Cabrera’s career representing isolation, despair, dislocation, and (in the bencabmuseum.org website) is said to be the personification of human dignity threatened by circumstance. Cabrera would later receive international recognition during his time painting in London, and hailed as a Filipino pioneer of the arts when he returned to the Philippines in 1972. While in the Philippines, the majority of Cabrera’s works were social commentaries on the topics of repression and freedom. This led to Cabrera returning to London to get away from Martial Law in 1972 and developing protest art against the Marcos regime. 

Cabrera’s The Family that Starves Together Stays Together was created in 1968 and owned by the Ateneo Art Gallery through the Purchase Fund of Fernando Zóbel. The artwork was done in pen and ink on paper and depicts a family of four: a father, a mother, a son, and a toddler. It would seem that Cabrera used irregular lines and patterns to create the shapes and forms of the subject of the artwork. As a result of this irregular way of drawing, the silhouettes of the family seem obscure as if hidden in darkness; this is propelled further through the black background at the left side of the artwork which shows pure darkness, when compared to how Cabrera expressed darkness in the contours of the parents. Since Cabrera only used black ink to create the artwork, he is limited in terms of adding value and depth into the artwork as light and shadows are more difficult to express with ink. However Cabrera’s use of cross hatching adds both value and depth in the artwork as the shadows add a deeper three-dimensionality to his artwork. The jagged and “violent” way Cabrera cross-hatched darkness seemed to make the parents more grotesque and malicious while painting the picture of the parents being the villains in the subject. The limitation of color and the uneven cross-hatching adds a dramatic effect to work of art, in a surreal chiaroscuro manner. Additionally, the limitation in color seems to provide a power play between good and evil through the lightness and purity of the children and the darkness and grotesqueness of the parents.  

The dynamic of good and evil continues in the actions of the parents. The parents seem to hold down their children as if holding them hostage and keeping them in the dark. This is implicitly pushed through grotesque sinister face of the father and he doesn’t hold his son in an affectionate way, but rather his arms seem tense from the way his left fist is closed and how his right hand is on top of his right as if he’s trying to restrict his son’s movement. The son also seems uncomfortable and pained by the way his father holds him down, but it doesn’t seem like he’s trying to resist his father’s hold on him. 

Cabrera’s title of this artwork “Family that Starves Together Stay Together” refers and twists the original saying of “the family that eats together, stays together. The title suggests Filipino family-centricity where Filipinos greatly value filial piety and family blood. However, title describes these bonds as bondage as the parents in the artwork purposefully keep their children in the darkness. This artwork was made before Cabrera left for London to escape Martial Law and is one of the social commentaries he has done describing the socio-financial struggles and and conditions of the urban poor. Prior and during 1968, there was a significant shortage that happened because of bad typhoons and instances of pests affecting rice, such as tungro, over several years (Central Intelligence Agency, 1972 ,p. 7). This led to large importation of rice however still failed to address the food shortages (Evangelista, 2018). As such, Cabrera not just comments on the socio-financial state of the urban-poor of that time but also sheds light into the political situation of that time. While Cabrera does not directly blame or antagonize the government through this artwork, Cabrera still considers the government responsible for not completely addressing the food shortages. In this work, Cabrera attempts to criticize parents and older generations that use filial piety and family centricity to keep their children in poverty. This can be seen as debt owed by the older generation would eventually be taken up by the younger generation, therefore compounding their current financial debt along with the debt of their parents, and placing the next generation in even greater poverty as two generations of financial debt would be taken up by them; This is seen in the artwork through the grip of the father on his son as the father keeps his son in “darkness” - poverty. 

In this artwork, Cabrera doesn’t criticize the parents that force their family to starve and stay together. Rather, Cabrera criticizes the social dynamic and circumstances that forces these families to starve and stay in poverty. Overall, I believe that this artwork is still very relevant in our society, especially during a time where many urban-poor families are starving due to the lack of work and financial relief in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. This serves to remind everyone of people in severe circumstances that not only requires financial or social aid but to abolish a system that persists to keep them in darkness.

