Shibari - The Way of the Rope

Some interesting show this November 21. The Penguin Gallery will present a photo and performance exhibit of Shibari - the art of Japanese rope tying, bondage to the western world. While the word bondage strongly suggests some rather sensual and perverted image to the ordinary viewer, to the Japanese, specially during the Samurai period, rope tying is used primarily to identify among others the rank and specific crime committed by the the person being tied. The way a person/prisoner is being tied gives a clue to that person's status and place in the military hierarchy among others. Of course you can trust the strong Japanese aesthetic sense to elevate even such mundane things such as tying into art.

Viewer discretion is advised This is not for the timid. We suggest an open mind to view the performance. Show wil start around 9:00 PM.

Baptism... Well Sort of.

Here is a video clip I stumbled in YouTube...
Penguin regulars Ronnie Lazaro, visual artist Dante Perez and one of Penguin's in house band Kadangyan in what looks like a baptism ceremony of some sort. Ronnie is acting (or is it acting) like a priest of some sort. I have to say I cannot help but simply share it. It's one of life's rare moments when you suddenly realized life is indeed one big performance art. ENJOY

Photography

This month of October (opening 23rd) the gallery will be presenting the work of free lance photojournalist Vicente Jaime (VJ) Villafranca.
VJ as he is known to friends and colleagues took up Photojournalism at the Ateneo University and worked as a free lance photography in various local publications.
This year he won the prestigious Ian Parry Award for Photojournalism. His entry consists of 12 black and white photos about gang life in the Baseco Compound in Tondo Manila. The area is notorious for it's gang wars, drugs and other unsavory reputation. It is not surprising though that this young man will at some point take up photography into the next level. Both his father and grandfather are also well known photographer during their time. It is refreshing to finally see some really serious and fresh images that is compelling and pricks one's consciousness about the harsh reality of urban life.
Shown here are some of my personal favorite from his entry.

Whoa ! This is Why I Loved RATH

Just got hold of Rage Against The Machine (RATM) Zach Dela Rocha and Tom Morella being stopped by cops at the Republican Convention doing an accapella version of their own song 'Bulls on Parade'. SUCK IT TO THEM!!!

Does ART Really Matter?

I have always avoided the temptation of turning this blog into a personal blog of some sort where I could rant and rave about anything, until recently. Keeping things and topics limited to the 'art of survival' of running a place devoted to showcasing art exhibits and live music performances.

But in these trying times, one begins to wonder what's the purpose of devoting a space, running it to cater to the 'hungry artists' of some sort and in the process possibly, even remotely get some compensation and turn the venture into a successful money making machine. Is the appreciation of the ARTS just for the elite few who have so much resources to burn?

No, I don't see it that way. People have forgotten that the great value of art, that it feeds the soul and the mind. It elevates the spirit more than any kind of food for that matter. The appreciation of ART is an all encompassing experience because above all, it is permanent and not just a fleeting sensation that any food will never be able to satisfy.

I searched and looked how in the past few months that I have taken over this (rundown) abode of art, a sacred sanctuary amidst the blaring sound of karaoke and videoke bars, and lately gambling houses and heard the same voice that tells me... yes ART is important and most specially in these trying times.

If it is that important, must it come with a price? Those who advocate for a 'free' art misses the whole point. The price that you 'pay' for ART is a simple token of appreciation and respect to the artist. Artists, like everybody else must be supported, and like everyone else, they need food and material support. This is also true to the establishment that supports them, whether they are big museums or just simple hole in the wall.

Thanks Man...

Here is an article written by Penguin regular/writer Igan d'Bayan. The article entitled "Ten Bright Lights in Beer City" enumerates the ten (10) best bars found in the metropolis. Included among the top 10 is your Penguin Gallery.

No I did not bribed him or offered something illegal/legal to the man. Basically it's all about having a good time, and finding cheap, good value place to hangout and have fun.








For some reason I can't seem to shake off my love for vinyl/LP's so we are bringing it back. Every Thursday starting August 7, 2008 at 9:00pm. Usual DJ's Mark Zero with Sgt. Vez with friends Matt the Little. Shake up that old closet and bring your LP's/vinyls every Thursday night. Have a cold beer

Saturday June 06, 2008

Well nothing much to say and post today, but this is how Saturday ended...
Ah well, hope this guy wakes up at least in the right side of his bed..Have a nice weekend!

