EREHWON CENTER FOR THE ARTS CITED FOR ART AND CULTURE PROMO-TION
Erehwon Center for the Arts (ECA), a member from the Philippines, was recently awarded a citation as outstanding institution in the promotion of art and culture.
The government of Quezon City gave Erehwon its 2018 Manuel L. Quezon GAWAD PARANGAL (Award of Honor) in recognition of Erehwon’s work in promoting art and culture as a “People’s Cultural Centre”. The GAWAD PARANGAL was bestowed in ceremonies commemorating Quezon City’s 79th Foundation Day on 12 Oct 2018 at the City’s Crowne Plaza Hotel ballroom. Erehwon is one of the nine institutions and 13 citizens cited for various achievements. GAWAD PARANGAL is the highest honour awarded by the City annually to individuals and institutions that contribute to the City’s advancement in various fields and endeavours.
(from left to right) Quezon City Vice-Mayor Joy G. Belmonte, Quezon City Counsilor Franz S. Pumaren, Erehwon Center for the Arts CEO / Chairman Rafael Rivera Benitez and Quezon City Honorable Mayor Herbert M. Bautista
Erehwon is situated in a predominantly residential community in Quezon City, the largest and most populous component with three million residents of the 17 cities and towns that comprise the Philippines’ National Capital Region.
The Centre is home to 12 artistic and cultural performing groups. It houses four art galleries, two ateliers, a professional dance studio, workshop room, music studio, a library, and other art and cultural facilities that are regularly used by visual artists, art and cultural performers and groups as venue for exhibitions and performances. Two of the galleries house permanent displays of Erehwon’s own collections. Admission to the public, particularly students, youth groups as well as senior citizens and visitors, is generally free of charge or at generously discounted or sponsored rates.
Erehwon’s regular programming includes the annual EREHWON Erehwon Fiesta, which is celebrated every 30th of August, coinciding with CEO/Chairman Rafael Rivera Benitez’ birthday. Erehwon Fiesta is that time of the year where Erehwon gathers its network of artists, partner institutions and friends for the celebration of the arts. This year’s roster of activities included hosting the members’ get-together of the Philippine Performing Arts Centers Consortium (PhilPACC), a project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), under the leadership of CCP’s VP and Artistic Director Chris Millado; book launching of the Erehwon Arts III, a coffee-table book documentation of Erehwon’s projects from the years 2014-2017, written by Laya Boquiren; Color your Life’s Project Bontoc Children’s Exhibition which also included a special exhibit of child visual artist Mika Ariana Benitez. The celebration also featured performances from Erehwon’s resident artists Metro Manila Concert Orchestra (MMCO), Erehwon Jazz Orchestra, and the Erehwon Dance Scholars.
Rafael Rivera Benitez with two of Erehwon’s resident artistic groups, the Erehwon Dance Schol-ars and the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra (MMCO)
In support of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA’s) declaration of February as the national arts month, Erehwon also holds annual National Arts Month celebration every February, where it opens its doors to artists who want to hold art exhibits at Erehwon Atelier. This year’s theme was Maranao Art Legacy and the exhibit featured the artworks of Marawi City artist Bai Jamila Tamano titled, Paninggalan o Ranao (Heritage of Lanao). The exhibit was curated by University of the Philippines Professor Santiago Albano Pilar, a well renowned art curator, historian, writer and connoisseur.
Erehwon also holds MEET THE ART MASTERS OUTREACH Meet The Art Masters Outreach, held in partnership with one of its residents artistic group, the Likhang Bata Creativity Center (LBCC), under the directorship of Bianca Denise Manlapaz. The programme offers free monthly art lecture and workshop, inclusive of art materials and supplies to 20 students from public schools within the community.
Every December, the festive season is punctuated with another of Erehwon’s annual celebration titled, Tugtog At Sayaw Sa Erehwon (Music and Dance at Erehwon). This is a cultural night featuring the performance of an international folk dance group courtesy of CCP’s Fiesta Folkloriada. In 2016, the featured dance group was the Bucheon Dance Company from South Korea; in 2017, the VIHR Folk Dance Ensemble from Russia; and for 2018, the RYU Dance Company from South Korea will be gracing the celebration.
Through these regular programmes, Erehwon Center for the Arts continues to dedicate its spaces to promoting and propagating arts and culture, in Quezon City, where it is rooted, and beyond, to truly live to its aspiration of becoming the People’s Art and Cultural Centre.
Click here to visit Erehwon Center for the Arts’ website.