Last weekend was a busy one as far as events were concerned with two of the most highly-anticipated annual events happening in the city. The Urban Roamer was not one to miss checking out those two events as these events are about some of the things that are close to this roamer’s heart. More about these events and the highlights after the break.
DPP9 Fiesta at Bonifacio High Street – March 21
The upscale shopping area that is the Bonifacio High Street at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig was flocked by photographers of different knowledge levels and fields of expertise for one of the most highly-anticipated photography events of the year, the annual DPP Fiesta which is hosted by arguably one of the most popular photography magazines in the country, the Digital Photographer Philippines (DPP) Magazine.
This year marks the 9th anniversary of the magazine, thus this year’s event being called the DPP9. As such, DPP Fiestas are a must-attend annual events for any photographer partly because of the many deals to check out for photography related equipment as well as to get a first look at some of the newest equipment on display, especially the cameras.
Each exhibitor has something on their sleeve that photographers check out that day, whether it’s a special sale, services like free camera cleaning, or a sponsored mini-event like an exhibition of some skill in which photographers get a chance to capture with their cameras or a free lesson courtesy of some of the country’s renowned photographers.
Speaking of events, DPP Fiestas are known for some highlight events that are very much highly anticipated by themselves. This year’s highlight would perhaps be the book launching by renowned photographer Jay Tablante on cosplay photography called “Geekology 2.0,” a book launch attended by cosplayers and actress Marian Rivera, who has been a favorite subject of Jay Tablante in his cosplay photos.
Kudos to the organizers of this event and being a first-timer in attending such an event, I shall be anticipating some bigger things to come in DPP10 next year.
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Art in the Park at Jaime C. Velasquez Park – March 22
The following day was another highly-anticipated annual event, this time catering to art-lovers. This was the Art in the Park at the Jaime C. Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati. In a way, it is the same set-up as it is in the Art Fair being held yearly at the Glorietta parking building, only that this one is (as the name implies) being held in a park so you get some dose of green landscape and an open atmosphere that lets you be in touch with nature while appreciating art. Which is nice except when it rains, something that actually happened that day.
Art in the Park though is more diverse in character as it showcases not only works promoted by the art galleries but also other artist groups in different parts of the country and less mainstream art schools, those artists who do not enjoy regular exposure in the art scene. It can be said thus that Art in the Park gives less mainstream artists better exposure to the public of their works in the hopes of being patronized or be purchased by some art aficionado.
From paintings to sculptures or some other art installation, Art in the Park showcases some of the best representations of Philippine contemporary art which can be seen throughout the park.
One surprising aspect of this event, at least for me, is the patronage of this event by renowned personalities with the likes of Kidlat Tahimik, Barbie Almalbis-Honasan, Lauren Dyogi, Ces Drilon, Julius Babao and wife Tintin Bersola-Babao. (who themselves are known art aficionados)
As with the DPP event, this also marks my first time to check out this event. I have to say I pretty much liked what I saw despite the weather that day. With that said, kudos to the organizers of Art in the Park. I can’t wait to find out what’s in store in next year’s Art in the Park.
More photos from Art in the Park 2015 can be found on the Urban Roamer’s Flickr album
