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About the exhibit

KALAYAAN in Full Color

The Philippine Embassy is pleased to mount "Kalayaan in full color: An Art Exhibition featuring Filipino Artists in The Netherlands” on 16 - 22 September 2022 at the Embassy’s Kalayaan Hall, in line with its initiative to highlight exceptional talents in the Filipino-Dutch community.

Open for public viewing at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague The Netherlands.

Address: Laan Copes van Cattenburch 125, 2585 EZ Den Haag

Open Saturday from 14.30-17.30, Monday-Thursday 14.30-17.30

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Thuis komen ( war inside my head )

When is actually the right time to settle? When is actually the time to not  feel homesick? This series of artworks represents you, me and your loved ones. Who misses home. I painted scenes that we disregarded when we were still living in the Philippines. Those simple scenes in the morning, afternoon, and the evening after dinner. 

This year marks my 10th year anniversary in The Netherlands, and I am happy to be invited by the embasssy to be part of this first ever art exhibit that represents Filipino art and culture. Together With Chelony, Victor and Marites we will let you love our culture and beauty of the Philippines.

ARTWORKS

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Playground

Acrylic on canvas

100 cm x 100cm

2022

Don’t you miss that? The after school scene, outside your house. Kids are excited on going home, mama is making merienda. Aah those laughter and giggles when they play bahay-bahayan, luksong tinik or piko.  Honestly did it irritate you sometimes, when you were disturbed during your afternoon nap? Or watching your favourite afternoon telenobela? Now it sounds like a music in the air.

Artist JVTotanes

€800

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Chalk

oil on canvas

60 cm x 80cm

2016-2022

This girl ignores the other kids on her side, playing bahay-bahayan. She prefers to draw on a piece of cardboard that was scattered outside. No iPad, nope just cardboard and a piece of chalk. I was wondering of all the things to draw, why a house?

Arist JVTotanes

€450

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Thuis komen

oil on canvas

60 cm x 80cm

2022

That morning routine. The sun just rose. Tiktilaok! At 6am they are already awake, sweeping their front yard. Kids are rushing to school. Manong taho is on its way to your doorstep. The pandesal that papa bought early in the morning to get the freshiest and warmest pandesal from the nearby grocery. Your neighbor is  cooking outside, tuyo and sinangag. The smoke from cooking  coming out the roof and you can smell it while sipping your first coffee from a small sachet of kopiko or Nescafe.

Artist JVTotanes

sold

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Mamang sorbertero

Acrylic on canvas

50 cm X 60 cm

2020

Before, when I worked in Manila, I knew all the places as long as there’s a jeepney to get there. I can always find my way home. So when I was in the Philippines for a family visit after 5 years not seeing them I went to a familiar pasikot sikot na lansangan ng maynila. Went to Intramuros, Fort Santiago, Libertad, Buendia, and then ended up in Baclaran. Then I suddenly lost my way. Too crowded, I can’t  see any jeep!  Did they changed the system here? So, I walked in a very hot tropical weather. Thankful there was a friendly sorbetero who helped me to find the station and of course sorbetes always makes me smile.

Artist JVTotanes

€ 450

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F. and G. Somewhere in Edsa

Acylic on canvas

53cm x 65cm

2020

I normally sketch outside If I have time. Waiting for someone or just simply when I love the place to sketch. While we were stuck in the traffic jam, I always wanted to sketch. But this Manila traffic madness is just not ideal for that. I get my head shake from all the stop and go. So, I decided to take a photograph and instead paint it at home.

Artist JVTotañes

€ 450

The embassy

Oil on canvas

60 cm x 80cm

2022

Dagje Pinas. When you just land here and decided to live here, what place makes you feel you are safe and home? When you go outside all you see are Dutch and for the first time you really like an immigrant. You feel secluded. But the first time you visit the embassy, you immediately feel at home. The smell, the decoration and the staff are all-filipinoes. You feel so good, after the appointment then you go straight to the Filipino restaurant nearby, to eat your lunch and  and the waiter will ask you if you want your left over for take-out and then you go straight to the toko to check what you can buy for your pantry. What’s in it the bag? LUCKYME pansit canton?

Artist JVTotañes

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Ati and Tarsier

Acrylic on a special tabac canvas

45 cm X 65 cm

2016

Artist JVTotañes

€ 450

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Badjao girl and her catch

Acrylic on a special tabac canvas

45 cm X 65 cm

2016

Artist JVTotañes

sold

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Pabili po, may toyo po ba kayo?

Acrylic on canvas

45 cm X 65 cm

2022

Artist JVTotañes

Commissioned

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