The Anthem Philatelist

Sailing Beyond, 1983, Pencil sketch by Celso Pepito (using old signature)  Ph ilippines - A group of 12 Cebuano artists, collectively called Artistscebuex, successfully held an exhibit entitled Cebu: People, Places and Faces at the Galeri Dunia Seni Lukis, Jalan Pudu Ulu in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last October 26. The exhibit was heldthrough the initiatives of Artmalaysia, in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy. The Cebuano artists who traveled all the way to Kuala Lumpur to join the exhibit were: Gabriel Abellana, Cesar Castillo, Audie Estrellada, Benji Goyha, Maxcel Migallos, Celso Duazo Pepito, Fe Madrid Pepito, Billy Pomida, Jose Brillo Villaver, and Jose “Kimsoy” Yap Jr. Malaysia-based Cebuano artists Aida Uy Sze and Lillian Loseo Tan completed the lineup of exhibitors. The exhibit formally opened with the unveiling of the painting entitled “Seeking Oneness” by Haned Masjak from the National Art Gallery Malaysia. He was assisted by Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia, Hon. Vi...

CEBU is going to Malaysia through the colors of the rainbow. Twelve Cebuano artists, under the auspices of Artistscebuex , is bringing the festival city of Cebu to Malaysia through an exhibit dubbed “ Cebu: People, Places and Faces .”    Hosted by ArtMalaysia in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, the exhibit aims to strengthen the cultural and artistic linkages between the two countries through visual arts. The project was launched early in July with an art exhibit at the second level of Banilad Town Centre. Here are the 12 participating artists.    Celso Duazo Pepito , one of Cebu’s leading artists and the proponent of Artistscebuex, believes that visual artists have the capacity to help promote tourism by depicting scenes that would entice people to visit. “The exhibit will not just promote art but also Cebu,” he said. “It is a merger between art and tourism.” A philosopher by heart, he is known to inject his ideals on human values and integrit...

Gabriel Abellana comes from a family of artists. His father Dr. Ramon Alcoseba Abellana , is a sculptor, musician and a dentist. His uncle, Martino Abellana , is considered as one of the most influential artist in Cebu . He is a graduate of Fine Arts at the University of the Phillipines Cebu College .    As a lover of nature, Abellana is a plein air landscape artist and makes nature the subject of his art. He stated that nature is God's creation and painting it makes you closer to God; but never ceases to artistically evolve by experimenting in abstraction using nature as inspiration. He mounted several group exhibits locally and internationally. He is presently a member of the faculty in the University of San Carlos Fine Arts Department.    He also administers the Cebu Academy of Arts which regularly conducts Summer Art Workshops for children and adults. Abellana organizes the yearly Doña Modesta Gaisano Foundation Annual Painting Competition. He is a...