Highlight of Salcedo Auctions’ “The Well Appointed Life” auction on Sept 17,  2 p.m.,  at the Penthouse of 8 Rockwell is an extremely rare set of 12 watercolors by the 19th-century Philippine artist José Honorato Lozano.

 

Lozano (1821-1885) is known today as the visual chronicler and ethnographic painter par excellence of life in the Philippines in the second and third quarters of the 19th century. He is the father of the art form known as Letras y Figuras, mostly watercolors on Manila paper that depict views of quotidian Philippine life in the 19th century, wherein the artist ingeniously and meticulously painted what on close scrutiny appear as human figures and their environs (houses, flora, fauna, work tools, produce, etc.), but when seen from a distance spell out names or words.

 

Lozano’s meticulous depiction of “Tipos Filipinos” (Philippine types), costumes, customs, traditions, flora, fauna, buildings, houses, fruits, shells, tribes, uniforms (military, school, religious orders, militia), weapons, reptiles, sheet music, views, modes of land transportation, marine vessels, etc. are a treasure trove of visual information about the Philippines in the 19th century.

 

Bidding for the album starts at P5 million.

 

Visit salcedoauctions.com.

 

Short fiction prize

 

The Philippine Center for the International PEN (Poets & Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists) is now accepting entries to the 2016 F. Sionil José Young Writers Award, a competition for short fiction in English.

 

First prize is P50,000; second, P30,000; and third, P20,000.

 

Contest is open to any Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines, 30 years and younger, who need not be a member of the PEN.

 

Contestant should submit one unpublished short story written in English. Manuscripts must be limited to 20 pages, double space, 12-font type (Times New Roman preferably or any conservative font).

 

Cover page (one page only) must include the following information: name of contestant, date of birth, address, telephone number, e-mail, date of submission, title of short story  and a brief background of the author.

 

E-mail submission as attachment to [email protected]; or send four copies to Solidaridad Bookshop, 531 Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila (Call 2541068). Deadline is Oct. 8.

 

Castrillo Instagram contest extended

 

Deadline for Samsung and Yuchengco Museum’s “Culture Connect: Castrillo @ 50” Instagram contest has been extended to Sept. 30.

 

Contest commemorates the works of nationalist Filipino sculptor Eduardo Castrillo, builder of such monuments as “Binhi ng mga Bayani” at Rizal Park and “People Power” along Edsa.

 

Participant must post a photo of any of Castrillo’s public art monuments on Instagram, and explain what the structure means to him as a Filipino. Participants are enjoined to be expressive and creative. Tag @CastrilloCultureConnect and use #SamsungCultureConnect and #Castrillo50.

 

Up to three entries per person may be submitted under professional or open category. First-place winners get a Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and a Gear VR.

For list of monuments, visit www.eduardocastrillo.com; follow @CultureConnectCastrillo50 on Instagram.

 

 Rum art contest

 

Filipino premium drink Don Papa Rum is holding the 2nd Don Papa Rum Art Competition 2016.

 

Artists should create an artwork that encapsulates an original interpretation of the magical realist world of “Sugarlandia” based on the island of Negros, home to the country’s finest sugar canes that give Don Papa Rum its signature flavor; Papa Isio, who inspired the revolutionary brand; and the local rum.

 

Competition is open to all Filipino artists, 21 years and above, who have participated in an art exhibit at least once (as an individual or with a group) and/or represented by an art gallery in the Philippines.

 

Entries can be in the form of painting/drawing, photography, print-making and typography. Top 10 entries will be exhibited at the 2017 Art Fair Philippines.

 

Winner will receive an all-expense paid four-week Artistic Ambassadorship Sojourn in Florence, Italy, with round-trip airfare tickets, allowance and accommodations by Don Papa, including entrance passes to top museums in Florence to draw inspiration from the world’s best galleries in art and design.

 

Register online at artcompetition2016.typeform.com until Sept. 30.

Call 0915-688-8269; e-mail [email protected].

 

UP Town Center opens cinemas

 

UP Town Center recently opened its state-of-the-art cinemas featuring two Dolby digital theaters, and a cutting-edge 4DX cinema with comfortable recliner seats with Dolby Atmos Technology.

 

The 4DX cinema was developed in partnership with CJ 4DPlex, the world’s first 4D cinema company for feature films.

 

Each 4DXTM movie has added effects delivered through seats with bottom and back shakers, leg ticklers; water, fog, wind, lightning effects. Audiences will be amazed, and each movie will assuredly become a memorable one.

 

Vewers can reserve their seats and purchase their tickets in advance on www.sureseats.com.

 

Visit www.facebook.com/uptowncenterayalamalls.