The focus may be on the visual arts, but the 10th edition of ManilART Fair will unfold a slew of activities bringing in related arts like literature, music and dance. This accords with its theme, “Ang ARTe ng Pilipinas.” The fair will be held on Oct. 17 to 21 at SMX Convention Center in SM Aura, Taguig City, but the celebrations will be monthlong in keeping with the Museums and Galleries Month convened by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

This was announced at a press conference at the Taguig Satellite Office in SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City.

There will be talks and walking tours for students. One activity will bring together poet Vim Nadera, composer Alejandro Consolacion and visual artists led by Kublai Millan, Grandier Bella and Kenneth John Montegrande for an afternoon of interaction and performances.

Noted realist-portraitist Romulo Galicano, who spoke during the press launch, will hold a portrait-painting demo for those who aspire to be professional artists.

Romulo Galicano before his painting, “The Triumph of Life Over Death” —JILSON TIU

The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra, grand prize winners at an international music festival in Vienna, will perform their winning repertoire, which will be interpreted by student ballerinas of the Halili-Cruz School of Dance. The young dancers and musicians will then be sketched by professional artists, and the works will be auctioned.

The Andres Bonifacio Concert Choir, led by renowned composer Jerry Dadap, will serenade fairgoers with patriotic and love songs, and move through the different exhibition areas at SM Aura Mall until they reach the main exhibition hall for a mini-concert.

Rio Ambrosio, representing the galleries, said ManilART “is a venue not just for masters but for the newcomers as well. That’s the beauty of ManilART; it chooses the artists.”

“This is not just about galleries,” said Amy Loste, Gallery Nine owner. “We are here to support the infrastructure for Philippine art. We are here to support each other, government and private sector.”