‘Kristo’ to tour Manila, Cebu

“Kristo Manila” celebrates its 10 years with a traveling exhibit and the premiere of yet another showcase of art in faith, “Kristo Niño” in Cebu.

The Manila preview is ongoing in Arte Pintura Gallery at The Address, Wack-Wack Road, Mandaluyong City. Afterwards, the exhibit will be brought to National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery in Intramuros, Manila on May 12 and to the Art Center of SM City Cebu on May 16.

Participating artists include Renato Andres, Raul Agner, Jojo Ballo, Arnel Borja, Frank Caña, Jef Carnay, Ryan Carreon, Salvador Ching, Salvador Convocar, Dansoy Coquilla, Eugenio Cubillo, Addie Cukingnan, Anna de Leon, Farley del Rosario, Camille Dela Rosa, Robert Deniega, Ferdinand Doctolero, Anthony Fermin, Nolie Flores, Shalimar Gonzaga, Rick Hernandez, Cathy Lasam, Dante Lerma, Margarita Lim, Josue Mangrobang, Lei Manto, Roel Obemio, Wilfredo Offemaria Jr., Noel Pama, Azor Pazcoguin, Jill Arwen Posadas, Tres Roman, Bin Samonte, Fernando Sena, Janelle Tang, Rex Tatlonghari and Pinggot Zulueta.

“Since 2005, the Artery Manila has been presenting the Kristo Manila Lenten exhibitions which offer viewers a venue, via the visual arts, for reflection and meditation in observance of the Holy Week in the hope that the event becomes an instrument that helps in the search for or rediscovery of God,” said Kristo Manila organizer Delan Lopez Robillos.

“The annual presentation inspired by the Passion of the Christ has imbibed further a consciousness of cultural heritage. The prominence of Christian iconography in Philippine culture signifies not only a richness in ecclesiastical art but also of traditions kept by the faithful.”

This year, the Augustinian Province of the Santo Niño de Cebu will commemorate three historical events: the 450th anniversary of “Kaplag” or the finding of the image of the Santo Niño de Cebu (1565-2015), the presence of the Augustinians in the Philippines (1565-2015), and the 50th anniversary of the elevation of the church that houses the Santo Nino to the rank of “Basilica Minore” (1965-2015).

The Minor Basilica of the Holy Child, commonly known as the Santo Niño Church, was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1941.

On Oct. 15, 2013, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook Tagbilaran, Bohol and was felt throughout the Visayas. It destroyed most of the Basilica’s belfry and façade. Although Santo Niño Church has already been opened to the public, restoration efforts are still ongoing.

In celebration of the abovementioned milestones, the Executive Committee of the 450th Anniversary of Kaplag and the National Committee on Art Galleries under the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage of the NCCA, with Artery Manila, is presenting “Art and Soul: 10 Years of Kristo Manila and the Kristo Niño in Cebu City,” to assist the restoration project of the Santo Niño Church.

The project is also supported by SM City Cebu, Arte Pintura Gallery, Artes Orientes, Canvas Gallery and Garden, Galerie Francesca, Gallery Nine, Kaida Contemporary and Renaissance Gallery.

For more details, contact Arte Pintura Gallery at 6310898 and The Artery Manila at arterymanila@gmail.com.