Artwork Details:

TITLE: The Family that Starves Together Stays Together

ARTIST: Benedicto Cabrera

MEDIUM: Pen and Ink of Paper

YEAR: 1968

PROVENANCE: Purchase Fund from Fernando Zóbel

Sources: 

Evangelista, Alex. “A Staple Problem? History of Rice Crisis in the Philippines.” Rappler, Rappler, 18 Dec. 2018, rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/history-rice-crisis-philippines-yearend-2018.

“National Artist.” BenCab Museum, 18 Apr. 2014, www.bencabmuseum.org/national-artist/.

“The Philippines' Rice Problem.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 1 Sept. 1972, www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/document/cia-rdp85t00875r001700040016-9.

[selfportraitsofcolor]

Benedicto Cabrera / BenCab, b. 1942 Self Portrait Philippines (1980) Etching [Source], [Source]

Wikipedia says:

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (born April 10, 1942), better known as "BenCab", is a Filipino painter and was awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2006. He has been noted as "arguably the best-selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists."

[notihatillo]

🎄El Hatillo 20 de diciembre del 2019.🎄

Buenos días, este resumen de noticias llega a ustedes gracias a @NotiHatillo /La Ceiba de Ramón Muchacho /Alcaldía de El Hatillo.

Titulares

Nuevo apagón afecto a diversas zonas del municipio desde tempranas horas de la mañana, sectores como Los Naranjos, La Unión y Oripoto estuvieron sin el servicio por al menos seis horas con varios intentos de recuperación del sistema, para el momento ya, esta restituido el suministro.

Con una gran afluencia de personas se realizo el día de ayer en el Anfiteatro de El Hatillo la actividad de recolección de juguetes para los niños. Con un concierto de artistas jóvenes se canjearon entradas por juguetes que serán entregados a niños de las comunidades más vulnerables del municipio.

@eliasayegh: Desde nuestro Anfiteatro @CorinaSmith_ nos acompaña a recolectar juguetes para los niños más desfavorecidos de #ElHatillo.

#SonrisasParaTodos

@eliasayegh: Hoy gracias a su concierto en el Anfiteatro de #ElHatillo se hizo una Gran Jornada de Recolección de Juguetes que se entregarán a los niños de las comunidades más vulnerables de nuestro municipio. #SonrisasParaTodos

@eliasayegh: Hoy @CorinaSmith_ @SoyRein @DOCTOR_CHA @KobiCantillo @OmarKoonze @DaniBarranco13 y @MabelYeahh nos ayudaron a recolectar juguetes para nuestras comunidades más desfavorecidas.

@eliasayegh: En #ElHatillo tienen siempre una mano amiga y las puertas abiertas para dibujar sonrisas para todos!

Gracias a @SoyRein @CorinaSmith_ @DanielaBarranco13 @DOCTOR_CHA @KobiCantillo @OmarKoonze por acompañarnos en hacer de nuestro municipio el espejo de la #VenezuelaPosible.

@ElHatillo: Nuestra Cuadrilla de Agua Potable se encuentra en la Avenida 1 del Cigarral realizando trabajos de reparación, se elimino manguera PEAD de 25 mm, se colocó copa reductora de 1" x 3/4", niple de 0,10 ML de 3/4", unión universal de 3/4", niple de 0,25 mm de 3/4"y codo 3/4 x 45°.

@ElHatillo: Nuestra Cuadrilla de Aguas Blancas se encuentra en la Calle La Colina solucionando avería en manguera pead d=32mm, se requieren dos adaptadores machos d=32 mm x 1", y una unión universal de=1".

Seguimos trabajando para hacer de El Hatillo un lugar mejor.

#CuidemosElHatillo

@ElHatillo: Por otro lado, nuestra Cuadrilla de Desmalezamiento y Poda continúa con sus trabajos de limpieza en la vía El Seminario.

Seguimos trabajando para hacer de El Hatillo el espejo de la Venezuela posible.

#CuidemosElHatillo #LoHacemosPosible

Segun usuarios de las redes sociales, alcalde @eliasayegh es considerado uno de los mejores burgomaestres que han pasado por el municipio el Hatillo.

El Nacional: Senado de EEUU aprobó la Ley Verdad para hacer frente a la crisis de Venezuela, impulsada por Bob Menéndez y Marco Rubio.

