KUNST Filipino Filipinism - What Makes Art Filipino

Excerpts from the book of 2021 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas.

“In conferring the Banaag Award to the Kapatiran at Ugnayan ng Natatanging Sining at Talento Filipino (KUNST Filipino), the President of the Philippines recognizes its steadfast commitment to preserving the Filipino culture and tradition thru art while strongly supporting Filipinos in pursuing a career in the field of arts”.

Filipinism, according to Jose P. Laurel, is “the assertion of one’s national birthright with patriotism defined as love of country as a primary element”. Filipinism is a movement-the aesthetic and conceptualization of the artist’s ideas and the infusion of heart and soul in every piece on creates, conveying Filipino identity through the artworks-This What Makes Art Filipino.

The philosophy is the foundation upon which the Kapatiran at Ugnayan ng Natatanging Sining at Talento (KUNST Filipino) lies. KUNST Filipino is a group of artists that helps promote performing and visual artists by organizing local and international art exhibits which poster deeper understanding and appreciation of Filipino culture among foreign nationals and Filipino diaspora. The organization was founded by Virgilio G. Cuizon, a recipient of the 2004 Presidential Banaag Awardee, with the support of member of the Cultural Affairs of Batangas City, Mr. Abelardo Perez, Jr., the award -winning visual artist Aris Bagtas, and later on joined by the artistic director of Douglas Nierras Powerdance, Mr. Douglas Nierras; the manager of Philippine Madrigal Singers, Mr Alfred Samonte; the former Knights of Rizal Regional Commander for Europe, Sir Albert Arevalo-KGOR; the artistic director of A Cappella Manila, Prof. Rodel Bugarin and the owner of Macuha Art Gallery, Engr. Jason Macuha which serves members of the Board of Directors.

Since its foundation in 1992 in Batangas City and established in Germany in 2004, KUNST Filipino has been inspiring numerous Filipino artists to infuse their heart and soul into every art piece they create collectively showcasing a uniquely Filipino identity. In total, it has organized more than 50 international exhibitions in cooperation with Philippine Diplomatic posts and Filipino Associations in European countries such as Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Luxemburg, Austria, Spain as well as in Canada, and more than 70 local exhibitions with institutional partners in Batangas province, Metro-Manila and Davao. Two of its notable art exhibits was “Quo Vadis OFW?” held at the Press Club in Brussels, Belgium in 2015 which paid tributes to the efforts of and sacrifices of Filipino migrant workers worldwide by chronicling their stories in visual form. The other one is the Life of Dr. Jose Rizal in Europe which exhibited in the countries where Dr. Jose Rizal lived in 2014.

KUNST Filipino has also partnered with Philippine government entities to remain true to the commitment. It has crafted the trophy sculpture for the 2019 Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards organized by the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO). It is a limited -edition plaque inspired by migratory bird, which symbolizes journey, peace and prosperity. In 2017, the organization designed and acted as the special curator of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) art gallery. The gallery was established to showcase DAP’s collection of valuable artworks of national and contemporary artists and socio-cultural artifacts. It also aims to enrich appreciation of the Filipino culture and traditions and develop a stronger connection to and pride in their heritage among fIlipinos.

Over the last 9 years, KUNST Filipino has consistently initiated activities and various pursuits to cultivate Filipino artistic talents. These include the purchase of an old house in Cuizon Rd.,Sta. Rita Karsada, Batangas City in 2009, now called “Kunsthaus” a German word that loosely translates to “art house.” After the old house was renovated, it was transformed into a gallery museum that offers a maximum of 15 -day artistry residence with free board and lodging and a venue for free art training for Filipino students and artists.

KUNST Filipino has also spearheaded a total of 14 local and 1 international competitions and several free art workshops for the benefit of prison inmates, street children, students and aspiring artists. These include “Arts for the Soul”, a series of trauma art therapy sessions for the victims of Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas province in 2020, and a free lecture and art workshop in 2016 for the victims of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, among others.

While actively supporting Filipino artists in all aspects of their artistry in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world, KUNST Filipino also extends an unwavering helping hand to the less fortunate in times of catastrophe and calamities. The organization has partnered with World Vision Philippines, a global humanitarian organization devoted to improving the lives of children, their families and communities to overcome poverty. It has collaborated with SOS Children’s Village, private non-political, non-denominational organization that provides long term, family-based care for children in need. KUNST Filipino also donated Php 165K to “Kusina ng Kalinga” a project of Gawad Kalinga that fed 50 children for an entire school year and extended assistance in the relief efforts for the Siege of Marawi’s victims.

KUNST Filipino hones the skills of Filipino artists and students through the conduct of free art demonstrations, seminars and workshops. It promotes their talents in the Philippines and overseas, ultimately giving birth to internationally -acclaimed artists and professionalizing the art industry by setting and maintaining high-quality standards for the performing and visual arts – while providing help to those in needs.

In September 8, 2022 the Regional Development Council-Calabarzon IV-A gave a RDC Special Award to KUNST Filipino recognizing its Banaag Award, 2021 Presidential Award.

The Presidential Award is the most distinguished and the highest award given by the Philippine government to individuals and organizations overseas. The 56 awardees were selected from 117 nominations from 31 countries through 39 Philippine Embassies and Consulates, KUNST Filipino is the only awardee from Germany in 2021.