As the world celebrates March, a month dedicated to International Women’s Day and Women’s rights, Zonta Club of Makati & Environs (ZCME), Galerie Joaquin, and BDO Private Bank have come together to present an art exhibit that truly embodies this cause: Women Rise.
The exhibit is professionally curated by the renowned Galerie Joaquin and will be held from March 9 to 12 at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati. It showcases the works of female artists who have made a name for themselves in their respective fields of art.
The exhibit aims to not only recognize the women’s achievements but also uplift conversations that bring attention to the advocacy of women’s rights and empowerment.
It features a wide array of artworks, ranging from paintings to sculptures, and more. It also highlights the diversity in styles that each artist brings to the show. The works represent female talent across different mediums and are sure to fascinate art and culture enthusiasts alike.
Women Rise Art Exhibit features the works of Olivia D’ Aboville, Rona Manansala, Barbara Angeles, Ann Moneda, Jo Balbarona, Maridi Nivera, Charming Baldemor, Karina Baluyut, Marge Organo, Erlinda Panlilio, Caress Banson, Ada Panopio, Jovan Benito, Jesusa Calanasan, Victoria Pollisco, Ape Castillo, Isah Rodillo, Katrina Cuenca, Wendy Rondaris, Enon De Belen, Camille Dela Rosa, Aileen Lanuza, Loida Tan, Jenny Leviste, Haraya Tejido, Carol Llanillo, Camille Ver, April Lopez, Migs Villanueva, Rafaelle Louise, Melissa Yeung Yap, Claudia Luz, MM Yu, Raisa Luz, Vicky Zubiri, and Wence Zyl.
At its core, Women Rise seeks to empower female artists and bring attention to their talent in a meaningful way. This initiative is part of a larger commitment from both ZCME and BDO Private Bank for gender equality.
ZCME has been helping empower women in communities for over 50 years, being a member of Zonta International—a worldwide organization dedicated to advancing the status of women; while BDO Private Bank has been consistently championing Philippine arts and culture for many years.
Part of the proceeds of Women Rise will support ZCME’s noteworthy projects, including:
- ZCME Psychological Center for abused women and girls in Marillac Hills, Muntinlupa
- Empowering Women Scholarship Program (EWSP) at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- Food Share Program: a platform for community building by using work to resolve poverty-related issues
At the BDO Private Bank Media Luncheon held prior to the opening of Women Rise, executives from BDO Private Bank, ZCME, Galerie Joaquin, and some amazing female artists shared insight about the exhibit and their projects.
Zonta’s Mission to Empower Women
Zonta has a mission to empower women and create “A better world for women and girls.”
To support this cause, Maritess Pineda, the president of the Zonta Club of Makati & Environs, took on the challenge of leading their fundraising committee. Drawing from her own passion for arts, she decided to focus on promoting arts as an avenue for sustainability, not just providing funds but also developing female artists who don’t have access to the market.
By giving them a platform at Filipinas Fair where they can show off multiple artistic mediums like paintings, fashion pieces, jewelry designs, and more home items, it not only gives access to people who don’t have any other outlet but also helps fund projects that empower women around the world. (More about Maritess Pineda here).
BDO and ZCME Partner for Women Rise
Stella L. Cabalatungan, BDO’s Executive Vice President and Head of the Wealth Management Group is a firm believer in the potential of art as an investment, not only monetary wise but also in terms of preserving one’s legacy while teaching children to appreciate Filipino artists’ skills and our own heritage.
Celebrating women empowerment doesn’t come just from words. BDO itself has proven it by being led today by its female Chairperson Teresita Sy with many other Senior Level and middle managers that are partaking actively in the such initiative, making an example for those who seek to follow this same path within their organization.
Stella believes that women can contribute equally or even more than men when given the opportunity; thus why partnering with Zonta seemed like a perfect fit for them in order to promote female empowerment all around. By partnering with Zonta in women empowerment initiatives, BDO shows just how much they value the role women play not just within their business but elsewhere in society as well.
Paving the Way for Women Artists
Carol Llanillo, a former president of Zonta and a lifelong artist, has always had a passion for art. From the start, she faced pushback from her father who wanted her to pursue law instead, so that’s what she did! After graduating from law, however, Carol met and eventually married a lawyer, and decided it was time to follow her dreams — studying Chinese brush technique until becoming an accomplished master painter.
During this pandemic alone, Carol created 40 incredible works of art (two of them featured at the Women Rise art exhibit), showing everyone just how determined dedication can be when pursuing one’s passions.
Katrina Cuenca, another amazing artist, felt honored to be part of the Women Rise Art Exhibit, using her art as a vehicle for empowering women. Having personally encountered the challenges that come with being female and in the art industry, she was grateful for this meaningful opportunity, one which allows her work to serve an even bigger purpose.
My Thoughts
I feel so privileged to have been invited to this event by Nancy of Comm&Sense. And even though arts weren’t really my thing, it definitely opened up a new perspective for me.
When I shared that my 9-year-old daughter Macey is an aspiring artist (even though that’s not exactly a popular career choice compared to something like doctor or lawyer), the artists and the amazing ladies from BDO and ZCME who share the same passion for the arts, gave us advice on how she can make her dreams come true.
It was amazing meeting some of the incredible people there: executives at BDO & ZCME; artists; TV Host Ali Sotto from Net 25; editors with Philippine Daily Inquirer and Business Mirror; and fellow writers/bloggers put together by BDO. We had such a great time discussing arts advocacy and women empowerment over a sumptuous lunch at Mamou Too.
I was also lucky enough to have the chance of meeting Rose Fausto (aka the FQ Mom), one of my role models in the personal finance field who is also a member at Zonta Club of Makati & Environs, during this event.
Overall, it was more than just an art show. It was an event full of beauty and positive energy where people can come together to share stories and experiences that empower women around us. It is no surprise then that Women Rise left everyone inspired with its unique blend of artistry and advocacy championed by remarkable female artists from all over our country.
Congratulations to the Zonta Club of Makati & Environs, Gallery Joaquin, and BDO Private Bank for the success of Women Rise: A Women Artists Exhibition!
My gratitude to BDO for the generous gifts. I was astounded to find my name in their Private Bank magazine, and suddenly recalled that Patricia Villoria of GRID Magazine interviewed me last year for this feature. 🙂
