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Friday, March 29, 2024

A heART U Share art exhibit to help abandoned elderly

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Now on its second year, the UnionBank-hosted art exhibit aims to not only promote the extraordinary talent of Filipino artists, but also to raise funds for Kanlungan ni Maria, which now takes care of 22 elderly abandoned by relatives.

“Art is very important because it feeds the soul. Through this project, we are able to achieve three things – support our artist friends from Angono, help Kanlungan ni Maria, and promote the importance of creativity among UnionBankers,” said Edwin Bautista, president and chief operating officer of UnionBank.

FOR THE LOVE OF GRANDPARENTS. UnionBank stages ‘A heART U Share’ exhibit that features artwork inspired by grandparents. Lola Pina (seated) graced the opening, together with Fr. Nante Tolentino (leftmost), UnionBank Risk and Compliance Manager Kim Unidad (third from left) and President and COO Edwin Bautista (seventh from left)  

The guest of honor was Lola Pina, fondly known to many as “The Amazing Lola Pina” due to a popular YouTube video where she was seen sharing her many jokes. Despite wheelchair bound, the 87-year-old graced the event with a light and happy demeanor, thanking the UnionBankers as well as the artists for their help. Her speech concluded with an emotional rendition of Filipino classic “Saan Ka Man Naroroon”, followed by a string of jokes that made the guests laugh.

“We offer our sincerest thanks to the artists and to UnionBank. The proceeds will go a long way in supporting our foundation to continue helping the abandoned elderly who are now under our care,” Rev. Nante Tolentino, spiritual director of Kanlungan ni Maria, said in Filipino.

The common theme among the exhibited paintings was  that of relationships between mother and child, grandparents and grandchildren, and love through the years.

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For artist Dino Blanco, one of his favorite paintings is his Lambing ni Lola, in oil on canvas. “This shows the dynamics of a grandmother-grandson relationship. While the grandmother is working, selling food, the grandson is right beside her, naglalambing,” Blanco said.

Meanwhile, Jovito Andres chose to showcase one of his mother and child paintings, titled Mother’s Love, in pastel on canvas. “Mother and child is one of my favorite subjects to paint. The inspiration for these paintings come from my own childhood and my relationship with my own mother,” he said in Filipino.

As for Monserrat Muros, her favorite among her showcased paintings is a picture of a child praying, titled Panalangin, in oil on canvas. What makes the painting striking for her is that a child praying is a precious and priceless moment. Being able to watch a child pray, unbridled by negative thoughts, is one of the most pleasant subjects she was able to paint.

“A heART U Share is not simply an ordinary exhibit for its purpose is to help through art. We invited artists to showcase their God-given talent to us, and by buying their art, we also help an institution to generate funds for their daily operations. As UnionBankers, we live the value of Ubuntu – we engage the community because a person becomes human only when he belongs. And this is how we give back to the community,” said Kim Richard Unidad, UnionBank’s risk and compliance manager and organizer of the exhibit.

Other featured artists included Aaron Villamayor Bautista, Berny Supsupin, Charlie Val, Nani Reyes, Norberto “Ambhet” Lugtu, and Carlos “Totong” Francisco II.

Proceeds from the sold paintings will help support 22 elderly at Kanlungan ni Maria.

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