Experience Cebu City: ‘MASIDLAKON: Vibrant Patterns,’ an Art Display at Bintana Coffee House

FilipinoArtPH, an online art gallery dedicated to supporting Filipino artists, is collaborating with Bintana Coffee House, a local establishment known for its support of the arts, to present an art display titled “MASIDLAKON: Vibrant Patterns.”

Running until November 7, 2024, it features acrylic and watercolor paintings by local artists Diane Ortiz, Peter Bruce, Ana Fe Ruiz, and Pia Joy Bohol-Salar. Each of these artists has contributed their unique perspectives to the display, which truly reflects the vibrant art community in Cebu City. Their works, with their distinct styles and themes, are sure to captivate and inspire.

“MASIDLAKON: Vibrant Patterns” is more than just an art display. It’s a celebration of Cebu City’s vibrant culture, captured through the participating local artists’ vivid colors and modern abstract patterns. Their works offer a unique and personal connection to the city’s everyday life.

Sarah Javier, owner of Bintana Coffee House, believes that art is a powerful platform to express and reveal the differences in worldviews. The restaurant-café has been an integral part of art. They create a springboard for discussions about these perspectives, encouraging people to express their thoughts through art. They are also mindful of how impactful art is, so they take responsibility for regulating the art forms and messages as they represent an institution.

Apart from hosting art exhibitions, Bintana Coffee House also offers other initiatives, such as showcasing local singer-songwriters through gigs and expressing bayanihan for small businesses and creatives with their monthly flea market. “We aim to contribute to the vibrant local art scene in Cebu. We hope these efforts will provoke thought and lighten those seeking answers to life’s greatest questions.”

Diane Ortiz, one of the participating artists, says this opportunity to display her works at a well-known restaurant in Cebu is incredible. “This will be a dreamlike experience for me,” she says.

Even though art evolves in many ways today, she hopes Cebu and other towns will continue prioritizing arts and culture for the next generation.

FilipinoArtPH acknowledges Norrie Apostol, Rudy Aviles, and the people behind Cebu City Arts Month for inspiring the name MASIDLAKON, the art display’s title.

Before this art display, FilipinoArtPH collaborated with other local establishments to promote artists and expand their reach. These collaborations have not only provided a platform for local artists but also enriched the cultural landscape of the communities they were held in. The initial partnership was with Brewed Specialty Coffee, a third-wave coffee shop in Pasig City, showcasing a collection from Pasigueno artists titled “Sining at Kape.” This was followed by a partnership with JT’s Manukan Grille-BGC Branch for the exhibit “Colors and Flavors of Bacolod,” which depicted the origins of Bacolod’s inasal, highlighting the city’s cultural essence and the MassKara Festival. The most recent collaboration was with Work of Love Cafe in Pasig City, presenting “Enchanted Haven,” which transported viewers to a world of wonder and creativity through the displayed artworks.