Skaramouche and Coffee Island Break

June 5, 2008 It was supposed to be a slow and boring night, being Thursday. But guess what? Penguin as it is, you would not know what will happen right?

For starters we had the band Coffee Island Break giving us a dose of ska/reggae music. This was in preparation for the set of Skaramouche, a Swiss band (yup!) on tour of South East Asia, including the Philippines. The band happens to be just staying in a nearby hotel. It was their first night in Manila, Philippines . Fortunately for us locals and Penguin habitues we were probably their first close encounter with a Filipino audience . They will play in different venues and province outside of Manila, like Cebu and even as far as Cagayan De Oro in Mindanao. I also found out that they will also play at the Fete dela Musique on June 21, 2008. I have not heard any announcement yet about the details of this annual, match anticipated music fest. But who knows probably this year it is top secret?

Spreading the Gospel of (Cosmic) LOVE Thru FUNK

May 29th - We featured the band Cosmic Love and Dub Reggae GoodLeaf. Both bands are veterans of the gig circuit playing here at the gallery and at the Saguijo Bar in Makati. The 6 man Cosmic Love playedsa heavy dose of funkadelic with their interpretation of classic Stevie Wonder song 'Higher Ground' to modern rock composition of Kula Shaker.

Goodleaf played their mostly original dub/reggae inspired tunes from their latest CD release

The Smell of Hemp at the Gallery

Yes. We have Hemp in the Gallery.. Well not the smoking kind BUT yes they do a mean smoking set each they played at the gallery. This was taken from last Saturday, May 31 2008 set. First to play was the Makiling (without the Ensemble) with a fiery Celtic/Flamenco inspired playlist. Later Bunny and the rest of the Hemp guys did their set with a mix of reggae and dub music.

This got the audience dancing and screaming for more (beers??) or whatever. Including some odd Penguin regulars like Eghai Roxas, showing 'D muvs'
















Another 'hermit' pop out of nowhere that night, straight from the sugarland, visual artist, regular and now you see now you don't Nuni Alvarado....

For those who don't know, Mr. Alvarado's work can be found at the entrance of the gallery, right side leading to a soon to be opened craft and coffee shop.

Jazz is ALIVE and KICKING

Contrary to nay sayers and doomsday prediction, Jazz music is still ALIVE and hopefully packs a mean kick in the A&*. The new sound of Wahijuara, led by guitarist Junji Lerma and the rest of the guys gave an aural wall of sound (?) last May 30 at the gallery.
Wahijuara (meaning Soul Sauce) current line up includes: Francis de Veyra on bass, Arwin Gonzaga on drums/percussions and 'horny guys' (guys on the horns ie: trumpet and saxs) Richie Gonzaga and Anthony Morris


The group played their first and only set which was followed by Radio Active Sago Project. Early that day I read somewhere that the group was already disbanding. This prompted me to make a panic call to Junji for a confirmation. Only to find out it was just one of those nasty rumors. Ahhh

Weekend Characters

Guess who visited the gallery last Friday ? May 30... Dropping by to jam with Radio Active Sago's Lourd de Veyra. None other than guitar legend Noli Aurillo.

New Look.. but Still the Same Old Bar..

Finally..
After months of inactive and pure laziness on my part, I decided to 'ressurect' the old Rock Ola Cafe Blog and got the name of Penguin Gallery.
I have been planning to change the blog name to it's appropriate name which is really the Penguin Gallery in honor of the bar/gallery's original name.

What is Penguin Gallery/Cafe really all about?

For those who spent their adult years during the later part of the 80's and 90's, Penguin gallery/bar/cafe is one of the original and last hangout of bohemian life in Malate, Manila (Philippines). Through the years the face of Malate Manila has been transformed from a favorite hangout of artists, writers, etc poseurs to it's current state of videoke bars, and lately Korean bars of all size and shapes. Together with some old resto and bars, like Cafe Adriatico, Oarhouse and the Hobbit House (which moved to another area somewhere in Mabini) the Penguin Gallery help defined the local art scene in Manila.

This blog is all about the Penguin Gallery. Her ups and downs. Her door is still open to all. She is still the same and yet different. There is a constant change in being the same for the last 25+ years of existence. This blog is all about her story.