La Ley Verdad fortalece la respuesta de Estados Unidos a la creciente crisis humanitaria de Venezuela. También mantiene una presión estratégica sobre el régimen de Maduro y sus partidarios extranjeros; y avanza en el esfuerzo para abordar la gran cantidad de recursos robados al pueblo venezolano por los funcionarios del régimen.

Vecchio agradeció al Senado de EEUU por aprobar la ley Verdad para Venezuela.

El Pitazo: TSJ anula reforma del Reglamento Interno de la AN y pide investigar penalmente a diputados. La sentencia de la Sala Constitucional acusa a la AN de “asaltar el Estado de derecho” y rechaza que diputados a los que acusan de “abandonar sus funciones”, puedan participar de forma virtual.

TalCual: TSJ se valió de imprecisiones para declarar nula reforma del Reglamento de la AN.

El Universal: Avioneta con nueve pasajeros fue declarada en "fase de alerta" tras perder contacto. En la aeronave, que tenía como destino el aeropuerto metropolitano de Caracas en Charallave, viajaba el abogado y empresario Mariano Díaz Ramírez, supuestamente vinculado a la "banda de los enanos”.

De los nueve tripulantes, siete eran pasajeros quienes fueron identificados como Mariano Agustín Díaz Ramírez, Marielbys Contreras, Rafael Araujo, Daisy Colina, Humberto Vivanco, Ana María Fois, y Alejandro Enrique Suegart Bonnet, según una lista a la que tuvo acceso el periodista Carlos D' Hoy.

El Nacional: El TSJ en el exilio pidió a la AN designar un presidente provisional para 2020. Entre el Ejecutivo y la AN tiene que existir una división de poderes que permita dirigir el país y afianzar la lucha por el cambio, dijo Miguel Ángel Martín, presidente del TSJ en el exilio.

CatalunyaPress. Juan Guaidó: "Todos los caminos conducen al cese de Maduro antes de las elecciones".!!!!!

“Es hora de que Maduro se vaya”, las declaraciones de Pompeo tras el informe Bachelet.

EFE: El Gobierno de Maduro dice que dinero de EEUU a Guaidó busca expoliar Venezuela.

El País: Almagro niega que la estrategia de la OEA fuera sacar a Nicolás Maduro del poder este año.

Tarre Briceño solicitará al TIAR sancionar a cualquier diputado involucrado en corrupción .

“El régimen está sustituyendo pranes por terroristas islámicos en el Arco Minero”, alegó diputado De Grazia.

Américo De Grazia insta a Greta Thunberg a ayudar a visibilizar el ecocidio del Arco Minero.????

TalCual: Bertucci aseveró que la "mesita" trabaja para que hayan excarcelaciones antes del 24 de diciembre.

Infobae: Vladimir Padrino López violó la Constitución de Venezuela al solicitar una reforma ilegal de la Ley de la Fuerza Armada.

El Impulso: Declaran culpable a Pablo Iglesias por recibir dinero del régimen de Maduro. El secretario general de Podemos perdió un juicio tras confirmarse que recibió 272.325 dólares que le depositaron en una cuenta en el banco Euro Pacific del paraíso fiscal de Islas Granadinas.

El Pitazo: Acreedores del Grupo de Venezuela no se han reunido con representantes de Maduro.

Descifrado. Fedenaga: “Hace dos décadas el país producía 97% de la carne que consumía”.

Senadores de EEUU pidieron mayor presión para que Maduro libere a los “seis de Citgo”.

Usuarios en el Zulia denuncian “colas VIP” en bombas de gasolina.

“Sembrar terror es una demostración de miedo”, enfatizó Guaidó sobre el cierre Venepress.

SNTP catalogó como una nueva arbitrariedad el cierre de Venepress y Telecaribe. Allanamiento y cierre a Venepress deja sin empleo a más de 30 personas.

Al menos 91 homicidios han sido perpetrados en trochas fronterizas, en Ureña y San Antonio.

Encuentran abandonada embarcación de lujo con bandera venezolana en aguas hondureñas.

España concede un permiso humanitario a casi 40.000 venezolanos.

Cinco venezolanos detenidos por el asesinato de turista inglés en Argentina.

El 2019, año en que la pobreza siguió su alza en Sudamérica.

