As Abot Tala continues to serve teens and families who want to take charge of their learning, we constantly seek new avenues for support and fundraising. The recent collaboration with Leon Gallery has proven to be a wonderful venue for people who want to support Abot Tala while enriching their lives with pieces that represent the best of art and culture.
Leon Gallery has a reputation for auctioning off pieces that are museum-worthy and historically important, which makes their auctions exciting for bidders who are looking for quality items to collect. Last July, the gallery auctioned off the work of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. His painting was contributed by international art collector Lin Bildner, specifically to raise funds for Abot Tala.
Here are the artists, artworks, pieces, and contributors that will be taking part in the Leon Gallery auction on October 17-18 at 11:00 a.m. Part of the proceeds from the items mentioned below will benefit Abot Tala and its mission. You can find out how to take part in the next auction in January 2021 at the end of this post.
Tessa Alindogan: An Unstoppable Creative Force
When Tessa Alindogan—style maven, interior designer, painter and baker— is “in the zone” while pursuing her passions, she is unstoppable. That’s why Abot Tala’s mission to help teens get into the “zone” of developing their interests and strengths resonates with her.
Tessa happily offered one of her abstract masterpieces for the Leon Gallery auction. This piece, with its muted and thoughtful color palette, is a modern yet elegant addition to any home.
Quintin Pastrana: Renaissance Man
Quintin Pastrana is a renewable energy entrepreneur, library-builder, mentor, news anchor, poet, producer, SME supporter, rower, traveler, and now Abot Tala board member.
As a graduate of Ateneo, Georgetown, Cambridge and Oxford, Quintin believes that the educational option Abot Tala provides is important. Students shouldn’t be squeezed into a one-size-fits all program; take it from someone who has turned his ADHD into a strength, not a weakness.
Quintin contributed his restored white Volkswagen Beetle as well as an antique wood desk to the October auction. The proceeds from the sale of these items will go to not just Abot Tala, but to the Library Renewal Partnerships as well.
Rellie Liwag: The Artist Within
Two things bring Rellie Liwag great joy: her dog, Matisse, and painting. The artist within Rellie fought hard to claim her own space, as she took art classes in New York, Philadelphia, Florence and Burgundy.
She has participated in a number of solo and group exhibits including two on 5th Avenue, Manhattan. Now most of her time is spent in her studio in Metro Manila, where she follows her bliss creating landscapes, portraits and commissioned work.
Monica Castillo: Great Art-venturer
Art is Monica Castillo’s great adventure. “I want to inspire others to look a little more closely, think a little more deeply, and look at the world a little more wondrously,” she shared. She is a graduate of the Tokyo University of the Arts and has participated in the Folkeston Triennial in the UK, as well as group shows in Japan.
Two of her works will be auctioned for the benefit of Abot Tala which show her attention to detail.
Belinda Olivares-Cunanan: Awesome Octogenarian
The indefatigable Belinda, known fondly as “Tita Bel”, recently celebrated her 80th birthday with a virtual tour of St. Petersburg together with her family and friends. Tita Bel is that cool aunt you wish you could visit regularly for inspiration and interesting stories. She is also a respected columnist, veteran journalist, Sunday radio host, avid gardener and classical music lover. She and her radio partner, Cecile Guidote Alvarez, interviewed the founders of Abot Tala for their long-running program, “Radyo Balintataw.” To help support Abot Tala, Tita Bel contributed a number of her lovely and precious antiques.
Tinky Cabanatan Cruz: A Woman with More than One Cause
Tinky Cabanatan Cruz is an inspiration when it comes to supporting causes. She has helped different NGOs give scholarships, procure musical instruments for disadvantaged children, stock libraries, plan eco-farms, start farmers’ co-ops, and promote entrepreneurship. Together with her husband, renowned pianist Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, Tinky ran a youth program patterned after Venezuela’s El Sistema, a music education initiative for kids in impoverished areas.
With her family’s involvement in music, it’s quite fitting that the painting Tinky has contributed for the Leon Gallery auction this October 17 features a violinist and cellist.
Anonymous Contributor
An exquisite pastel piece entitled “Pinatubo Father and Children” by Arlene Villaver was given by an anonymous donor to Abot Tala for the October auction.
According to her website, Arlene Villaver has been painting for over 30 years. As a Christian artist, she considers art as a tool for serving the Lord and a platform that reveals how God sees people. She dreams of setting up a creative arts center where she can teach art therapy for seniors and conduct art outreaches for women and children. Arlene’s dream and vision as a woman of faith complements Abot Tala’s quest to empower teens as they learn, think creatively, and develop their identities.
Abot Tala is what school would look like if we could redefine and redesign it from the ground up. It’s a modern, personalized co-learning hub for 12 to 18-year-olds—a space where teens can discover their gifts and talents, set goals, and dream freely with the guidance of mentors. Abot Tala is all about helping the next generation uncover their full potential.
Abot Tala is a member of the Liberated Learners, a network of self-directed learning centers based on the North Star model started by Ken Danford in Massachusetts, more than 20 years ago. It opened its doors in Taguig last June 2019 and continues to operate online during this new normal phase. Families who come to Abot Tala are surprised and grateful to find that a place like this exists—a place where their teen can find a community to belong to, thrive in, explore avenues of expression, and embrace learning fit for their unique selves.
While Abot Tala is going strong and continues to build its community online, we look forward to the future when our community can meet face-to-face once again in outdoors spaces safely.
For those interested in submitting pieces for the next auctions by Leon Gallery that can help support Abot Tala, please contact Abot Tala founder, Joei Villarama, on Facebook Messenger or on Viber: 0920 917 4527.
The proceeds from the sale of the donated Amorsolo painting has helped Abot Tala provide teens with unique and relevant classes and encouraging mentors at affordable rates. Various contributors have helped us serve teens who want to be empowered in their learning journey. Is there something you would like to contribute? It may be our next “Amorsolo!”
abottala.wordpress.com 