That was the initial idea behind “Flores Para Los Muertos,” a unique art collaboration between the Pinto Art Museum, Davies Paints and the city of Manila.
As the name implied, it was to be a floral offering for the departed, in the form of a unique mural on the A. Bonifacio wall of Manila’s North Cemetery, just in time for All Saints’ Day.
The design consisting of Philippine flowers and birds was created by Demetrio dela Cruz and Japs Antido. Dr. Joven Cuanang of Pinto made the call, and Ferdie Montemayor helped organize the effort.
As it turned out, only half of the 1-kilometer stretch of wall became available on Oct. 6, but twice the number of artists showed up, offering their skills pro bono in the spirit of bayanihan, some coming from as far away as Tarlac under their own steam to pitch in.
Among others we spotted were Jerson and Jaypee Samson, Peach de Jesus, Alex Aguilar, Jay Viriña, Dansoy Coquilla, Jim and Shana Orencio, Norlie Meimban, Pol Mesina and the Artipolo Group, and Romeo Lee.
“This is now an incredibly valuable wall,” says Joanne Viriña, marketing communications manager of Davies Paints. “We’re going to try our best to preserve it with a clear coat.”
“It’s priceless, if you look at the works of the artists involved in the galleries,” says former actor and now Rep. Yul Servo Nieto. “I hope our citizens will also learn to love this art.”
Hopefully, the local graffiti artists will also resist the urge to “collab.”