AFP: Equipo con Baltasar Garzón luchará contra orden de captura para Evo Morales.

Bolivia ya tiene nuevo Tribunal Supremo Electoral que convocará elecciones. La OEA puede garantizar elecciones libres en Bolivia, asegura Almagro.

Congreso chileno abre camino a proceso para nueva Constitución.

El FMI aprueba un tramo de 498,4 millones de dólares de crédito para Ecuador.

Torino Capital. Argentina: Proyecto de ley de emergencia económica presentado por Fernandez representa giro de 180 grados respecto a Macri. No obstante, los mercados valoran positivamente la voluntad del gobierno de no asumir un default abierto.

La Justicia argentina sobresee a Cristina Fernández en una causa por insolvencia fraudulenta.

La Cámara de Representantes de EE UU aprueba el tratado de libre comercio con México y Canadá.

El País. Trump: “No me siento sometido a un 'impeachment”.

El País: Putin defiende a Trump y carga contra los demócratas.

AFP: Joe Biden, ex vicepresidente de EEUU, lidera la carrera para las primarias del partido demócrata.

Aspirantes demócratas celebran el primer debate tras el "impeachment" a Trump.

China anuncia exenciones arancelarias para productos químicos y petroleros de EEUU.

Secretario de Energía de EEUU: El auge del petróleo de lutitas está lejos de terminar.

Tiroteo cerca de la sede del servicio de inteligencia de Moscú, Rusia, deja varias personas heridas.

La UE extiende las sanciones económicas contra Rusia por seis meses.

Decisión judicial europea le complica la investidura a Sánchez en España.

Inhabilitado el presidente catalán por desobedecer a la autoridad electoral.

EEUU sube de 18 a 21 años la edad legal para comprar tabaco y cigarrillos electrónicos.

Mercados de criptomonedas se preparan para efecto que reducirá producción de Bitcoins en 2020.

S&P:+0.45%; Dow:+0.49%; Nasdaq:+0.67%.

Bryant, Duncan y Garnett encabezan las nominaciones Clase 2020 al Salón de la Fama del baloncesto.

La Vinotinto cierra el año en el puesto 25 del ranking FIFA.

Miguel Cabrera fue el mejor primera base de la década, y José Altuve el mejor segunda base, según MLB. Adrián Beltré, Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke y Aroldis Chapman, entre otros, están incluidos en la lista.

AFP: Tecnología de reconocimiento facial presenta errores masivos, según estudio de EEUU.

EFE: La primera imagen de un agujero negro es distinguida como el "descubrimiento del año".

Efemérides de hoy

1334 - en Roma, el italiano Benedicto XII es elegido papa, como sucesor de Juan XXII.

1494 - los Reyes Católicos dictan el fuero para Las Palmas, capital del archipiélago canario.

1592 - en Madrid, una Real cédula de Felipe II declara ciudad a La Habana (Cuba).

1603 - llega a Chile el español Hernando Talavera Gallegos como teniente gobernador del reino de Chile; después sería "oidor" de la Real Audiencia y más tarde gobernador interino (por la muerte de Ribera).

1795 - en la actual República Dominicana, los restos de Cristóbal Colón son retirados de la catedral de Santo Domingo para trasladarlos a Cuba.

1803 - Francia entrega Luisiana a los Estados Unidos.

1860 - la Asamblea de Carolina del Sur declara disuelta su unión con los Estados Unidos, lo que originó la Guerra de Secesión.

1863 - en Santiago de Chile se conforma el Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios de Santiago, el que hoy es el más grande del país. Nace a raíz del gran incendio ocurrido el 8 de diciembre del mismo año, en la Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús.

1909 - la reivindicación del descubrimiento del Polo Norte por Frederick Cook es rechazada por una comisión de expertos.

1914 - en Bélgica se libra la batalla de Nieuport.

1941 - los japoneses desembarcan en Mindanao.

1943 - soldados estadounidenses desembarcan en las islas Gilbert.

1943 - despegaba del campo de aviación RAF Kimbolton (Inglaterra) el bombardero B-17, llamado Ye Olde Pub, de la United States Air Force (USAF) con la misión de bombardear una fábrica de aviones en Bremen (Alemania).

