On Dec. 19, the country’s top contemporary artists will auction off and exhibit their works for the benefit of typhoon Ondoy victims in cooperation with Gawad Kalinga and The Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee Foundation.
The event, Art 2 Heart, spearheaded by ABS-CBN news anchor Julius Babao, aims to raise P3 million for the building of a Gawad Kalinga Village in Sitio Amparo, Caloocan City. Last year, Julius and his artist friends raised P 2.5 million with Art 40, his birthday project that built 30 homes for 30 families in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, through Gawad Kalinga.
“When typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila, I got a text message from artist Geraldine Javier, asking how she could help typhoon victims,” Julius said. “She suggested that we hold an auction similar to what we did last year in Art 40 to raise funds to aid victims. After that conversation, I made calls to artists and collectors and the result was Art 2 Heart.”
Aside from Javier, artists Ang Kiukok, Ramon Orlina, Malang, Gabby Barredo, STAR Lifestyle sub-editor Igan d’Bayan, Winner Jumalon, Manny Garibay, Lynyrd Paras, Mark Andy Garcia, Mark Justiniani, Joy Mallari, Andres Barrioquinto, Luis Lorenzana, John Jaylo, Lirio Salvador, CJ Tañedo, Marina Cruz, Rodel Tapaya, Pam-Yan Santos, John Santos, Yasmin Sison, Mariano Ching, Jonathan Ching, Tatong Torres, Alex Roxas, Froilan Calayag, Roma Valles, Sandra Gfeller, Dina Gadia, Ronald Ventura, Tina Fernandez, Joe
Julius says, “We wanted to do a fundraising event that would help give typhoon victims permanent relocation. We don’t need Band-Aid solutions for problems like these. Most of the victims have gone back to their homes in danger areas because the government could not offer them relocation. What’s more sad is that the government allowed them to go back because of fear of losing votes in the coming elections.
“Gawad Kalinga offered us land in Sitio Amparo. If we can raise the money, then we can build 30 houses for 30 deserving families.”
Javier, Ventura, Tapaya, Barredo, Orlina and Jumalon are among the most sought-after artists in auctions abroad. Ventura and Javier’s paintings recently fetched millions of pesos during Christie’s last auction in Hong Kong.
“It’s really difficult to get their art pieces here,” says Julius. “With Art 2 Heart, local collectors will have a chance to own their paintings in the auction. The bonus here is that they’re not only getting the best painting, they’re also saving lives. Isn’t that a great way to spend money for Christmas?”
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Art 2 Heart will be held on Dec. 19 at the Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee Foundation, 4/F Ateneo Professional Schools in Rockwell, Makati. The event will start at 5 p.m. There will be a preview of the artworks at the venue on Dec. 18.