Reb Belleza sends confidential letters to ‘Nong FPJ

Reb Bellaza’s spectacular oil on canvas Heaven (2016) is a moving mirrorball with small facets that reflect the story - though he has not seen heaven, he knows it is there. Like a Venetian mosaic, the painting must be viewed as a whole and in all its parts to create a dialectic exposition; one does not make sense without the other.
This was one of the “letters” in Reb’s solo show that he dedicated to Fernando Poe Jr. The 15-piece collection of paintings, entitled Letters to My Godfather, was on view at The Artologist Gallery in San Juan City until July 16.
Reb actually painted letters to FPJ, but decided to keep them private by painting multicolored squares and circles over them with a flower or butterfly sneaking underneath. Even the symbolisms are entirely his own, and they appear as closely held sentiments unleashed in secret mode.
FPJ became Reb’s second father when his biological father, action star Bernard Belleza, was killed by an assassin’s bullet when he was just seven months old, leaving him and mom Divina Valencia alone. But his ‘Nong FPJ took the role faithfully, providing for him and guiding him until he passed on in 2004.
Asked if ‘Nong FPJ wanted him to be a visual artist, he answered, “Yes and no.” When he sent him to Santa Monica College to study Visual Communications, he asked to postpone his departure so as to wrap up the principal photography of Pamilya Banal. But he proceeded against his request.
But during his 55th birthday celebration at Café Ysabel, ‘Nong FPJ asked Reb to go up a private room. There he saw the Blue painting that his godfather had purchased from his Onomatopoeia exhibit at Musio Museum, alongside with his collection of Fernando Amorsolo paintings. Surprised to see the flattering juxtaposition, Reb shared, “I felt so loved.”
Thus, the “letters” and “offering” paintings of biomorphic forms in blazing colors are expressions of eternal love, gratitude and longing for ‘Nong FPJ. They turn into eloquent metaphors of his relationship with him that he took the creative liberty to keep between them.

ROMEO GUTIERREZ LEADS UST ALUMNI AWARDEES. Romeo Gutierrez, a graduate with a Degree in Fine Arts of the Pontifical University in 1968, leads the awardees for painting with Rosario Bitanga and Edgar Doctor.
Awarded by the Official University of Sto. Tomas Atelier Alumni Association Award, it is the first time the awards are conferred at the UST Alumni Building on July 30, 2016, 3 p.m. onwards.
Other awardees in advertising are Mario Parial, Raul Isidro, Anna Legaspi, Dopy Oplon, Edgar San Diego, Elmer Dumlao and Tito Alcala. And awardee in interior design is Maritess Magcasi.
                                 
CINESB, THE TOTAL STUDENT FILMFEST, OPENS. The 6th CineSB Independent Film Festival featuring over 100 short/feature films kicked off yesterday, July 18, 6 p.m. at the SDA Theater of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde evolves the university-based film festival into a fully integrated academic event on cinema.
Featuring Benildean Mavericks: Ganito Kami Ngayon!, six short films screened on opening night were Yes Mami by Carl Chavez, Ang ‘Di Masabi (What We Don’t Say) by Anya Zulueta, Sa Pagtungo It Adlaw (As the Sun Sets) by Romart Malapad Martesano, Luntiang Paraiso (Green Paradise) by Ogie Tiglao, Saan Man Ngunit Dito (Anywhere But Here) by Cheska Salangsang, and Babuyan (Depraved) by Martin Mayuga.
Rolling until July 29, official selections feature student and professional actors such aa Jomari Angeles (Ma’ Rosa) in Martin Mayuga’s Babuyan, Raymond Rinoza (Echorsis) and Aaron Rivera (Taklub) for Ven Ventura’s BLK-D, Cataleya Surio (Pitong Kabang Palay) and Karl Medina (Buwaya) In Mayuga’s Sud sa Ginhawaan.
For the screening schedules and details of other sections such as Pinoy Espesyals, The Forum, the Cinema Rehiyon@CineSB featuring the emerging regional cinema; Indie Ani; Twenty Quatro Competition screening; The Chair, Benilde theses films; and Harvest Moon, Benilde undergrad films, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1640678936254252/?notif_t=plan_user_joined&notif_id=1467554562596289./
Closing ceremonies on July 29 at 6 p.m.

END-OF-THE-MONTH SHOWS AT HARD ROCK CAFE. Hard Rock Café (HRC) closes July with an amazing line-up of performers. Joey Sanders & The Mailbox powers the house with power ballads and dance music on July 26 (Tuesday); sultry all-girl group Eye Candies is set to perform on July 27 (Wednesday); enjoy a super retro musical party with Kudos Love 80s on July 28 (Thursday); pop-rock band Part 3 performs on July 29 and 31 (Friday and Sunday); and Inner Voices takes the center stage back-to-back with Red Picasso on July 30 (Saturday). Hard rockers can also enjoy the best burgers from around the world as HRC recently launch its World Burger Tour that features the best local burgers from around the world. HRC’s World Burger Tour menu is available until the end of July 2016. All shows start at 9 p.m.