1955 - Después un referéndum, el gobierno británico declara la ciudad de Cardiff la capital del país de Gales.

1960 - la Biblioteca Nacional de España compra el códice del Cantar de mio Cid.

1966 - en Bangkok (Tailandia) culminan los V Juegos Asiáticos.

1969 - Anwar el-Sadat es nombrado vicepresidente de Egipto por Nasser.

1973 - en España, el presidente Luis Carrero Blanco, es asesinado con una bomba por la banda terrorista ETA.

1983 - en El Salvador, entra en vigencia la Constitución Política aprobada por la Asamblea Nacional Constituyente.

1988 - en Viena, representantes de 49 países firman la convención contra el narcotráfico.

1989 - el ejército de Estados Unidos invade Panamá, con el objetivo de deponer al dictador narcotraficante Manuel Antonio Noriega y establecer el gobierno electo de Guillermo Endara.

1992 - en el estadio "La Bombonera" (Buenos Aires), después de 11 años sin títulos, Boca Juniors empata 1 a 1 con San Martín de Tucumán y logra un galardón al conseguir el Apertura 1992.

1994 - en México, Jaime Serra Puche ―secretario de Hacienda y Crédito Público del gobierno del presidente Ernesto Zedillo― devalúa la moneda de 3.50 a 6.50 pesos por dólar. El expresidente Carlos Salinas de Gortari y Zedillo se culpan mutuamente de la mayor crisis económica que México haya tenido. Salinas le llamó el "Error de Diciembre".

1996 - Inician las transmisiones del canal Nickelodeon Latinoamérica.

2001 - En medio de una gran crisis económica, saqueos e incidentes con decenas de muertos, renuncia el presidente de Argentina Fernando de la Rúa.

2001 - En Buenos Aires, Argentina se construye el Puente de la mujer en Puerto Madero.

2003 - Tras 23 años como Presidente de la Generalidad de Cataluña, Jordi Pujol cede su cargo a Pasqual Maragall, que toma posesión como nuevo presidente de la Generalidad de Cataluña.

2006 - Grave accidente de aficionados del Real Club Recreativo de Huelva para ir a ver el encuentro Real Madrid - Real Club Recreativo de Huelva.

2011 - Mariano Rajoy Brey toma posesión como presidente del Gobierno de España.

La cita de hoy

La inteligencia consiste no sólo en el conocimiento, sino también en la destreza de aplicar los conocimientos en la práctica.

Aristóteles (384 AC-322 AC) Filósofo griego

[empireintheair]

– by ChiChai@Empire –

Being high up in mountains, the Cordillera region of the Philippines was inaccessible to Spanish and American imperialists. And, because the Cordillera region is less exposed to the country’s colonized past, Cordillera cultures continue to thrive today.

Despite being a major city, Baguio stays true to its Cordillera spirit.  For instance, Baguio’s Mayor Mauricio Domogan prioritizes the preservation of the region’s culture. He stated, “Our culture and heritage are the identity we have as people of the Cordillera region. With the influence of outside factors in these modern times, if we do not preserve our culture and heritage, these will be lost.”  

You can see the preservation efforts throughout Baguio. And it is beautiful.

Last month I wrote about how I fell in love with Baguio partly because of the food. This time, I’ll share with you the other side of Baguio I fell in love with: its art.

My friends Karen, Monica and I spent most day one roaming around Tam-Awan village and most of day two in the Ben Cab Museum. I believe these photos will explain why we dedicated that much time in only two places…

Tam-Awan Village

Clouds swirled around us as we explored Tam-Awan village.

It felt as though we were admiring an art gallery in a forest that floated in the sky. Tam-awan, after all, translates to vantage point.

Tam-awan Village in Pinsao Proper, Baguio City uniquely blends indigenous aesthetics and exquisite Cordilleran craftsmanship with an artist’s concept for a village adapting to Baguio setting.

– tam-awanvillage.com

In keeping with the spirit in which the village was originally conceived, Tam-awan Village has become a venue for art exhibits and workshops envisioned to foster a deeper understanding, respect and pride in the cultural heritage of the Cordillera people.

