One Bikolano artist and entrepreneur that I fervently support is Ana Janer Locsin, the woman behind Pitaka: Your Lifestyle Billfold. I met her for the first time at a restobar in Katipunan Avenue for a little meeting about her products and only then did I find out that we went to the same high school, she was with the same batch as my sister and that we share a lot of common friends.
I am immensely proud of her.
After seeing her products, I suggested she join the Global Pinoy Bazaar held annually at the Rockwell Tent by Yabang Pinoy advocates, another Filipino project I am very passionate about. I was joyous at the news that her products were sold out at the bazaar and that afterwards, she participated in more bazaars with similar success.
I have some of her pitakas and I use them wherever I go. They are sturdy, they are colorful, and they have really nice designs that show Filipino culture.
***
About Pitaka
PiTAKA prides itself with Pinoy ad hoc designs inspired by everyday Pinoy culture which is evident in its designs.
Description
Pitaka wallets are made from outdoor tarpaulin, with custom and pre-made designs. It measures approximately 3 x 5 inches where you can store personal i.d.’s, coins, and even a small mobile phone. Aside from its durable material, the PiTAKA Lifestyle prides itself with Pinoy quirky designs inspired by everyday Pinoy culture which is evident in its designs.
The PiTAKA wallets are also intended for corporate giveaways and event souvenirs as the wallets can be “custom-made”. For corporate giveaways, the PiTAKA team can have the company’s logo and other elements to be used for marketing promotions and/or corporate branding.
PiTAKA wallets are also open to both online resellers, individual representatives and physical stores. Costing for these group is slightly different.
It was 2010 and Amrei of Flush and the Toilets was celebrating her birthday at Route 196 when Diwa came on to play.
Diwa de Leon performs Epic Jam at Route 196
And that’s when I fell in love with his music. From then on I would take note of where his gigs are and try my best to make it.
I saw this post about the Karay-A Arts Festival and is really proud that we have such initiatives around the country. I wish there are more. The Philippines is so culturally-rich that we can never run out of music and arts festivals. And I am proud of people like Diwa de Leon who are so fervid about their craft that they go to great lengths to share it with the rest of the world. There isn’t a lot of money in being an artist, but there if there is love, passion and dedication, then there is also happiness and gratification.
When I think about it though, the first time I talked to Diwa was at clay animator Edwin Guillermo‘s house, via Yahoo Messenger. This was a long time ago and I remember how Edwin would always recommend Diwa for musical scoring when I had plays or other similar projects that might have a need for such.
Documentary about Diwa de Leon – The Film Scorer (Part 1 of 2)
Though Diwa recently made news after winning the Best Original Music Score citation for Raymund Red’s “Kamera Obscura” at the recently concluded Cinemalaya 2012 Awards, Diwa has done a lot of scoring in the past years. He won Best Music and Best Sound for Aureaus Solito’s Busong for Cinemalaya 2011 and Best Music for Ruelo Lozeondo’s Kolorete, a Cinema One Original in 2008. More
I saw this post from a dear friend of mine whom I am absolutely a fan of, Diwa de Leon, and got to know more about culture and the arts in the province of Antique. I must say I was overly ecstatic about the entire thing. So ecstatic that I am now thinking of making it to this festival. What’s not to love about it? It’s got arts and theater and ethnic music! I am soooo looking forward to this!
FEATURED ARTISTS AND EVENTS OF 6TH KARAY-A ARTS FESTIVAL,
October 19-21, San Jose, Antique
OCT 19
JEROME MALIC, Painting Workshop for Kids, 8-12 am
Wall Painting Competition @ the Alley
PETER SOLIS NERY, Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa, 6pm
DIWA DE LEON & THE HEGALONG PROJECT, 8pm
OCT 20
ETHNIC MUSIC WORKSHOP with Diwa De Leon, 8-12am
GUTIERREZ MANGANSAKAN, Limbunan, 6pm
MASKARA THEATER ENSEMBLE, USLS Bacolod, 8pm
OCT 21
B-BOYING WORKSHOP, 8-12am
KANLAON THEATER GUILD, Circulo, 4pm
TEATRO BURULAKAW, University of Antique-Tibiao, “Langkay kang Kabuhi” 6pm
LUWALAYBAY/closing ceremony featuring TEATRO SAN ANTONIO, HIRAYA THEATER COMPANY, PPSA PERFORMING ARTS GROUP, DLC LITTLE BALLERINAS
All performances and screenings at Ricarze St.; all workshops at Datu Lubay Center Dance Studio.
About
Datu Lubay Center, Inc. promotes culture and arts education as a tool for empowerment and social change. It is envisioned to be the leading center in arts education, production, promotion, and cultural research in Antique.
Mission
To promote culture and arts education as a tool for empowerment and social change. It is envisioned to be the leading center in arts education, production, promotion, and cultural research in Antique.
Company Overview
Cultural organization involved in arts education, museums, and events.
Products
Balay ni Datu Lubay Toys Museum
Arts & Dance Studio
Hiraya Theater Company
Cultural Caravan
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