CAMPOS believes that arts is now collectively abused by organizations, associations, and competitions. That’s why artists struggle to improve their works.

Simply put, rust is any of various metallic coatings—especially oxides—that occur when iron combines with oxygen to form iron oxide on the process of corrosion. But recently, in the Pasilyo Guillermo Tolentino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, "rust" was given a whole new meaning in the exhibit dubbed, "Kalawang."

A group exhibition of three visual artists—Demosthenes Campos, Eugenio Cubillo II, and Jeffrey Soriano—Kalawang became an avenue where rust was used to symbolize the decaying foundation of people and the decomposing structures of the society. "The artworks represent the reaction, commentary, and response to the situation and condition of our society," explained Cubillo.

According to Soriano, their exhibit differs from others because it depicts a society represented through kalawang. "We primarily aim to expose the rusts of society," he said. For them, this is a very unusual subject because of its negative perception—which is a big risk compared to other artist’s statements. "We do not merely focus on the saleable masterpieces but a work more relevant to our present day situations."

Preparing for the exhibit since August, Campos shared that the most anxious part of the entire exhibit was the passing of a group proposal and creating the concept paper mainly because they had to adhere to the criteria of the CCP Visual Arts Unit that include the quality and maturity of artistic skills; innovativeness and contemporaneity of proposed exhibit; sensitive awareness of artist responsibility to the Philippine art and society; and consistency with CCP’s goals, scope and general program for the year.

Belonging to the group of emerging artists of the "reactionary genre," the trio was able to express the angst and critical stance on the truth of the times. Sixty-three artworks revealed the detrimental effects of political imbalance and social injustice that stem out from the process of modernization and the pressures of globalization in a Third World country. Tension, aggression, uncertainties, and conflicts—that are as corrosive as rust—were apparent in each piece of artwork.

There are countless thoughts that the human lips could not utter. However, there are countless ways to express these innermost thoughts, too. Some do it through writing. Some play instruments while others dance to various beats. But some use the might of imagination as well as their hands in creating images that would reveal their souls.

Using "Kalawang" as a theme, the artists—through their artwork—proved that art is not just a product of the artist’s strange imaginations, fashioned out of the chaos of his world and the torment of his soul but it can be a vivid representation of the continuous contradiction of human and his nature. They also showed that there could be gold in rust, too.

With 10 years of painting experience, Eugenio Cubillo II has been creating art works that represent truth and current condition of the present time. "I associated the formation of rust to the [present] condition of our society like peculiar habits of people, social imbalance and poverty na mahirap pigilin pero kayang baguhin."

Almost all of his 29 art pieces reflected the desperate circumstances of individuals going through denial or desperation. In his "Unemployed Series," various voices of contradictions, distress, and impulses are quite evident. Unlike his contemporaries, Cubillo doesn’t consider a specific artwork as his best work. "I only consider best work if I achieved my goal which is to communicate and if the viewer can relate and understand my visual language and statement with the hint of my title," he explained.

In today’s society, Cubillo considers the system and the people within the system as "kalawang." "I believe if we really want to change things, we have to start with ourselves." A Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Advertising student of the Philippine Women’s University, Cubillo advised young ones to learn the basic, practice drawing, and attend art exhibitions. "If you want to express your feelings, express it creatively."

Like water, Cubillo believes his art can wash away the lies brought by propaganda and can make a new paths based on truths. "Bilang isang artist, I believe that it is my obligation to depict what is reality in order to create awareness to the people."

Demosthenes Campos, a Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Advertising graduate from Technological University of the Philippines considers "rust" as the negative side of people’s lives. "It was associated to kalawang, because most of our works are related to metal with rust…this is also our expression of tension and aggression in the society," he explained.

Like oxygen, his "Mantsa" series reflect the non-permanency of reactions. All of his 25 paintings exhibited direct surface dynamism that produced corrosion or the layering of coloration and patterning reveals a complex of network of symbols. He considered "PIL AM LIFE"—which tackled colonial mentality—and "SI PEPE at ang PULITIKONG SUGAPA"—which depicted how innocent students were used for political ambitions—as his best works. He considered politics—in almost all aspects—as the kalawang in today’s society and this consternation over politicking is clearly represented in his works.

Campos used vulnerable materials that can provide the image of raw physicality as they transgress and struggle in uncertainties and conflicts before they finally transform. He also used worn-out objects that can be found almost anywhere and turn them into something virtually pleasing so as to conceal their notoriety.

Since 1996, Campos has been doing paintings for only a week or two for each art piece. For the young artists, he says: "When you want to express something, do it through painting."

The nine artworks of Jeffrey Soriano, a Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Advertising graduate of Far Eastern University, showed that the problems of society do not revolve around poverty alone. "[Today,] almost every negative aspect of our society [is kalawang]," he said. "But I want to emphasize the little things that could grow like a sea of rust such as simple tsismis or little stealing." His stand on the rightness and wrongness of things is quite comparable to the will of an iron or steel. Soriano’s dismay in gossip is vividly represented in "Chizmoza’s Satellite," while "Ang Alambre at si Kumpare," tackled adultery on the issue of sanitation and environment protection. Among his works, he considered "Bawal ang Patalim sa Langit" as his best because the painting literally and figuratively set the mood for the entire paintings he made. "It was the first work I finished for the exhibit and it triggered me to pursue other artworks pertinent to the subject matter."

As an artist, Soriano is glad that Filipinos perceive art as a portal to the world of the artist and as a way of communication not just mere imitation of nature. For young art students, he encouraged them to just continue what they really love to do. "It is just a matter of time until the fruit of your labor will be accepted by all," he ended.