In case you missed out on all the eclectic visual art at this year’s recent FPAC (Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture), or if you just want to know more about the artists featured, here is a listing of biographies, links and artwork of the artists that participated at the PAN pavilion this year. Artists of all different generations, backgrounds, perspectives, and styles exhibited and sold their work at this annual event.
I was amazed by the talent and the diversity of styles included: cartoon sketches, digital art, mixed media, baybayin (ancient Pilipino script), surrealism, realism, portraits, collage art, culture-based art, and screen printing. The best of each artistic genre was represented. In keeping with tradition, three interesting and improvised live murals were produced on community donated wooden panels, highlighting the consistent energy and creativity of the Pilipino American community that happens all year round.
Pia Banez
Pia recently graduated from UC Irvine (c/o 2009) with degrees in public health sciences and Asian American studies. She aspires towards a career in the medical field working in a hospital. Her artwork is featured in the first issue of Tayo Literary Magazine. She was introduced to painting in high school, but didn't really begin to develop a personal style until college. She likes to incorporate second-hand or reusable materials [newspaper, cardboard] because it adds to the character of the artwork.
To view more of her artwork, visit:
Rick Bergancia
Since childhood, I developed a strong interest and talent for art. I attended the University of Sto. Tomas College of Fine Arts majoring in the field of painting. Throughout the years, I have joined various art shows in the community, winning awards and receiving recognition for my art work. At present, I continue my love for art working at the Disneyland Theme Park working as a portrait artist. Aside from working as a portrait artist, I am also a very talented cake designer. I apply my fine arts skills to my cake designs creating very unique themes and 3-dimensional art work and was also recognized for participating in creating the World’s Largest Cookie in the Guinness Book of World Records. I truly enjoy and love art and plan to continue strengthening my skills making more artwork in the future.
Lorelei Rose Bingamon
Lorelei creates her “heARTwork” out of her desire to use the power of images to uplift and heal her community. She believes that art can be used as a form of community empowerment and is motivated to create not only for the purpose of self-healing, but to give back to her community. Using found images or photos, she reconstructs what is before her and pieces together something completely new and representative of her feelings at that present moment.
You can find more info about her work at
Christian Cabuay
Baybayin is a pre-Pilipino writing system that a few have made into art. I run Baybayin.com as a showcase for my artwork along with the Baybayin community as well as an education resource. I specialize in translation and brush work. I recently completed writing a manual about the script.
Rommel Dimacali
Rommel graduated from UC Irvine (c/o 2008) with a degree in biological sciences. He is currently working as a lab technician at a pharmaceutical company, and enjoys creating art on his free time. His work has been featured at the Tayo Literary Magazine launch party and at several events of Kababayan at UC Irvine such as their annual Hip Hop Cultural Showcase.
Words from Rommel on his art: I would describe my work as very simplistic in a way and fluid making the use of lots of curves lines. I try and utilize negative space which makes my pieces look simple but nice to look at I think. It usually has a hint of Asian influences in most of my pieces. I began doing drawings, still do, but fell in love with pop/urban/street art. I like working different types of woods, just cause it brings in a different layer into the art work which I like.
Agapito Doronio III
My name is Agapito Doronio III and I was born in Los Angeles, California where I was raised on comic books, cartoons, graf art, and my grandma’s filipino cooking. Originally I was planning to be in the medical field just like my parents but my love for the arts overcame my parent’s wishes. I went to St. Genevieves High School where I developed a passion for Science, Music and Illustration. Attended Cal State University of Northridge for Biology and Art and then to Art Institute for Graphic Design. Combining my street art upbringing and my typographic philosophies, I have realized this is where I want to be. “Doing what I love. Loving what I do.” The characters I portray in my paintings are reflections of my EVERYDAY life, focusing on the simple pleasures in a complex world. The fresh smell of rain, a perverted joke, a beautiful smile, a thoughtful gesture. Simple but with a meaning. That’s how I feel and that’s what you see.
