Filipino Artists LET’S PAINT Online Art Tutorial Group Exhibit their works in Baguio City

By Joan Honoridez
Baguio City
September 3, 2015



Let's Paint, an online art tutorial group on Facebook founded by Norbing a.k.a. Sining Villez in March 2015 quickly grew in terms of membership, participation and sponsorship as well as camaraderie and artist development. It is Villez' aim to share some of his knowledge in painting, most of which he has learned from his mentor Pol Mesina, Jr. 

He noticed that most Filipino artists are members of one Facebook group or another, depending on the group's objectives and themes. Some groups cater to art promotions, while others in online tournaments and the like. Some art groups have stayed on for years, while some fizzled out. Some have sparked controversies while some are conservative. That is why he created Let's Paint that has no other admins but he and himself in his other account to avoid political tensions. 


In addition to the encouraging atmosphere Villez is giving small cash incentives for the artists to participate in the monthly painting challenge wherein artists paint similar themes but in their respective interpretations the reference photos he would provide. The chosen artworks receiving the prize money would still remain the property of the artists. 


In as little as a few months after its creation, enthusiasm and support grew that their first major activity was a gathering of artists and group exhibition of their works at Fred's Gallery in Baguio City on August 25-27, 2015.

Artist and Architect Fredi Agunoy opened one unit of his serviced apartment in Baguio to house 15 artists chosen by Sining for the said event. And inspite of travel safety concerns brought about by the exiting Typhoon Ineng and also due to work-related constraints, most of the artists were able to travel up to Baguio City on a beautiful day which continued for the rest of the duration of the event. Some hailed from as far as Davao like Jose Tolentino Jimenez. Joan Honoridez flew in from Bacolod, while Elizabeth Dimarucut is from Bataan. From Bulacan are the Sining Obando group of Rolly Alcantara, Bimbo Santos, and Venerando Cenizal. Coming from Antipolo are the group of Pol Mesina, Jr., Lemuel Cunanan, Joey Ibuyat, and Mark Beloria. Camilo Santiago, Edu Pastrana and Ken Padlan are from nearby Pangasinan. Joemarie Sanclaria is from Cavite. Fred's Gallery artists and staff Emil Espiritu, Anjung Cagawan and Joanna Taruc joined in the fun-filled group interaction.


During the opening they are joined by other Baguio artists such as Eunice Guevarra, and the Simsim brothers Dexter and Joey as well as retired Tam-awan senior artist Roland Bay-an. The show was graced by their honored guest Gen. Andre Costales, assistant superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy who gladly shared his joy of having a ballerina daughter who is an artist as well. During the bonfire circle later that night, everyone shared inspiring stories about themselves and their art.

And of course, the whole group chatted with Let's Paint founder Sining before he clocked in for work in California and everybody was so happy to have a screenshot selfie with the master. The members all went to their respective homes full of wonderful memories of camaraderie and learning with plans of making this an annual and bigger event in Baguio City.