Knowing when to follow the rules and when to break them, that’s the secret of taking good photographs. So says Gabriel Nivera, who at 21 already launched his first solo exhibit at the Ricco Renzo Caffe and Gallery. It’s balancing rules and one’s own creativity, because it’s good to have a perfect composition, “but sometimes capturing the human emotion is far more important than the positioning of the elements,” he relates.
Gabriel Nivera with his works
Running until Feb. 7, “Destinations” chronicles the travels of the artist around France, Scotland, Thailand, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the Philippines in 41 photographs. Here, rocks, tree trunks, boats, bridges, small alleys, tower tops and walls, which are but a passing scene for the ordinary folk, are elevated into an art form that resonates with significance. “I don’t think a photograph captures reality. It’s more than reality because you are trying to get reality plus emotion plus trying to get someone to react,” he shares. Such perception reflects Nivera’s preference for expressive photography than documentary. And it shows his patience in composing a perfect shot. “If it’s a person, I’ll snap; but if it’s a scene or a landscape, I’ll take my time. I like to walk around the area first, scout it out and find a good spot where I could come back, play with the lights and get the best composition,” he shares with an air of detail.
As a travel photographer (he admits that his parents have sponsored his trips, being travel and art enthusiasts themselves), Nivera has been to places around the world, always toting his gear: Nikon T70 and T200 SLRs and Canon G2 point-and-shoot. Ever the travel buff, when asked what his favorite destination is, he quips, “My favorite place is the last place I’ve visited.”
Encouraged by his dad to travel, his passion for travel photography started around four years ago, as a hobby while he was still in high school. Come September, Nivera is going to take up formal photography lessons in the United States. For now, he has no plans of pushing further with his law degree from the University of Nottingham. “It’s photography first for now, while I’m young and can dream a little,” he expresses. And that dream is to pursue his art “as far as I can. If successful, great! If not, it’s okay, I have something to fall back on.”
Ricco Renzo Caffe and Gallery is located at the G/F of the LRI Business Plaza, 210 N. Garcia St., Bel-Air II, Makati City. Tel. No. (02) 898-2542 to 43.
|
Agot Isidro goes back to basics
|
|
One of the most beautiful faces in Philippine television history is back with a retrospective concert that is sure to pack the Music Museum with throngs of fans on February 7 to 8. Singer, actress and TV host Agot Isidro-Sandejas comes full circle with “Agot Isidro: Back to Basics,” a concert chronicling her successes as an artist.
Directed by seasoned performer Eugene Villaluz, the concert will feature a more evolved and mature Agot in an intimate and relaxed setting. Special musical guests The CompanY and Holiday Records’ new “Neo Soul R&B Artist” Robbie Navarro will also join Agot in entertaining her legions of fans who have supported her 20-year showbiz career.
Agot’s popularity rose in the nineties when she was discovered by Johnny Manahan while on a backup singing stint for Sharon Cuneta. Agot was invited to be a co-host for the noontime show Sa Linggo nAPO Sila and received the moniker “Crush ng Bayan” because of her good looks, charm and talent. She has since rose into prominence with her albums with hit singles such as “Everyday,”
“Sa Isip Ko,” and “Beginning Today.”
On February 7 and 8, Agot once again takes to the stage doing what she does best—singing. Musical Director Victor Oria promises this concert to be a reflection of Agot’s graceful growth as an artist, and also her bright, and indeed very promising, future. “Agot Isidro: Back to Basics” is produced by United Multi-art Productions and Music Museum and presented by White House Beach Resort, Boracay.
It is also sponsored by Hotel Pontefino, Perry Ellis, Mc Cormick, Equal, Richel Mascarinas Digital Photography,Don Henricos, Zen Zest, Ever Bilena, Lyric Piano & Organs, www.agotisidro-sandejas.com, CCI Ventures Inc., Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Woman Today, Gourmet Everyday, Crossover 105.1, TM Magic 89.9 and RJFM100. Tickets at P800, 1,000 and 1,200 are available at the Music Museum ticket office. For ticket sales and reservations, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999. Tickets are also available at selected outlets of Music One, Robinsons Malls, and National Bookstore. You may also call the UMPI office at 412-3403.
|
Cultural Calendar
|
Exhibits
Abstract Art in Galleria Duemila
Abstract artists and University of the East School of Music and Fine Arts alumni Augusto “Gus” Albor, Edwin Coscolluela, Lao Lianben, Red Mansueto, and Roberto M.A. Robles pool their creative forces in Memoirs, which will be on view at Galleria Duemila from February 3 to 28. The exhibit features each artist’s style through diverse layers of influences and abstract images. Show runs until Feb. 28 at Galleria Duemila, 210 Loring St., Pasay City, Philippines. For inquiries, contact Galleria Duemila/Mimi Santos at (02)831-9990 or (02) 833-9815, email: duemila@mydestiny.net, or visit its website: www.galleriaduemila.com.
Music
Abdul Candao is featured at “MCO Arts Festival 2007”
The MCO Foundation and Equitable PCI Bank present Filipino tenor based in Austria, Abdul Candao with collaborating pianist Najib Ismail on Feb. 8 (Thursday), 7:30 p.m. at Equitable PCI Bank Tower I’s Francisco Santiago Hall in Makati City. This is the first concert of the Foundation’s annual “MCO Arts Festival”. Concert repertoire will include songs by Charles Ives, Schubert, Donizetti, Silos, and Cuenco. Abdul has given concerts in Austria, Canada England, France, Germany,Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, the U.S. and the Philippines. At present he is a faculty member of the Vienna Conservatory of Music. He has been the featured soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and the UST Symphony Orchestra. Tickets to this concert are available at Php300 each. Seats are on a first-come, first served basis. For inquiries and ticket reservations, please call the MCO Secretariat at (02) 878-3459 and 840-7000 ext. 2630.
UST Symphony Orchestra at the CCP Main Theater
The University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra will perform in an annual concert on Feb. 10 and 11 at 8 pm showcasing the best talents of the conservatory. Featured in the concert are 10 pianos and an orchestra together with the alumni of the UST Conservatory of Music. At the CCP Main Theater, 8 p.m. Call (02)832-1125.
Film
‘The Pretenders’ to be staged at CCP Little Theater
Rody Vera’s “The Pretenders” will be staged at the CCP Main Theater on Feb. 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17. The play, based on the novel of National Artist for Literature and Ramon Magsaysay awardee F. Sionil Jose, offers a glimpse of the lavish world of high society Manila in the 1960s. Ongoing until Feb. 24 with matinee and gala performances. Call CCP at (02)832-1125.
Italian Film Festival features “Ieri Oggi E domain”
at CCP Little Theater On Feb. 20, the second movie offering for the Italian Film Festival “Ieri Oggi Domani” (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) will be shown at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Little Theater. A comedy, the film tells stories of three different women and the men they attract. Directed by Vittorio De Sica, the movie first shown in 1964 features Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Aido Giuffre and Agostino Salvictti.
Ice Skating Melanj on Ice
Ice-skating variety shows take a serious turn as cartoon mascots like Mickey Mouse and Snow White take a backseat from their holiday gliding performances to make way for 28 Olympic skaters and acrobats from around the world to perform at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. From January 25 to February 11, Broadway meets Las Vegas in this National V Entertainment production by Juno Justiniano that promises pyrotechnical dance numbers and extraordinary stunts. Proceeds of ticket sales will be donated to the Philippine Skating Team. Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets, the Araneta Coliseum box office and all SM Customer Service Area. For inquiries please call (02)713-9907.
|
|
|
