ART 40

ART 40 and ART 2 HEART Villages in KRUSADA ABS-CBN

Krusada: Julius Babao -Housing By Nathalie Blanco, Multimedia producer, Krusada Posted at 01/04/2011 4:50 AM | Updated as of 01/06/2011 6:19 PM Anchor: Julius Babao Due to lack of development and the lack of employment, people from... more

Previous blog entries:
Aug 1	-	Julius Babao and friends hold Art 2 Heart auction | The Philippine Star Lifestyle Features Arts and Culture
Jan 22	-	Young at heart and noble in spirit - SAVOIR FAIRE By Mayenne Carmona | The Philippine Star Lifestyle Features Modern Living
Jan 9	-	TOP ARTISTS GIVE BACK TO ONDOY VICTIMS

“The power of the greatest art,” says art historian Simon Schama, “is the power to shake us into revelation and rip us from our default mode of seeing.” In the case of broadcast journalist and art collector Julius Babao, his love of art has inspired him to break out of the mold by initiating an activity that allows art to demonstrate its power and influence not just on a metaphysical plane but on a more pragmatic scale.

In ART 40, we see a hundred Filipino artists and their supporters gathering together for a noble mission: to build a village for the underprivileged community. The idea, spearheaded by Babao, was a logical step for him and his wife Tin-Tin, who are both volunteers and donors of Gawad Kalinga Community Foundation, established as a “faith in action” project in 1995 by Couples for Christ, whose mission is to build homes and establish communities in the poorest areas of countries like the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Indonesia.

“This year, on my 40th birthday, I wanted to move a giant step further by donating a village, a community for the poor. (Thus, ART 40). But I could not do this alone without the help of other generous donors. That's when the idea of getting the help of my artist friends came to my mind. The power of art, so to speak,” says Babao. “I believe in Gawad Kalinga and its goal. I believe that if we all do our share in helping our poor brothers and sisters, we can make this country a better place.”

GK is an organization that exists outside of politics. “Here, everyone is sincere and true. Empty promises and politicking are not allowed,” he adds. Both the poor and the rich hold hands to reach a common goal that was set by Ramon Magsaysay awardee and Gawad Kalinga executive director Antonio Meloto.

Babao’s dedication to volunteerism and Gawad Kalinga is borne out of his daily exposure to hard news involving crime and corruption as well as constant politicking. Someone has to take responsibility for improving the quality of life. “I have witnessed the transformation of GK communities,” he says. “It’s not just the physical home that undergoes changes. Even the behaviour, habits and outlook of the community improves. A squatter’s area where people drink on the streets, hold riots at night and throw garbage anywhere is transformed into a proud and dignified community.”

But why art? Apart from Babao’s affinity towards it, there is also the fact that Philippine art is again earning its place in the international spotlight, as evidenced by the recent successes of young artists at auction houses like Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Borobudur and Larasati. It wasn’t hard to convince them, “98% of artists that I invited immediately expressed their interest,” Babao recalls. By donating their works, the artists do what they can do to extend their help to the underprivileged communities in the country.

That, ultimately, is the spirit behind Gawad Kalinga and ART 40. “If we pool together all our resources, we can make this dream a reality,” says Babao.

James Ong
July 2008

GROUNDBREAKING AUGUST 2008

ART 40 VILLAGE GROUNDBREAKING. THANK YOU ROMA, FROILAN, JON JAYLO, JANICE YOUNG FOR FINDING TIME. HOPE THE OTHER ARTISTS CAN JOIN US IN THE COMING DAYS.
THIS VIDEO SHOWS US PUTTING ROSARY, COINS, BIGAS SA TIME CAPSULE NG ARTIST VILLAGE.

Previous videos:
Jul 29	-	ART 40 TV PATROL REPORT
Jun 30	-	ART 40 paintings.m4v