Some art lovers say Metro Manila and other urban centers have lost touch with creation and creativity because of commercialization and high technology. To balance this extreme skepticism, an art enclave in Quezon City has launched several art tours in the region that makes art, history and culture a part of modern city life again.
Erehwon Center for the Arts in Old Balara was established in 2012 and has hosted exhibits and performances by both well-known and aspiring artists from the country’s cities and provinces. It said it “seeks to be the living hub and nerve center of the arts in the Philippines and further inspire the development and promotion of Philippine art.”
Its four-story building houses gallery spaces, a dance studio, a music hall, an outdoor stage, a conference hall and a rooftop for outdoor performances.
The tour, which was launched in 2016, caters to individuals or groups. Air-conditioned vans take local or foreign tourists to museums, heritage sites and landmarks, galleries and even artists’ studios. Whole-day, half-day and special tour packages are offered that cover transportation, entrance fees, lunch and snacks, a souvenir photo and tour guides.
Those who opt for whole-day packages can choose among 1. the National Museum and Intramuros tour, which includes Casa Manila, the San Agustin Church, Bahay Tsinoy and Fort Santiago; 2. the Manila and Intramuros tour, that covers the University of Santo Tomas Museum of Arts and Sciences, the Malacaan Museum and the Intramuros attractions listed above; and 3. the Rizal Province Art tour that visits the Blanco Art Museum, the Nemiranda Art House and Cafe, and the Pinto Art Museum.
The half-day Metro Culture tour stops at the Ayala and Yuchengco museums in Makati.
There are three special tours, all in the City of Manila. The first will drive tourists to the Malacaan Museum, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Metropolitan Museum. The second option will let them experience the Coconut Palace, the CCP and the Met Museum. The third package will admit them to the National Museum, the Met Museum and the Bangko Sentral Money Museum.
Interested parties may log on to www.erehwonarttours.com, www.erehwonartcenter.com. They may also call (02) 294-5286 or (02) 218-2618, or e-mail [email protected].