Malolos, Bulacan, has been the venue of Salvador Ching’s “Kristo” exhibitions since 2001. He invited fellow artists to the exhibit which featured artworks serving as their reflections on the passion of Christ.
Inspired by the same devotional pledge, Delan Robillos of The Artery, a literary and visual-arts group based in Malate, organized in 2005 a similar Lenten art show in Manila. He invited Ching in “Sabachthani,” a highly lauded gathering of emergent and established visual artists.
Ching and Robillos have since joined forces and continued the tradition. Now popularly known as “Kristo Manila,” the annual Lenten offering has been an alternative venue for meditation and reflection in observance of or in preparation for the Holy Week.
The duo stresses that the yearly presentations would not be possible without the support of the participating artists, the sponsoring gallery, and the people who take time to view the exhibit.
Participating this year are Otep Ablay, Raul Agner, Leonard Aguinaldo, Hermes Alegre, Reynaldo “Conneth” Amido, Felix Amoncio, Fernando Antimano, Alan Antiqueño, Mark Arcamo, Ral Arogante, Rey Aurelio, Virgilio “Pandy” Aviado, Max Balatbat, Monnar Baldemor, Rogger Basco, Ronnie Bercero, Benjie Bisaya, Gerrico Blanco, Benjie Torrado Cabrera, Michael Cacnio, Henri Cainglet, Demosthenes Campos, Roen Capule, Venerando Cenizal, Florence Cinco, Salvador “Buddy” Ching, Voltaire “Volt” Contreras, Salvador “Buds” Convocar, Eugene Cubillo, Addie Cukingnan, Melvin Culaba, Jonathan Dangue, Thomas Daquioag, Anna de Leon, Boyet de Mesa, Farley del Rosario, Danny Rayos del Sol, Rolly dela Cruz, Fil dela Cruz, Janos dela Cruz, Camille dela Rosa, Giovanni dela Rosa, Ross Dionisio, Ferdinand Doctolero, Clarence Eduarte, Noell El Farol, Rolando Facultad, Egai Fernandez, Iana Forbes, Caloy Gabuco, Carla Gamalinda, Noy Gepte, Nards Gomez, Mark Louie Gonzales, Rudolf Gonzalez, Louie Ignacio, Joselito Jimenez, Jonathan Joven, Allan Herbert Jumaquio, Josef Laureano, Vincent Lavega, Dan Lerma, Marge Lim, Ronnie Lim, Juanito Luna, Chris Magbuhos, Maria Magdamit, Red Mansueto, Dian Masinsin, Norlie Meimban, Buhay Mendonza, Francisco Miranda, Francisco Nacion Jr., Nick Navarro, Carlito Ortega, Roel Obemio, Wilfredo Offemaria Jr., Rodel Omampo, Anthony Palo, Noel Pama, Danny Pangan, Edille Paras, Azor Pazcoguin, Sam Penaso, Al Perez, Jill Arwen Posadas, Marcelo Quezon, Gerald Rago, Jonathan Rañola, Omi Reyes, Gaudencio Romion, Vince Roque, Jinggoy Salcedo, Danny Santiago, Eman Santos, Roger Santos, Aner Sebastian, Fernando Sena, Janelle Tang, Marlon Tantoco, Rex Tatlonghari, Palma Tayona, Jilson Tiu, Jun Tuplano, Franklin Caña Valencia, Julmard Vicente, Jik Villanueva, Janice Young and Pinggot Zulueta.
This year’s title is “Aman,” a Hebrew word which means “believe” and is associated with faith.
Robillos cites the Pastoral Letter on the Year of Faith by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle:
“…the Year of Faith invites us to look closely at the contemporary world, its beauty and wounds. The continuity of the Church through the ages allows various forms of renewal” and that “…the contemporary world, especially the youth and the poor, expresses its search for God in ways that the Church must also discover.”
“We of Kristo Manila should take this opportunity to perhaps help in the search for or rediscovery of God,” Robillos says.
“Aman” is on view at The Art Center, Megamall, Mandaluyong City. The exhibit runs until March 24. For further details, call or text 0922-8223369.
