Overseas Filipino Workers, an A-Z of Cultural Exports

P is for Pac Man (Manny Pacquiao), A-Z of Filipino Cultural Exports

B. 1978 /Manny Pacquiao is more than a boxer. For the Filipino people, Pacquiao is the unofficial patron saint of the Philippines. Fondly referred to as Pac Man by his fans, Pacquiao’s ‘rags to riches’ success is perfectly summarised after the 1980’s cult Japanese arcade game. Like the game, Manny Pacquiao has become an international social phenomenon, resulting in various spin off projects – within the sectors of entertainment, philanthropy and politics. This said, Manny Pacquiao is a great boxer – he is a boxer’s boxer, who many would argue as one of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time. Pacquiao is the first and only boxer in history to win ten world titles in eight different weight divisions. His last match alone, ‘Floyd Mayweather Vs Manny Pacquiao’ (May 2, 2015) captured the world’s attention, becoming the richest purse in the history of boxing, hitting the £300 million mark. In the lead up to what became a 5 year wait for ‘the match of the century’, Pacquio’s life story was made into a feature length documentary, from his humble beginnings, growing up in a slum in the Philippines to his fight to becoming one of the most loved and recognisable boxers in history. Narrated by personal friend and ambassador – Hollywood A-lister Liam Neeson, the story of ‘Manny’, is one of transcendence – in the hope that the people of the Philippines, like Manny Pacquiao will one day be saved.

The trailer to ‘Manny’ can be watched here: http://mannypacquiaomovie.com/

#OFW more than a country of good looking, half-wit, opportunistic terrorists

O is for Alfonso Ossorio, A-Z of Filipino Cultural Exports

Alfonso Ossorio / 1916-1990, Manila, Philippines

The artistic relationships among Jackson Pollock (1912–1956), Alfonso Ossorio (1916–1990), and Jean Dubuffet (1901–1985) strongly influenced the development of postwar art. Ossorio, the central figure in the trio, was an early champion of Pollock and the close friend of Dubuffet, whose radically anticultural Art Brut collection was prominently displayed at Ossorio’s Hamptons estate. Dubuffet’s admiration for Ossorio is evident in his 1951 essay on the artist, published here for the first time in English. Angels, Demons, and Savages reveals previously unrecognized technical and thematic affinities in the artists’ work, from Dubuffet’s “raw,” unconventional style to Ossorio’s use of Christian iconography and grotesque elements to Pollock’s emphasis on medium and gestural force.

Complete with two original essays and a conservation study, this groundbreaking catalogue shows how the three artists shaped the aesthetic on both sides of the Atlantic through their exchange of ideas and techniques.

Suggestion and text provided by artist /curator Father Jason Dy. 

#OFW more than a country of good looking, half-wit, opportunistic terrorists

N is for No Permanent Address (Mark Boulos), A-Z of Filipino Cultural Exports

B. 1975 / Mark Boulos is an American filmmaker, based in Holland & Switzerland. Straddling the space between artist moving image and documentary film, his practice investigates the relationship between ideas, ideology and materiality. Boulos’ work will often address the space it is exhibited in, resulting in multi-channel video works – thus widening his audience reach, from contemporary art galleries to single screen projections at international film festivals.

Mark Boulos is obviously not Filipino, however he has been awarded an honorary #OFW Cultural Export, for his contribution to the continued plight for Filipino independence in ‘No Permanent Address’ (2010). ‘No Permanent Address’ is a 23 minute, 3-channel HD video, which re-imagines the New People’s Army (NPA), as a socialist, freedom fighting group. Exiled in the jungle and branded by the US government and perpetuated by the mainstream press as a terrorist organisation, Boulos provides the NPA with a platform to intelligently discuss philosophical Marxist ideas, in the battle against capitalism and corruption. A clip can be viewed at Mark Boulos Vimeo page.

#OFW more than a country of good looking, half-wit, opportunistic terrorists

M is for David Medalla, A-Z of Filipino Cultural Exports

B. 1942 / Can someone please give David Medalla a museum worthy retrospective in London?

Arts Council Collection

Tate Collection

Iniva

Tate Shots 

Mousse Magazine 

Publications 

Enough said.

#OFW more than a country of good looking, half-wit, opportunistic terrorists

L is for Leslie De Chavez, A-Z of Filipino Cultural Exports

‘Manila-born Filipino artist Leslie de Chavez is a young artist who cautiously deals with sensitive topics including cultural imperialism, colonial history, contemporary life, politics and religion in his country.  He contemplates deeply about the significant function, influence and directivity of art in society’.

I had the pleasure of meeting the talented Leslie De Chavez, through another newly found Filipino friend, earlier this year. Leslie was in London for the day, gallery hopping with fellow artist/curator Father Jason Dy. United through our shared interests in art and internationalism, together (with the company of my husband, artist – Liam Scully) we shared food and laughter, at Pakistani curry house Tayabs . Whilst discussing world affairs and gossiping about art world players, I was struck by how open and honest the mood was, despite our cultural and geographic boundries. Both De Chavez and Father Jason Dy were awarded residencies of sorts at Liverpool Hope University. Father Jason Dy is currently an international MA student, studying curating, whilst De Chavez was awarded the fourth international artist residency in 2014, resulting in an exhibition at the university’s gallery, entitled ‘Unfolding Encounters’. 

‘Recognised for his distinguished talent and sensibility in painting, deChavez casts bitter metaphors on the society he lives in, suggesting a response to realities through reconstruction and reinvention of narratives, issues, icons and symbols of the times.

Leslie de Chavez has held several solo exhibitions in the Philippines, China, Korea, Singapore and Switzerland.  He has also participated in several notable exhibitions and art festivals, which include the Singapore Biennale 2013, 3rd Asian Art Biennale in Taiwan 2011, 3rd Nanjing Triennial in China 2008, 1st Pocheon Asia Biennale in South Korea 2007.

A two-time winner (2010 and 2014) of the Ateneo Art Awards for Visual Art, Leslie deChavez is also the director of the artist-run initiative Project Space Pilipnas, in Lucban, Quezon.  He is exclusively represented by Arario Gallery since 2006’.

#OFW more than a country of good looking, half-wit, opportunistic terrorists