THE TWO typhoons were not strong enough to prevent artists and art enthusiasts from gathering in Finale Art File on October 3 for the Ateneo Art Auction.

Themed “Bidding for Blue Chip Legacy and Dreams,” the auction is part of Ateneo’s sesquicentennial celebration. Proceeds from the auction were originally intended to raise money for the 500@150 scholarship fund.
However, because of the wreckage brought on by Typhoon Ondoy, part of the profit will be used to help Ateneans victimized by the flood.

“This is not just a social event, it is an ethical one,” said Leovino Garcia, Ph.D., Philosophy associate professor. Garcia is also the chairman of the Art Auction committee. “It’s not an art auction just to acquire but to help.”
The auction is a project under the Ateneo Alumni Association (AAA).

A stroke of luck
Those who attended the auction found out that the paintings were almost destroyed by the flood.

Eighty-five pieces for the auction were situated in a storage room near the creek in Barangay Loyola Heights. The pieces had to be moved to a higher location as the creek threatened to overflow.

“As luck would have it, the moment we evacuated the last art piece, water began to enter the room,” said Garcia. Some of the artworks were made by renowned artists such as Ang Kiukok, Arturo Luz, Benedicto Cabrera, and Malang.

Emerging artists also offered their work, including former Blue Eagle Jobe Nkemakolam who gave three pieces to the auction.
News of emerging typhoon Pepeng also threatened to cancel the event. Committee member and bidder Rico Gonzales said that the committee was worried about attendance because of Pepeng.

Garcia also said that university officials consulted with them to decide whether the event would still push through. “We didn’t want people to have the impression that we were being insensitive,” added Jill Campo, a committee member.

Ultimately, the committee decided to push through with the auction despite the storm warning. “If we didn’t continue, [the artists] could’ve taken the works back,” Gonzales said. He added that many of the components of the auction, such as the venue, were given for free.

“Art will always draw collectors out,” said Gonzales.

Centered on giving
Gonzales, who also bid on several artwork, said that the primary donors of the auction are the artists themselves. “Pricing here is a lot lower than what [the artists] could get outside… and they only really do that because it’s for a charitable cause,” he said.
During the bidding of one of the pieces, buyers were initially hesitant to raise the bid. A lady from the back of the room yelled, “It’s for charity!” and instantly, people started bidding higher.

For Gonzales, buying art pieces for a good cause makes it easier. “You feel less conscious about the cost,” he said.

“It’s not an art auction just to acquire but to help,” said Garcia.

By the end of the night, the total amount raised was P7.9-million. “Pieta” by Ang Kiukok bid for P920,000.

Filipinos and art
Apart from raising funds for scholars and Ondoy victims, the art auction also aimed to promote art not only in the university but also in the country.

“I strenuously support the objectives of the Ateneo,” said Australian artist Tony Twigg. He donated an oil, graphite, and wood construction painting, which had a final bid of P120,000. Twigg is an avid promoter of Filipino art in his country, said Garcia.

Garcia, who himself is a strong supporter of the arts said that it is also slowly being recognized as a wise investment in the country.

“[Support for the art in the Ateneo] could and should be stronger… It’s underappreciated,” said Gonzales. He added that the Ateneo has a long history of involvement in the arts.

“Even before the Fine Arts program was introduced, we were [already] producing great artists,” said Garcia.

The second time around
“This year’s auction is bigger because this time, we already know what to do,” said Campo. More people are also involved this year, from AAA members to Loyola Schools’ students.

Garcia even tapped his philosophy students to help out in creating the auction’s website. Three of his students, all juniors, designed and maintained the website. They also helped with the promotions.

One of them, Erika Valdez, said “There were times when we couldn’t deliver [what was expected of us] because of our other commitments, but Dr. Garcia was very patient about it.”

Writer and blogger Rick Olivares also helped with the promotions and website content.