MANILA, Philippines — The Lopez Memorial Museum is mounting “About Face” starting Friday, June 2, an exhibit featuring works by contemporary artists xVRx, Renan Ortiz, Louie Talents, and Alvin Zafra.

These include works by Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Macario Vitalis, Fabian dela Rosa, Vicente Manansala, Juvenal Sanso, Fernando Amorsolo, Fernando Zobel, and the extensive Rizaliana holdings in light of the 150th birth commemoration of Dr. Jose Rizal.

Museum curatorial consultant Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez said that the artists were asked to consider images within the museum and library archive collections in taking on the proposed theme.

“The intention is to have contemporary artists look upon the practice of pictorially rendering personage as a means of circulating a persona or a public face, as opposed to a repressed alter ego or possibly a totally fictitious avatar,” added Ramirez.

Zafra did a portrait of President Emilio Aguinaldo that he found in the book “I Shot the Presidents” by Honesto Vitug. Ortiz, meanwhile, takes on Rizal and the Indio-Spanish dialectics in three multimedia installations cutting across the museum’s galleries. The exhibit will run until Aug. 27. For details, call 631-2417.

CCP Rizal 150th birthday bash set

In commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, various activities will be presented at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) from June 14-17.
The 13 episodes of CCP’s telemovie “Noli Me Tangere” by National Artist Eddie Romero will be shown at the CCP Dream Theater from June 14-17, complemented with lecture-discussions for teachers by prominent resource speakers.

"Mga Kwentong Rizal", a storytelling session for children will be held at the CCP Multi-Purpose Hall, while Rizal’s books and videos will be mounted at the CCP Library.

An exhibition of paintings on Rizal by J. Pasena will be on view at the Main Gallery (June 17-Aug. 21) and a mural exhibit by Pilipinas Street Plan to be shown at the 2nd floor hallway (June 17-July 31). Malou Jacob’s documentary “Si Jose at Si Andres” will be made available online for public viewing thru the CCP website beginning May 27 to June 30.

A special program entitled “J.P., ang gig ni Rizal” will be presented on June 17, 4 p.m. at the CCP Main Theater. The show will feature prominent artists and performing groups led by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Olivier Ochanine, Ballet Philippines’ Candice Adea and JM Cordero, Tanghalang Pilipino, Philippine High School for the Arts, and a 150-voice choir conducted by Jai Sabas Aracama. To be directed by Chris Millado, the performance will also include Rachelle Ann Go, Erik Santos, John Arcilla, Philippine All Stars, soprano Myra Mae Meneses, and Juana Change.

Meanwhile, 35 Filipino youth achievers will be honored as “Mga Makabagong Rizal: Pag-Asa ng Bayan.”

The project is being organized by the CCP in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), Philippine Center for Gifted Education (PCGE), Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Phils. (AMRSP) and ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. For details, call the CCP Outreach and Exchange Division at 832-1125 loc. 1708.

‘Gandang Seminar ’ with Ricky Reyes

Hair and beauty guru Ricky Reyes shares secrets and tricks of the trade with professional hairdressers in “Gandang Seminar,” a series of hands-on workshops on make-up, hairstyling, haircutting, coloring, and various hair treatments.

Reyes will conduct the One-on-One Make-up and Hairstyling seminar slated on May 30 to June 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Ricky Reyes Penthouse, 172, Aurora Blvd., San Juan City. Seminar fees are inclusive of demos, complete materials for the participants, hair show with students, gala hair show with Ricky Reyes, graduation, certificate of attendance, lunch, and merienda.

Also slated are seminars on Advance Haircutting (ladies) on July 11-13; Bridal Make-up and Hairstyling on Sept. 5-7; and Color My World (basic and advanced) on Oct. 24-26.

The Ricky Reyes Creative Team is also conducting seminars on Hair Rebonding on June 6-10; Hair Detox on Aug. 8-10; Facial Spa & Hair Spa on Oct 3-5; and Advanced Men’s Cut on Nov. 7-9.

Early reservations will get a five percent discount on seminar fees. For inquiries and reservations, contact Willie Victoriano at (02) 998-096.