– tam-awanvillage.com

Tam-Awan Village, staying true to its Baguio setting, is steep. You climb one set of sharply angled stairs and you’re surrounded by a large array of artwork.

You continue to climb, you are suddenly immersed into a garden…

… then deep into a forest.

As we climbed higher and higher,  more and more variations of plants greeted us.

Visiting Tam-Awan village was — to simply put it– enchanting and…

… truly a vantage point.

BenCab Museum

Contemporary artist Benedicto Reyes Cabrera — aka BenCab– may not originally be from Baguio but this renowned Philippine artist chose it as his home and source of inspiration since the 1980’s. His museum is now a must-see destination for tourists.  The BenCab museum not only provides a home for BenCab’s artwork but also the artwork of indigenous peoples and up and coming contemporary artists today.

The exhibiting contemporary artists shared work that ranged from critiquing society to embracing human sexuality.

The galleries of indigenous peoples showed the BenCab visitors how beautiful and important it is to preserve these cultures.

BenCab’s own exhibits display his work from his 50 years active as an artist.

Through BenCab’s paintings and sculptures, you can see how he explores what it means to be Filipinx in its infinite complexity and diversity.

He even dove into the Filipinx-American dream and its harsh realities of American racism.

Art expands beyond the museum’s walls…

…and into its surrounding mountainsides.

The Farm & Garden below the museum showcase organic farm produce and the typical indigenous architecture of the Ifugao, Kalinga and Bontoc. A river meanders through the property, with cascading waterfalls on one end. The hill and mini forest across, which features an eco trail, is also the source of fresh spring water used in the museum and farm. The artist, assisted by native coworkers, grows seasonal vegetables, herbs, strawberries, sweet potatoes, coffee and ornamentals.

– bencabmuseum.org

Throughout Baguio

Although Baguio is a major city, the regions’ indigenous cultures continue to shine but in more modern ways.

For example, as I mentioned in the “Hella Sarap” post, a brewery’s draft beer handles were inspired by Cordillera-styled wood carvings:

Also,  the Farmer’s Daughter created a nipa hut for its restaurant.

You can find more indigenous-inspired craftsmanship roaming around the streets of Baguio on the city’s jeepneys. Jeepneys are already known to be the most colorful means of public transportation throughout the Philippines but never have I seen any as vibrant as the ones in Baguio.

Not only did some have the signature brightness, some also had paintings celebrating those who continue practicing the region’s traditions.

I was so inspired by Baguio’s art scene, I wanted to create my own piece.

Found some time to work on concepts inspired by these past couple weeks in the Philippines. Here's a peek at my brainstorm for a Baguio-inspired painting. • Like my last painting posted here, all colors used are made from my palette by @lifeafterbreakfastph

A post shared by ChiChai@Empire (@chichai.empire) on Dec 21, 2017 at 2:51pm PST

I noticed that while we drove up and down its mountains, sunflowers speckled yellow across the greenery. It turns out that wild sunflowers bloom after November’s storms. If you know me well, you’d know that sunflowers are my favorite. Thus, of course, these lovelies would be part of the piece I was brewing up.

I also wanted to capture how the homes loomed up and down and across the city.

And, lastly, I wanted to give a bit of a shout-out to BenCab. Never have I ever gotten so stunned and in awe by a painting until I encountered BenCab’s “Sabel.”

Using Sabel’s positioning and intermixing the city’s landscape, I created my interpretation of Baguio’s spirit:

You know how I fell in Baguio last month? This painting is the result of that love. @moniknik @withlovekarns and I happened to be there when the wild sunflowers were fully bloomed– and if you know me well, you'd know that sunflowers are my favorite 🌻

A post shared by ChiChai@Empire (@chichai.empire) on Jan 12, 2018 at 5:49pm PST

I can’t wait to share with you more of my travels and how my travels influenced my art. Up next on ChiChai’s travels: taking it back to Osaka and Kyoto. Stay tuned.

Hella Ganda: ChiChai’s Art Travel to Baguio - by ChiChai@Empire - Being high up in mountains, the Cordillera region of the Philippines was inaccessible to Spanish and American imperialists.

[transistoradio]

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (b.1942), Drapes (1976), mixed media on paper laid on cardboard, 34 x 33.5 cm. Via Sotheby’s.