New gallery opens; French envoy wows Bastille Day well-wishers with Tagalog welcome

Now Gallery opened its doors recently with a joint exhibit of works by Rock Drilon, Norberto “Lito” Carating and Nestor Olarte Vinluan, all artists who have been at the forefront of Philippine abstract expressionism and who were under the tutelage of the late José Joya at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts in the 1970s.

Doing the ceremonial ribbon-cutting were Doris Magsaysay Ho, Marivic Madrigal Vasquez, architect Ramon Antonio, interior designer Anton Mendoza and moi, dahlings.

Among the hot namedroppable artists present were Maxine and Micheline Syjuco, Manuel Ocampo, Jinky Lorenzo Reynoso and Gus Albor.

The gallery’s proprietor is Patrick Reyno, a Harvard magna cum laude graduate in AB Economics and Social Studies, and who recently finished a two-year course in Modern and Contemporary Art at Christie’s in London England.

Reyno is one our town’s most prominent art collectors. He said he’s proud to present Now as the newest home of Filipino contemporary art along the “gallery row” at Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati.

“Our space is designed to exhibit the breadth of mediums of art: from painting, sculpture, photography to video, installation, digital art, performance and new media,” said Reyno in his welcome remarks. “We favor Filipino artists with a global outlook. We will also take a look at fresh talent, and the next generation of artists, and those we believe have been overlooked, young and old.”

Among the artists lined up for the year 2011 are Anton del Castillo, Mideo Cruz, Peewee Roldan, Pow Martinez, Gutsy Tuason, Jinky Reynoso, Agnes Arellano, Nikki Luna, Zean Cabangis, Jonathan Olazo, Carlo Gabuco, Reg Yuson, Kiri Dalena, Ringo Bunoan, Carlo Calma, Tom Epperson and Gerry Tan.

Now Gallery said the exhibit has the support of the Bank of Singapore and Manila Jockey Club.

Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., at Unit M05 Mezzanine Floor Ecoplaza Buildings, 2305 Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati; tel. 5550683; fax 5550684; e-mail info@nowgallery.net; visit www.nowgallery.net.

Gay night at Seventh High

Seventh High has launched “Flash Thursdays,” a night devoted to the gay community, according to the owners.

The launch was an awesome exclusive get-together with famous UK DJ Andrew Doran playing his trademark house music. He played alongside hot names such as Kaskade, Bash Kelph, Pleasurekraft, Holly Bee and the Delice de Phunk Crew.

Après a week, a grand launch was hosted by Shahani Gania, stylist to the stars. It was a night fit for queens!

All dolled up in the most glamorous evening gowns, some of Manille’s top gay names in the fashion and society dared to take on their “alter personas,” dahlings.

Easily the centers of attention during that night were such guests as handsome Victor Basa, Cherrie Gil, Pam Quinones, Charlene Gonzales and Tuesday Vargas.

The queens of the night who wowed the audience with their poise and high slits were Jigs Mayuga, Jake Galvez, Niccolo Cosme and Dennis Torrepalma who won Best in Evening Gown.

Flash Thursdays celebrates the flashy, fun, fabulous gay community. Dashing male servers greet the guests, natch, while a mash-up of Top 40 music (mostly from the 1980s) are placed at Club Room.

Flash Thursdays is designed as a night for unwinding and socializing with that uniquely “bongga vibe,” said Seventh High’s PR manager Abbi Gabasa, palanggas.

The special weekly night has become the talk of the town, where boys don sequins and gals wear suits. It perfectly embodies unadulterated fun!

Seventh High is open to birthday and other celebrations. Call 0917-5852161 or e-mail theoffice@7thhigh.com.

Vive le France!

The French Embassy marked Fall of Bastille Day last July 14 at Sofitel Philippine Plaza’s Harbor Garden Tent.

French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota surprised everyone by delivering his welcome speech entirely in Tagalog, without any kodigo or written notes. He received thunderous applause and “bravos” from the 600 invitees.

The official ceremony was followed by a program called “French Future,” featuring musical numbers by Tricia Garcia and another singer, accompanied by the Jewelmer Jazz Band, complete with awesome live paintings, contemporary dance performances, dahlings.

A fashion show exhibited the French-inspired designs of Filipino designers Regine Dulay, Maco Custodio, Veejay Floresca and Lulu Tan Gan. An exhibit showed the artworks of expatriates Olivia d’Aboville and Delphine de Lorme, no less.

Finally there was a grand display of kaleidoscope fireworks outside Harbor Garden Tent. Then the tons of invitees went on a wild roll on the dance floor. So typical French n’est ces pas mon cheri.

The Fall of Bastille celebration has the support of Supply Oilfield Services, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Jewelmer, Tan Gan, Le Cellier and Asiatype.

Vive le France!