Top actor, director, singer and sportsman Cesar Montano is passionate not only about acting in movies and television shows and singing (he is a certified recording artist) but also in plastic arts.
On April 27, he mounted his third solo exhibit which at the historic artisanal and pugon-style 77-year-old Kamuning Bakery Café. Montano is showcasing some 13 pieces from his collection of work with diverse subjects, mostly about life and nature.
Lily Y. Monteverde, one of the guests during the opening, immediately acquired one of the paintings, the price of which either the café owner, Wilson Lee Flores, or Cesar Montano didn’t disclose. But Mother Lily told members of the press that she paid Montano cold cash.
Montano’s first solo exhibit was at the Glass Wing of Ayala Museum in 2009, the second was held in California. He was also appointed commissioner of UNESCO in 2005, to serve as Philippine representative for culture and the arts. More importantly, he is also a customer of Kamuning Bakery Café on 43 Judge Jimenez St. corner K-lst Street, Kamuning in Quezon City,
Montano is hoping to mount another exhibit later this year at the Ayala Museum. He is also planning to commission writers to produce a coffee table book featuring his art.
“I have many plans regarding my paintings, and I hope with the help of some friends I’d be able to realize all of them,” he said.
The exhibit runs for another week at the bakery café. In case you are in the area, drop by, have coffee and pan de sal or pan de suelo while browsing a dozen and one of Montano’s paintings in pil or pastel.
Himig Handog 2016 winner
“Dalawang Letra,” an original Filipino love song composed by Davey Langit and interpreted by Itchyworms, was the grand winner at the Himig Handog Pinoy Pop (P-Pop) Love Songs 2016 at the Kia Theatre on April 24.
Langit, who took home P1 million, beat the other top 14 songs picked out from over 6,000 entries attracted by the biggest worldwide OPM songwriting competition.
“I’m elated. There are no words to describe how I feel. I did not expect this at all. I couldn’t have done it without the Itchyworms,” he said.
“This is the cream of the crop. All of the best songwriters are here. It’s more than a privilege that I’m standing here and I won,” added Langit.
Awarded as the 2nd Best Song was “Monumento,” composed by Jungee Marcelo and interpreted by Kyla and Kris Lawrence, while the 3rd Best Song was “Laban Pa” composed by David Dimaguila and interpreted by KZ with Jay-R.
The other winners include 4th Best Song “Tama Lang” composed by couple Agatha and Melvin Morallos and interpreted by Jolina Magdangal, and 5th Best Song “Parang Tayo Pero Hindi” composed by Marlon Barnuevo and interpreted by Angeline Quinto and Michael Pangilinan.
The composer of the 2nd Best Song received P500,000, while the composers of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Best Songs won P200,000, P150,000, and P100,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, “O Pag-ibig,” composed by Honlani Rabe and Jack Rufo and interpreted by teen stars Bailey May and Ylona Garcia, bagged the majority of the special awards, namely the MOR’s Choice Award, TFC Global Choice for Favorite Song, and Best Music Video (produced by MINT College). Bailey and Ylona were also voted Onemusic.ph’s Favorite Interpreters.
’s “Nyebe,” composed by Aries Sales, was given Star Music Listeners Choice Award.