Project Hulmahan Art Exhibit at The Manila Hotel

 

Project Hulmahan is now on exhibit at the Grand Lobby of The Manila Hotel

Project Hulmahan will be on display at The Manila Hotel's Grand Lobby and Art Gallery from May 8 to May 20. The art exhibit includes sculptures, paintings, and mixed media pieces created with shoe molds by both established and rising artists who share a desire for assisting others via their art.

"We looked for volunteer artists by publicly posting on Facebook who were willing to paint or make any kind of art out of hulmahan [shoe molds] that are no longer being used because the pandemic hit the struggling shoe industry in Marikina, the Shoe Capital of the Philippines," Bernardo explains. Hundreds of artists from all across the Philippines responded positively to the appeal for volunteers. Rachy Cuna, creative consultant at The Manila Hotel, National Artists Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Kidlat Tahimik, sculptors Pete Jimenez and Jonathan Dangue, Julie Lluch-Dalena, and actor Dolly De Leon are among the artists whose works are on display in Project Hulmahan.

Zena Bernardo, a member of Ladies Who Launch (LWL) and one of the co-founders of Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya, created Project Hulmahan. Ms. Bernardo visited with shuttered shoe manufacturers in Marikina, and their group purchased about 500 pairs of shoe molds with the purpose of repurposing them into artworks to raise funding for community-based activities.

Pag-aalay by Rachy Cuna

"It is fitting for The Manila Hotel to collaborate with inspiring ladies, as the Grand Dame celebrates women, especially mothers, in the month of May," says Marvin Kim Tan, The Manila Hotel's Director of Sales & Marketing. Ladies Who Launch is a four-woman team led by Zena Bernardo (mother of Ana Patricia 'Patreng' of the renowned Maginhawa community pantry), Dolly De Leon, internationally recognized actress Judith Albano, and Jasmine Ong. They established the communal kitchen, which benefited many people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Palakpaak by Toym Imao

Epitome of Time by Nico Osma

The proceeds from the artworks will go to three organizations' advocacy efforts: Bayanihang Marikenyo at Marikenya for community kitchen and livelihood initiatives, The Community Kitchen Project for nationwide disaster relief, and a community-based art school for youth.

Colorful Journey by Roen Capule 

"I'm getting into the story of [Project] Hulmahan. We wish to restore dignity to the community; we see them as collaborators in our community-based projects rather than as beggars. We may not be popular, but we want to be open and honest. [Project] Hulmahan is about shaping a person as well as shaping a society. "The success of this project will be dependent on us working together and pooling resources to ensure that those in need have access to necessities during these difficult times," Bernardo says.

Project Hulmahan is on display at The Manila Hotel’s Grand Lobby and Art Gallery until May 20, 2023. Admission is free.

To culminate the fundraising endeavor, a grand auction will be held at Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel on May 21 from 6PM to 11PM. This is by invitation only.