Para Un Mundo Nuevo

On July 28, 2018 Zamboanga City celebrated its first Dia de Guardia Forestal or Day of the Forest Guards, a tribute for the heroes of the protected forest in the Pasonanca Natural Park. Situated at the north of the city proper, the protected area preserves a major water shed in the Peninsula that is home for biodiverse floral and fauna.

Me and my cousin, Wella, were commissioned to create a mural which will be painted on the spot during the celebration at Jardin Maria Clara. I created the initial concept digitally using Illustrator. It featured a forest scenery with lush plants and animals and at the center is a lettering of a quote in Chavacano language. It says "Entre cada dos Arboles tiene puerta para un Mundo Nuevo" which means "Between two trees is a door to a new world". I enhanced the concept art in Photoshop and came up with this:



The organizers eventually changed the quote and simply wanted it "Gracias Guardia Forestal" or "Thank You, Forest Guards". We didn't finish it on the day since the program is just half a day. We continued it home and took us about two weeks to finish since we only do it after work hours. The mural came out very nice and the colors came out nicely.




Special thanks to our moms and our handy man, Badong, for the help!



Like the illustration in my Deviant Art account here.

Perlas ng Silanganan

It has been so long since I shared my works in this blog. Recently, there was a call for submission for artworks for a conference and I was challenged to submit some of my recent works. During the past years, the only works I can call "art" is just a handful and those are commissioned artworks.

This digital illustration is titled "Perlas ng Silanganan" or "Pearl of the Orient" the moniker of our country, the Philippines. Situated at the Southeast of Asia, our archipelagic nation is clamped like a pearl which welcomes visitors from the Pacific and Western nations. This artwork depicts the lives of fishermen in a traditional boat called "vinta" with colorful sails. It represents the diverse cultures in the Philippines which includes Christians, Muslims and Lumad or the indigenous peoples.

(Click image for larger view)

The sea is abundant with aquatic life as Philippines is known for its biodiversity. The title is written in Baybayin, the ancient Tagalog script, which is pegged to be the national writing system of the country. Philippines is rich in cultural and natural heritage and diversity, and it is what I call my home.

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This artwork is originally commissioned by a home-grown restaurant as a huge mural which welcomed its visitors as they enter the place. I initially sketched a concept in paper and created the basic shapes in illustrator. Then, I used photoshop for to add shading, lighting, texture and other effects. Here are some photos of the actual mural in the restaurant.







Like it? Do like my Facebook page CSZ Doodle Art (facebook.com/CSZdoodles/) and in my DeviantArt account @resurrect97

Zamboanga Mural Painting Competition

Summer na Zamboanga is all about the youth, sports, dance, fashion, music and most specially, the arts! In 2016, the City Special Events team introduced the 1st Chalk Art Competition in line with the celebration of Dia de Ma'am Caling, the Birth Anniversary of Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat on April 26. The competition was successful but it rained right after the competition and the artworks faded after a few days. To preserve the artworks, we decided to change the format of the competition. Instead of chalk art, the teams will create a Mural artwork. When you say mural, what comes in mind is a concrete wall in the public. However, to make the art easier to carry around and display to various venues, we decided that the paintings will be in large framed canvas (4x8 feet). Fifteen teams registered and took the challenge and they have to create a huge painting for only three days. The theme is "I Love Zamboanga City."

Click on the photo for larger view

This competition is also a collaborative artwork. When all of their paintings are arranged side by side, a bigger picture of Zamboanga will appear. I was the one who designed the template and the team drew lots to determine which panel will be assigned to them. The contest proper was held at Jardin Maria Clara, Pasonanca starting April 24, and culminating in April 26 during the Dia de Maam Caling. So here are the 15 mural painting entries. Check out the paranorama view of all the artworks side by side.

Here are the winners of the 1st Mural Painting Competition:

1st Place


2nd Place

3rd Place.

Congratulations to all winners! Can't wait for next year!

Madre y Niño

This month, we celebrate Women's Month to give honour to all the women in our life. They may be our workmates, our friends, our teachers, our sisters or even our Mother. Women in general are the heart of the society. They provide compassion, love and care for us. This celebration also aims to campaign against violence to women and children and gender equality.

I created this artwork, "Madre y Niño", especially for our Mayor, Ma'am Beng, who asked me to make an artwork for her which she will give as gifts for her special visitors. This artwork maybe interpreted in different ways but the central message is the love and care of a mother to her child. Personally, I see this work in my relationship between me and my mama. She truly is a super mom to me who did everything to provide for us four siblings. She is the light that guides us which made us who we are today. And I am forever grateful that I have her in my life.



In my 2 years in public service, I see Ma'am Beng as our mother and our leader in this city. The Zamboangueños especially the children is her first priority. That's why she really made Build Back Better Zamboanga possible after the famous siege. In her three years as the mayor, we really felt the development in the city despite the struggles and difficulties.

This artwork is also an ode to the Zamboanga culture. The city's patroness is La Virgen del Pilar which was introduced to Zamboanga by the Spaniards during the construction of the Fort "Real Fuerza de San Jose". The city celebrates the "Fiesta Pilar" or Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in her honor during October. The image of La Virgen del Pilar depicts Mary with the child Jesus in her left arm who has a dove sitting on his left palm. I really like the symbolism of the dove. According to religious studies, the dove represents the Holy Spirit. Universally, it represents peace, which us Zamboangueños long for.