Alfie Ebojo (aka alfie numeric)
She became a modern day urban warrior—a hunter and gatherer. She now works as an artist aka your typical Jill-of-all-Trades: designer/illustrator/visual artist, writing, producer, performer (theater and live painting), teacher/lecturer, and organizer/activist while holding down a day job that allows her to daydream. Alfie’s style is best described as underground urban. Much of her influences come from the Los Angeles culture buzzing around her- the music in her Ipod, the Pilipino Family dynamics, graphic design, city life, the diverse multi- cultural population, 60’s-70’s cartoons, mythology, and Frida Kahlo. Alfie’s current series focuses on keeping the believe of love alive, in all its forms, levels and complexities.
The Bathala Project-David Lazaro
The Bathala Project is the title of the art and design direction of David Lazaro. Primarly utilizing the ancient script of Baybayin (Alibata) as a symbol of Pilpino heritage, David creates works that express his views as a second- generation Pilipino American while spreading cultural awareness.
Amy Lodevico
Born in West LA, Amy Lodevico grew up in Riverside. In 2006 she graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a BFA in Entertainment Arts/ Animation. After graduation, She moved to North Hollywood to work in the animation industry. Since then she has worked on THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, ASTROBOY and GATCHAMAN. She currently works at Cartoon Network on a project called FIREBREATHER. Aside from work, she is active in church, singing in choir and starting an arts ministry at Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood. On the side, she also make sock creatures (facebook fan page: Made By Ames Sock Creations).
Amy hopes she can inspire others through her artwork and that you don't have to be a nurse to afford to do what you want to do!
Raphael Maniago
Rafael was born in the Philippines and has been drawing since childhood. He attended the University of the East in Manila, where he studied Fine Arts and Commercial Advertisement. For 20 years he operated his own gallery in the Philippines and in 1989 he decided to come to the United States. His passion for learning continued as he studied at the Pasadena Art Center.
He has painted over 1000 portraits, many of which were of the Philippine leaders of commerce, industry and politics. For years he has been conducting workshops throughout California. He is a patient man with a keen eye for perfection and color. His elegant style can be seen in his works of art and the way his students follow his directions. There is a feeling of passion, and intense dedication in the vivid colors of his paintings. True to his style, he captures the inner life and physical likeness of the characters he portraits. True to his love of paintings, he continues to teach and paint outdoors day after day.
www.rafaelmaniago.com
He has painted over 1000 portraits, many of which were of the Philippine leaders of commerce, industry and politics. For years he has been conducting workshops throughout California. He is a patient man with a keen eye for perfection and color. His elegant style can be seen in his works of art and the way his students follow his directions. There is a feeling of passion, and intense dedication in the vivid colors of his paintings. True to his style, he captures the inner life and physical likeness of the characters he portraits. True to his love of paintings, he continues to teach and paint outdoors day after day.
www.rafaelmaniago.com
R.A. Mendoza
He is known as The P.o.e.t.i.c. Educator for His LA County Library Shows and teaching elementary school for LAUSD, is the Executive Producer for his documentary Mosquito Filipino “A Bite of Spiritual Healing.” The project depicts R.A.’s first ever trip to the Philippines with his late mother Connie in 2000 and how they became the peacemakers to their family members. The proceeds of the film will be donated to the Frank & Concepcion B. Mendoza Scholarship Fund in the Philippines.
Manila Ryce
Manila Ryce was born and raised in north Torrance, CA and has a BFA in Illustration with emphasis in Animation from Laguna College of Art and Design. He has worked for Congressman Kucinich, was the chief videographer for the 2008 Ralph Nader Campaign, and currently does work to advance the issue of Single-Payer Health Care. He believes that artists are morally obligated to address real issues with their exposure, and thus focuses on social, environmental, and political topics - often using humor as his lubricant. Manila's other hobbies include sleeping, resting, dozing, hibernating, crashing, passing out, nodding off, reposing, slumbering, snoozing, and the occasional nap. When writing a bio, he also enjoys referring to himself in the third person.
Arni Tecson
As a painter, I am obsessed with the illusory capability of rendered images and the surfaces that they are placed on. The surfaces that I paint on are as important to me as what I paint. I believe the materials can have a strong impact on the narrative of my paintings.
My most recent work has been using the images of skeletons, which is a change from my more familiar self-portraits. My work has always dealt with cultural symbols, and skeletons are a very strong cultural image in Los Angeles. Aside from images that derive from LA, I also use images from the Philippines. I am drawn to pop culture and therefore make art that is in tradition of “Pop.”
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I think this is one of my most favorite posts on BW. Thanks for showcasing!