LIFE ON CANVAS: ART AND ABOUT DADAI JOAQUIN

ALAGANG TANDANG - soft pastel on black Strathmore, 18x12

Art imitates life and every painting tells a story. It conveys a narrative - any event that happened in time or in a dream — in just one, static image.

In between success, controversies and tragedies, we find comfort in any work of art --- whether it reminds us of a happy memory or a defining moment wherein we surfaced with a braver heart and a soothed soul.

Over the last few years, the works of Lovella “Dadai” Joaquin, Davao-based mother and homemaker, has captured the hearts and attention of many. Self-taught and sustained by passion, her talent in art became a means of communicating life as she sees it. She is someone who we can call a modern and female version of Fernando Amorsolo.

BREAKTHROUGH - acrylic on canvas, 30x24

Several notable individuals in the society see Dadai's works as depictions of the simplicity of life sans the comforts of technology and luxury. Quoting Mr. Noel Saavedra, a busy Manila-based consultant for special projects for the Dr A.B. Moñozca Foundation and Parmon Group and a part-time project manager at IBM, “Dadai’s pieces are a refreshing reminder of how we can still be happy in spite of the mediocrity around us.”

How do artists create a story that provides a message or provokes emotions in that single frame?

“I’m an impressionist and am fascinated with portraying the beauty around me through my own eyes --- my experiences, my emotions, etc.,” explains Dadai. “I like painting landscapes and real-life scenes, especially people. I don’t really do social commentary. I prefer to portray feelings, emotions, and beauty.”

BUNOT - soft pastel on black Strathmore, 12x18

“I don’t wait for inspiration to strike before I paint. Light is what inspires me; how it strikes an object, how an object comes to life with it. I see art even in junk.”

Before she set her hands on the paint brush, she used to work as an event organizer and a Public Relations practitioner.

SUNFLOWERS - acrylic on canvas, 30x24

“I’ve been painting since I was a child but never had good material. Then I met some Lumad artists who painted with soil, and it made me realize that I can paint with any medium. I started painting with soil and got featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. I was invited to a group show in 2002 and that started my career as a painter. I moved on to other media after that.”

“I paint because it’s what I love to do, and it’s something I believe I am good at. I also love teaching art to children.”

NUDE WITH FERNS - soil on canvas, 4x6

“Like any other artist, I’ve developed and grown in my style. You can see it in my body of work. I’ve also added other media to my arsenal. Now, I work with acrylic, water color, pastel, oil, pen and ink, and even soil.”

What’s integral to the work of an artist?

“You may be surprised that the hardest part is not ‘getting inspired’ or waiting for the ‘canvas to speak to me’ or any other cliché’s like that. For me, the hardest part is simply preparing canvas. Stretching a canvas takes a lot of work. The painting part itself is the most fun and exciting.”

“Discipline is integral to my work. Like I said, I don’t wait for inspiration. If you’re a working artist, it’s something you do every day. I was inspired by the artist Malang who told me that he would wake up every day at 4 am to paint. It’s a discipline. Then he would have his daily devotions and talk to people.”

TANDANG NI TATANG - soft pastel on black Strathmore, 18x12

"I discipline myself to work daily. I consider it work and not a hobby, so I don’t wait for inspiration. I work at home, specifically in our kitchen. We live in a small apartment and I have to make do with what space is available. I literally paint where our lives move around as a family. My husband Jon works just a few feet away from me. Our daughter Laya comes in every once in a while to ask for something. Meal preparation often gets suspended because there is no space to move.”

 

What’s next for Dadai Joaquin?

“My dream project would probably be sculpting. It would be a difficult art form for me because I have arthritis.”

For someone who has discovered and grown through different media with no formal training, I’m sure nothing is impossible.

Visit www.facebook.com/dadaijoaquin to view more of Dadai Joaquin’s works.
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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.
A1, INdulge section, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 244, 26 February 2014.

 

WICKED IN MANILA

(Photo by Jeff Busby)

Wicked is this generation’s Les Miserables. It is nothing short of amazing. It’s one of those musical blockbusters from Broadway that’s phenomenal enough to run for another decade or two.