Happy Women's month to everyone!

79th Dia dela Ciudad de Zamboanga

79th Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga
Calendar of Activities

February 4, Thursday
12th National Dental Health Month

February 9, Tuesday
Dia de Sen. Roseller T. Lim

February 21, Sunday, 5PM
Zumba Corazon
Centro Pastoral Convention Center

February 24, Wednesday, 1PM
City-Wide Open Cheerdance Competition
Drum and Lyre Competition (High School Level)
Vitaliano Agan Coliseum

February 25, Thursday, 7PM
Achievers' Night
Centro Latino

February 26, Friday, 5:30AM
WMSU College of Law: PaLAWro 2016 Fun Run
CityMall Tetuan to WMSU

February 26, Friday, 3PM
Grand Civic-Military Parade
79th Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga Main Program
Fire Station to Paseo del Mar

February 26-28, Friday-Sunday
Zamboanga Open Invitational Bowling Tournament
Tebi and Sean Recreational Center

February 26, Friday, 6PM
Globe Alegria na Zamboanga
Paseo del Mar

February 28, Sunday, 1PM
Juicy Cologne Inter-school Dance Competition
WMSU Gymnasium

February 28, Sunday
100th Birth Anniversary of Mayor Cesar C. Climaco

February 29, Monday, 8AM
Speak Out Zamboanga Forum: 
5th Cesar Climaco Young Leaders Assembly
Centro Latino, Paseo del Mar

For updates, like the facebook page Zoom In: Zamboanga City or Zamboanga Hermosa Festival

Glunow

Before I end 2015 I wanted to create a personal art which is inspired by my experience in Manila during the Philippine Visual Art Festival #PVAF2015. I had a great time meeting artists from the different regions, learning from them and the masters of visual art in the country. My favorite experience is visiting Angono Rizal, the Art Capital of the Philippines, where we got to visit a street gallery, the house and studio of national Artist Carlos Francisco, and get to dine and talk with their local artists at the artisan restaurant / gallery of Nemi Miranda.

What struck me is their deep connection with their roots. Their history and culture inspired their works which made me learn a lot about their place and their people. I also learned during our conversations that art doesn't have to be a painting. We in the regions doesn't have that direct access to fine art materials but we have our own unique materials to work upon. This only validated me as an artist. I have always been intimidated by the works of these great artists and sometimes I feel less of an artist with my lack of art education and skills such as realistic drawing, painting and sculpture. But with my experience in PVAF, I appreciated my uniqueness and my identity as an artist.

I identify myself as a multimedia artists and for me, my best work involves technology such as Digital Art, Illustration, Graphic design and Animation. I am a Filipino, a Mindanaoan, a proud Zamboangueño. My home is a beautiful place, rich with a blend of different cultures and various historical and natural heritage. All of which can be a source of inspiration to create an artwork. It only takes your imagination and a medium to make a masterpiece.



For my last artwork of 2015, I went deeper to my roots and was inspired by the early inhabitants of Zamboanga, the Subanens. I googled for images and drew inspiration from their patterns and visual culture. About 2 years ago, I also had the chance to experience their culture first-hand during the boklug festival at Siocon when we were invited to produce a documentary for a mining company. The buklog is a tall structure made of wood constructed by the people in the community. It resembles a trampoline that produces a loud sound when the people jump together to make the wooden pole at the center touch the log on the ground. Its loud sound can be heard from miles away and people gather there for merry making.

My work focuses on an imaginary paradise inspired by the Subanen culture. A character discovers the post-apocalypitc land of Jambangan where flowers had bloomed once again. The seven rivers which flowed from the seven mountains nurture its fertile land. At the center is an abandoned temple or monument left by the community of native people. On top of the seven stones is the flag of the Subanen. The title "Glunow" which means green in Subanen language, represents the re-blossoming of the land.

If you like it and have a deviant Art account, fave it here. Also check out and like my facebook page CSZ Doodle Art. Have a prosperous 2016!

Pascua Na Zamboanga 2015

The City Government of Zamboanga presents Pascua na Zamboanga 2015. Every year, the city celebrates the yultide season with a lineup of fun-filled activities. The highlight of the Christmas Festival is the switching on of the City Hall as it transforms into a grand display of lights. This year the city is transformed into candyland, and the main attraction includes the City Hall as a gingerbread house, Plaza Pershing as a lollipop forest and Paseo del Mar with the giant ice cream cone Christmas Tree. All landmarks will be ceremonially switched on in December 1st, 5PM.



Every evening, chorale groups will be serenading us with Christmas carols at the City Hall lobby during the "Canciones de Pascua" from December 14 to 18, 7PM onwards. Shop until you drop at the Grand Christmas Bazaar at Paseo del Mar on December 6-12, and at the Grand 5-day Holiday Fiesta at City Mall Tetuan. It is also expected that the newest and biggest mall in Zamboanga, KCC Mall de Zamboanga, will be opening in December. Here's the poster for Pascua na Zamboanga 2015.