paintings sold were an absolute
bargain, given that these young
artists have yet to have a solo exhibit
that would increase their value.
Reyes declared, “For as long as
the rivers are dirty, we should have
an exhibit like this every year.”
DIFFERENT STROKES
JC Vargas, whose portrait of a child
was the centerpiece of the exhibit,
explained that the pigments were
derived from the Cainta, Tulyahan,
Marikina, Taguig, and Pasig rivers,
each producing different shades
and colors. “It was autoclaved
[sterilized using heat and pressure],
decontaminated, and concentrated.
After that process, we mixed it
with gum arabic [acacia tree sap
traditionally used in art paints]
to use it as a watercolor. The
gum arabic fixes it as binder.”
He confessed that, despite the
medical masks they wore, “The
smell is not good. Although it was
processed and decontaminated, the
smell still stays.” The stench only
helped the artists bring to life the
scenes of the rivers as they painted.
Vargas revealed that the
pollution-derived paint had
properties that were different
from professional water colors
and necessitated a different set
of techniques. “I brushed less.
Because the more you brush, the
more the paper will be damaged.
Just one brush stroke was used.”
PART OF THE WHOLE
Jen Santos, Program Director of
the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya
Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan,
stated, “The Pasig River is 27
kilometers and passes through
five cities. So when we do work in
the Pasig River it means having to
coordinate with the cities of Taguig,
Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, and
Manila. Just like our own circulatory
system, any clogs, hindrance from
any artery or vein will cause great
harm. So what we do is we focus
first on the esteros [estuaries].”
At the Philippine International
Rivers Summit in 2012, all rivers
within Metro Manila were declared
biologically dead by scientists.
Silt, crude oil, heavy metals, algae
and biological wastes were the
chief contaminants, according to
Bryan Siy, Creative Director of
TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno.
“Informal settlers who were
living by the esteros and under the
bridges have to relocate because it’s
not safe for them to live there. We
wanted to give them more decent
life. So Bayan ni Juan, which is also
a project of ABS-CBN Lingkod
Kapamilya Foundation, was one of
the relocation sites. There we have
livelihood, they have housing. They
have a playground. They have a clinic.
It’s a whole area for their needs.
We have to change mindsets. We
are talking about values formation
which cannot be done overnight.
So we have formulated a special
program where each individual can
be empowered to be a river warrior.
So we have done River Warriors on
different sites,” she revealed during
an audiovisual presentation that
documented how school children
THE WORK
INNOVATION
from communities near waterways
were motivated and educated.
Santos showed photos
that documented the dramatic
transformation already instituted
at various sites rehabilitated by
Bantay Kalikasan, most notably the
Paco Market estuary. Waterways
once clogged with trash and
hemmed by shanties became
beautiful riverside parks where
local children could safely play.
PERFECT CHEMISTRY
Melvin Mangada, multi-awarded and
internationally acclaimed Managing
Partner and Chief Creative Officer
of TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno,
revealed that it was Bryan Siy,
Creative Director at TBWA\Santiago
Mangada Puno who spearheaded
the exhibit, using both his creativity
and scientific knowledge to make
painting art with pollution a reality.
“The Dirty Watercolor Project is
just one of the projects we have out
in the agency, which is part of the
philosophy of the agency, which is
creativity for humanity. Creativity
for humanity encourages thoughtful
solutions for pressing issues involving
the environment and of course the
future of our children and a better
Philippines,” declared Mangada.
July - August 2016 | adobo magazine
81