The astonishing works of visual artists Archie Oclos, Doktor Karayom, and Zeus Bacson—the first batch of 2018 Thirteen Artists Awards (TAA) recipients—were inaugurated to the public last June 6 as part of the 13 Artists Awards in Benilde Project, an institutional collaboration between the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) at the School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus.


Photo by Ricardo Yan II

Curated by 2000 Thirteen Artist Awardee Karen Flores and CCA director Ar. Gerry Torres, each work was formally introduced. With the CCP’s goal to restructure, restrengthen, and renew Philippine art, the first batch of awardees were given the freedom to do what they want with their artworks. The space inspires the artists to do something that engages people, hence the diverse artworks each have their own message and contribution to the discussion within the people.

No place like home

Photo by Ricardo Yan II

Bakwit is an art mural by Oclos located at the Dominga St. Wall of the SDA building that tells the ongoing “bakwit” issue in the nation, namely mostly children who have no access to education. ”Bakwit” plays off the English word “evacuee.” Oclos, the 29-year-old University of the Philippines graduate with a degree in Fine Arts in Painting, enjoys working in the streets wherein his murals often depict socio-political issues and the concerns of the indigenous people.

As part of the onsite interview by Ar. Torres, Oclos chose the wall because of its size and quietness of the area. His goal was to catch the attention of the people passing by.

“Walang gobyernong sumusuporta para makapag-aral ang mga kabataan pero nagsumisikap ang mga kabataang katutubo natin na magkaroon sila ng edukasyon,” Oclos said.

In his experiences with the tribes through immersion, he saw the reality and the hardships of the “bakwit” people. Because of militarization, mining companies hired military personnel to displace the indigenous tribes, Oclos stated during the question and answer portion of the inauguration.

The mural features two siblings who have lost their parents. Carrying a gallon of water, they try their best to save water as much as they can. The books symbolize the kids’ love for education and, despite the lack of support, they are still eager to learn. Oclos’ goal was to show his perspective of what the world is to the “bakwit” and the message that the youth are the future of the nation.

The power of fear

Meanwhile, Hindi Totoo is an art mural by Russell Trinidad a.k.a. ‘Doktor Karayom’ and is located at the College’s fourth floor stairwell. Touching on the theme of Philippine folklore, Trinidad drew his inspiration from the Aswang, Kapre, Tikbalang, and other mythical creatures that define the Filipino identity. A person’s inner demons within are exemplified in the mural as well. Trinidad, who is fond of the mythical stories of terror growing up, goes by the name of “Doktor Karayom” as a street name as a Fine Arts student at the Technological University of the Philippines. He was interested in street art and did murals in abandoned buildings but he admitted that it was a form of vandalism. However, he wanted to exemplify beauty in an eyesore of space while using the street name to protect him from being caught.

In an interview with The Benildean, Trinidad further explained the meaning and the inspiration behind his artwork.

“Ito ‘yung mga kinakatakutan natin noong kabataan natin…As an artist, nagpapasalamat ako dahil natutunan kong mag-imagine ng mga bagay-bagay ng mga ganun….nakakagawa rin ako ng mga sarili kong creatures based sa mga nakwento dati,” he said.

Trinidad also refers to the “panandaliang takot” or the feeling of visiting a horror attraction which gives you a short-term fright of an experience.

Moreover, Trinidad was able to connect with the different people who passed by the mural, offering their own stories as they gaze at the horrifying illustrations.

“Mas nakikita ko at mas naoobserbahan ko ‘yung mga pakiramdam ng mga tao lalo na ‘yung mga dumadaan dito…mga estudyante at kung sino mang mga tao ang mapadaan.” Trinidad said his goal wasn’t just to scare and instill fear towards the people but to emphasize the importance of Philippine folklore.

An identity of disguise

Dead Masks is an artwork by Laguna-based visual artist Bascon representing individuality and universality. 500 masks are installed in the wall near the 5th floor theater of SDA. Bascon, 32, is a University of Santo Tomas graduate with a degree in Business Administration. He later pursued a career in art has done projects here and abroad.

As part of the Q&A session, Ar. Torres elaborated the process of Bascon’s artwork. The grids on the wall helped as a guide to identify the curves of the snake-like formation of the colorful masks. Bascon, who wasn’t present at the time, stated in a video call that there is the opportunity of space to present a new form for the artwork. From a painting to an installation to a performative drawing in the art exhibition in CCP, it has become a site-specific drawing; his work has evolved over time.

To cap off the program, the inauguration of the first batch’s works isn’t the end of the engagement with the artists but the beginning of something bigger. According to Ar. Torres, plans for a continued partnership have been discussed to further maximize the talents and skills of the artists.

“This launch is not the end of our engagement with Archie, Russell, and Zeus but it is actually going to be the beginning of further engagement…we do hope that the thirteen artists will continue their partnership with Benilde through talks and workshops with our students,” he said.

Located around the SDA campus, Bakwit by Oclos, Hindi Totoo by Trinidad, and Dead Masks by Bascon will be displayed for up to two years.