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Filipino Artist Reuben Laurente Exhibits at Manila’s NCCA

Reuben Laurente art exhibition NCCA Manila. Music Press Asia

Not new to embarking on new challenges, Reuben, after reigniting his passion for painting – his other love, will stage his first solo exhibit. He is backed by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

“Pilipino Ako, Ito Ang Aking Lahi” a solo exhibition by Reuben Laurente is exhibited from April 06 – 30, 2023 at the NCCA Gallery.

Every once in a while you may hear Reuben Laurente’s voice as lead singer behind “Pakisabi Na Lang,” a classic credited to the country’s premier group The CompanY. The multi-awarded balladeer himself recalled being involved in 14 of the group’s numerous albums, as his storied past helped keep him afloat as a solo act.

The exhibition will be presenting Reuben’s laudable talent as a painter and a reflection of his patriotism.

The recently named “Ulirang Mandaleño Sa Larangan ng Sining at Kultura” (Most Outstanding Citizen of Mandaluyong in the fields of Arts and Culture) is the son of graphic artist Dominador Laurente. As a grader he won an on-the-spot painting contest, while in 1981 excelled in an NCR-wide Ati-Atihan painting contest at the Folk Arts Theater. He was voted vice president of art club Color Freaks while at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School.

Reuben graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design at the University of the Philippines, and then worked as a visual merchandiser for clothing company Giordano.

His early works were featured in two coffee table books, namely, “Kayumanggi (Biographies of Philippine Visual Artist)” and “Folk Influence on Modern Philippine Art,” both authored by Jane Stangle Apostol-Alvero and published by Piso Book Foundation.

Reuben’s works, mirroring his fascination for the rich culture and history of the Philippines, led him to the doors of the NCCA that approved his exhibition proposal.

All 44 masterpieces to be publicly showcased are the result of Reuben’s creative outburst while battling health crises – personal and global. He did paintings while recovering from a vocal condition a decade back. He did it aboard a cruise ship where he entertained passengers.

“I am an advocate of our rich cultural heritage and this is my own little way of showcasing how proud I am of where we come from,” said Reuben.

“I was channeling the negative into positive,” he noted, referring to how he addressed the lockdowns productively, creatively.

For the art enthusiasts, Reuben’s exhibit is neatly divided into four sections: Kwentong Bayan, Pagdiriwang, Ang Babaeng Pilipino, and Muebles.

The solo exhibition, to run from April 6 to 30, is called “Pilipino Ako, Ito Ang Aking Lahi (I Am A Filipino, This Is My Race). Reuben Laurente’s works will be held at the NCCA Gallery on the ground floor of the NCCA located at 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila.

Gallery hours are from 9 am to 6 pm, Mondays to Thursdays, and 9 am to 3 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

For inquiries on visits, please contact the NCCA Gallery team at gallery@ncca.gov.ph or call (+63 2) 8527 2192 loc. 309 during office hours. NCCA Gallery hours are from Mondays to Thursdays, 9:00am-6:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 9:00am-3:00pm.

An Artist Reception, the ribbon-cutting event, is scheduled on April 12, featuring cellist Kiko Llorin and his violinist-wife Corinna, with the artist himself expected to sing for the attendees. Far East Broadcasting Company’s Dan Andrew Cura will deliver a speech about Reuben’s exhibit.

For more information on the exhibitions at NCCA Gallery, click here.

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