Now running on its 4^th week, the show is still packed to the rim. Clearly, the Wicked fever is still all over Manila, painting the town green and “Defying Gravity.” My boyfriend and I saw the play on Valentines weekend together with his family and some friends from theater. It didn’t come as a surprise to also see a number of familiar faces from Davao. Most of them came with the entire family, while some were with their Valentines date just like I did. Some came in Ozian colors. My boyfriend’s friend, theatre actress Peachy Atilano, came as Glinda in full pink attire plus flower hair accent. Peachy, in full Ozian regal, even got a snapshot with the lead stars before the show started.

Filipino theatre performer Peachy Atilano came as Glinda.
She was one of the lucky few who were able to get a photo with the the lead stars.
(Photo courtesy of Robbie Guevera)

Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy even popped in a scene. The play is based on the best-selling novel by “revisionist” Gregory Maguire, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The plot goes around the life and times of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, from L. Frank Baum’s “Wizard of Oz.”  Elphaba, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other witch, Glinda, is beautiful, ambitious, popular, and “legally blonde,” to say the least. The story depicts how these unlikely friends grew up to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

Post valentines date

The touring cast for Wicked in Manila boasts of top theater performers from Australia and Nez Zealand, led by Jemma Ric and Suzie Mathers who play Elphaba and Glinda.  Of course being a Broadway spectacle, it wouldn’t be complete without a great ensemble which was highlighted in the musical number “Dancing through life.”

Waiting for the show to start

Glinda’s character is whimsical and she tickled everyone’s ears and smiles with her chirpy and quirky numbers. Elphaba’s snappy-one liners were hilarious just the same. Her makeover scene “Popular” with Glinda reminded me of Cher and Tai in the movie Clueless. One of the definitive highlights of the musical is the show-stopping number wherein Elphaba rides her broomstick and soars high above the stage, singing "Defying Gravity.”  The effects on the lighting and her vocal prowess whipped up emotions and brought in a thunder of applause from the audience.

(Photo by Jeff Busby)

It was spellbinding from start to finish. Witty, heart-warming and magical, it was a visual feast with spectacular costumes, technical wizardry, choreography and phenomenal and anthemic musical score that made the audience tap their feet, laugh, gawk and cry in marvel.

I believe what contributed to the success of the show is the chemistry of the two lead actresses who lived up to the story’s message of harmony amid differences. The grandeur of the design elements and stage wizardry on display guaranteed the best kind of entertainment. The big-belting tunes tugged every heartstring, with enough musical articulacy for LSS.

Yes, Wicked is still the hottest ticket in town. Show runs until March 9.

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, INdulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 239, 19 February 2014

MAGS CUE: HER PASSION FOR FASHION

 

A former commercial model, Mags Cue is the brains behind MAGS, one of the country’s most successful clothing brands. Originally from Cagayan de Oro, MAGS now boasts of twenty-one branches nationwide and has dressed countless of celebrities and influential ladies in the society.

 

This proud mom of three got her entrepreneurial roots from her family. Her parents had their own tailoring and dress shop which produced anything from uniform to couture dresses. “My family’s business actually sparked my interest in fashion,” explains Mags.

 

With her distinct features and fashion intuition, she was discovered by talent scouts in Manila who offered her roles in commercials and other TV appearances. Soon after that, she met and married, Oliver John Yu Cue, who manages several businesses in Cagayan de Oro.

 

“Honestly, it was only out of boredom that I began looking into business investments. My husband was out of the house for work most of the day and I had so much leisure time left at home. I wanted to make use of my time wisely and do something productive. I’ve contemplated on so many possibilities and reflected on what it is that really fascinates me. If I was going to open a business, it should be something that I can really enjoy for a long time --- something that embodies who I am as a person and what I love the most. That way, it won’t feel like work. So I decided to venture into fashion. In year 2004, I opened the first branch of MAGS in Cagayan de Oro.”

 

Aside from providing quality apparel and for women, Mags says customer relations is one of the main focus of her brand. “To us, we do not just sell clothes. We want to be part of every customer’s lifestyle.”

 

MAGS is also known for their series of fashion shows wherein they invite their loyal customers to walk the ramp and show off their personal style.

Mags Cue is definitely one beauty who has made her mark in the industry. Just last September, she was chosen as one of the 2013 Best Dressed Women of the Philippines, which is made up of a roster of women who have, as described by PCS Honorary Chairperson Imelda Cojuangco, “accomplished in their chosen passion yet remain humble; driven yet compassionate.”

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Story published on my newspaper column, Metro Mom.

A1, Indulge, Edge Davao, Vol. 6 Issue 234, 12 February 2014