Of lines and colors: Painters preserve the old, envision a new Manila Bay

MANILA, Philippines — Several painters gathered in Paranaque City on Thursday to show their work inspired by Manila Bay in support of its rehabilitation.

The paintings are a part of the opening of the Art For Manila Bay Rehabilitation Exhibit at Solaire Resort and Casino in Paranaque City attended by various award-winning artists as well as government officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Event organizer, Esther Garcia, who is also one of the painters who showed their work, said that they were inspired to remind Filipinos of the beauty of Manila Bay, which also serves as the home of the famous “Manila Bay sunset.”

“Hindi kasi natin alam kung ano ang magiging resulta ng rehabilitasyon. Pwede kasing a few years from now, magiging reclamation area na ito, maraming commercial area. Kaya para sa aming mga artist, gusto naming i-record para sa pagdating ng panahon, maging sariwa pa rin sa ating paningin at ala-ala ang Manila Bay,” Garcia said.

Garcia said it was not hard to convince other painters to join the event as they share one vision — preserving Manila Bay.

“Iisang passion lang. Gusto naming maging malinis ang kapaligiran. Kaya nung nakita namin, parang ordinary lang na ‘halika mag-painting tayo about Manila Bay,” Garcia said.

Aside from Garcia, other artists who showed their work include Bing Siochi, Augusto Santiago, Maxi Ramos, Fernando Sena, Vic Bachoco, Fritz Silorio, Jun Rocha, and Ely Tablizo.

Here are some of the paintings at the exhibit.

Manila Bay Sunset by Bing Siochi

“Magdaragat” (top) and “Dragon Boat Race” (bottom) by Augusto Santiago

“Something about Manila Bay” by Maxi V. Ramos

“Fresh Air para kay Lolo at Manila Bay” by Fernando Sena