Portrait of National Artist for Visual Arts Jose Tanig Joya

Bulacan is said to be the province that has produced the most number of National Artists like Amado Hernandez and Virgilio Almario for Literature, Francisco Santiago and Antonio Buenaventura for Music, Honorata de la Rama for theater, and Jose Joya for the visual arts.

With the launch of My City, My SM, My Art held recently at mall center atrium, SM City Marilao celebrated the life and work of the late National Artist Jose T. Joya, who pioneered abstractionism and paved the way for modernism in the Philippine Art scene.

Mall goers had the rare glimpse of the personal art collection of the National Artist and had the opportunity to discover Bulacan’s vibrant art scene. The event also featured the work of one of the most influential artists in the modern art movement in the Philippines, Angelito Antonio.

At the same time, the exhibit gathered together the works of Bulakeño visaual artists like Ebony Paguia- Hermogenes, Shell National Students Art Competition winners Rommel Sampana and Francis Eugene Andrade, Children’s book illustrator Jonathan Rañola, and sculptor Roen Capule. Focus Bulacan, the largest photography group in the province, was likewise featured during the exhibit.

A joint project of SM, The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, The Shell Companies of the Philippines and The Philippine Star with support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Centerstage productions, My City, My SM, My Art brings art and people together by showcasing the works of masters, modernists and millennials around the SM Supermalls. It is a celebration of Philippines visual arts-- painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and filmmaking.

Advocating art from all, the team works with communities to mount exhibits, workshops and contests in key cities around the Philippines.

The event were graced by National Artist’s sister, Atty. Josefa Joya- Baldovino and the master artist Angelito Antonio. 4th District Board Member Alex Castro, Candy Mundo from the Office of the Vice Governor, Marilao Tourism Head Ricky Manalo and Marilao Mayor Representative Federico Santos were also present during the event.

Guest enjoyed the program, which included an AVP presentation that featured Bulacan Artists’ amazing works which were exhibited in and round My Art Gallery, that was inspired by Luzon’s Bahay na Bato.

A special section was likewise devoted to the founder of Bulacan’s traditional Pastillas cutting art, Nanay Luz Ocampo. “My City, My SM, My Art” also conducted a “pabalat workshop” to preserve the unique dying art. Mary Dorothy Baguio from Pambayang Dalubhasaan ng Marilao won the top prize, for which she received 5,000 worth of SM Gift Certificates.

Highlight of the “My City, My SM, My Art” was a tribute to National Artist Jose Joya, who pioneered abstraction and imagined the worlds of possibilities beyond the confines of tradition. Joya, who was posthumously proclaimed as National Artist by President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo in May 26, 2003, was cited because “his art constitutes an important landmark in the development of Philippine modern art. His legacy is a large body of work of consistent excellence which has won the admiration of artists both in the local and the international scene”.

“My City, My SM, My Art” is a take-off from the previous “My City, My SM” campaign, which promotes tourism, and “My City, My SM, My Cuisine”, which highlights the regional culinary specialties and “My City, My SM, My Crafts”, a celebration of traditional art and modern Philippine design in cities where SM has Malls. “My City, My SM, My Art”’s next stop will be in SM City Pampanga.