„PINOY GALING“ Art Exhibit opens in Vienna

Vienna, Austria, 10 June 2019 - As part of highlighting and promoting the rich and
vibrant Philippine art and the skills of Filipino artists, especially the children, the VIC
Club Filipino in Vienna opened an art exhibit at the United Nations Vienna showcasing
the works of three Filipino artists together with four budding children artists.

Representative from the Philippine Embassy in Vienna, officers of VIC Club Filipino
together with the artists, opened the art exhibit entitled “Pinoy Galing at the UN
Cafeteria Hall on June 10, 2019.

The week-long exhibit is part of the VIC CLUB’s program to highlight and promote the
unique brand of Philippine Art. A number of guests and friends of the artists packed
the exhibition place where over 30 works of art by Ms. Imelda Papai, Gerry de Guzman,
Joey Africa, young artists Catharina Ramos, Celine and Angelo Climaco, Gabi
Ganado and Lukas Pressl were exhibited.

Richie Climaco, mother of 5 years old Celine and 3 years old Angelo - is very much
fascinated about her children’s inclination to painting, since nobody in the family has
this kind of talent.

„Celine started painting actually in the spring of 2018. She loves doing her art work
while singing or listening to intrumental music. Her theme is most of the time about
nature. Her younger brother Angelo, also gained interest on painting. He has done
some of the paintings for this exhibition,“ Richie explained.

Kim Navarro, member of the Board of VIC Club Filipino in Austria proudly presented
the artists and their respective works.

„What makes this art exhibit unique is the fact that we are presenting for the first time
the works of children living in Vienna. Their art works tell us about them and the
message they portray,“ Kim Navarro said.

Raymund Nader, Chairman of the Committee of the VIC Art Club expressed his
gratitude to the organizers of the art exhibit.

„This art exhibit is again a collaborative effort between us, the VIC Art Club and the
VIC Club Filipino. This remarkable art exhibition demonstrates the cooperation
between the various groups and the VIC Art Club. This effort enhances the relations
with various nations within the international community in arts and culture,“ Raymond
Nader said.
Picture: The Filipino community who attended the exhibit together with artists.

Works of Joey Africa, a Filipino artist based in Chicago, USA are also displayed at
the art exhibit. In his message, Joey is grateful to manifest love through art and
share it for the world to see.

Imelda Papai is very much privileged to present her art works, since it is her first time
to join such an exhibition.

„My art work primarily picture the interaction of colors. I am using the pouring
technique, where i create an organic free form painting with rich, vibrant swirls and
cells of color. It is a great way to smooth out unwanted texture, get faschinating
effects and rich colorful glazes,“ Papai explained.

Lorna Titgemeyer, Filipino leader in Austria is deeply amazed at Imelda’s magnificent

talent.

„I can’t get off my eyes from the paintings of Imelda Papai because of their vibrant
colors. She is amazing! I wonder what else can she show us in the future. She is
really a very talented and charismatic person,“ Lorna said.

Gerry de Guzman on the other hand is a realist painter. He uses charcoal, watercolor
and pastel. Gerry wants to impart to the young Filipino generations the richness of
Filipino culture and arts by painting Filipino motives.

„Gerry is one of our featured artist here at the Vienna International Center. We are
very proud that Gerry is exhibiting his art works. The great thing about him is that, he
has been painting through the years,“ Marizel Rojas, organizer of the art exhibit,
erlaborated.

Part of the VIC CLUB Filipino’s program include holding exhibits of the works of
overseas Filipinos, providing the community an avenue to showcase their art.

 Hector Pascua, ABS-CBN News, Austria