Gallery: Kristine Lim & Jonathan Manalo “Ugoy” @Intramuros

Gallery: Kristine Lim & Jonathan Manalo “Ugoy” @Intramuros

Artist on a Mission, Kristine Lim,

Honors All Mothers & Mother’s Day Founder, Dr. Samie Lim

Mother and missionary visual artist, Kristine Lim, remains in full speed with her 3rd Art Installation in Intramuros Manila entitled UGOY. This mother of two has been sharing both her faith and talent boldly making her presence in the art scene impossible to ignore; just like the undeniable love and care of mothers who are willing to do everything for their children. 

Mounting the art installation in time for Mother’s Day and the election season, “Artist on a Mission”, Kristine Lim, made 18 beautiful cradle nests to grace the grounds of Intramuros, Manila. To breathe further emotion to the project and ignite a more moving experience is the composition, for UGOY, of Mr. Music, Jonathan, Manalo, the Creative Director of ABS-CBN Music. Kristine described Jonathan’s song for her art installation as “a beautifully combined and ethereal melody, voice and rhythm we can rest on as we ponder on what it means to be cradled by our mother land we must uphold, honor, and care for. A call for realization that every Filipino, young, old, regardless of gender and status are the real mothers of our nation.”

During the formal artist reception at the main plaza of Intramuros, Lim also took the opportunity to surprise and honor one of her mentors and dear friend who was her special guest during the said event, Dr. Samie Lim.

Dr. Samie Lim is the father of franchising in our country and the one who institutionalized Mother’s Day Celebration in the Philippines. Kristine expressed her admiration and gratefulness to Dr. Samie by gifting him with three mother and child themed paintings. A metal sculpture by Kristine was also forged and presented to Dr. Samie. With her during the turn-over were owner and managing Director of Art Lounge Manila, Ms. Susanne Tiausas, and longtime friends and colleagues of Dr. Samie Lim; Bing Limjoco, Sheril R. Quintana, and Yvette Pardo-Orbeta, and friends from Department of Tourism, It’s More Fun In The Philippines, Intramuros Administration, Art Lounge Manila, Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I Love Mom Movement, Sustainable PH, Christian Collective, Artists on a Mission Workshops, OM Philippines, and AOR Global. 

According to Dr. Samie Lim, this is the first time that he wrote a speech. He said during the event, “I’m very amazed. This is one of the biggest thank you that I’ve ever gotten. That’s why, it’s probably the first speech I ever wrote.” He also commended Kristine Lim saying, “Every year, I try to find 100 ways to honor moms; but in this very innovative art exhibit, I believe I found 100+1 ways to make moms smile. These are meaningful artworks that depict the unconditional love of a mother for her child.”

Dr. Lim also reminded everyone that “One of the greatest proofs of God’s love are mothers.” What inspired him to institutionalize Mother’s Day Celebration in our country was his personal experience. “I went into seclusion, into meditation, and that led me to a period of deep depression… but as always, God was good to me. Those who took care of me were my mother, my wife and my sister. They were all mothers. They nursed me back to health. I wanted to honor them and all the mothers by starting a movement that will bring families closer together by recognizing the importance of the role of mothers.” Ending his speech was also a beautiful message for everyone saying, “Say ‘I love you!” to your mom, to your wife, to your sister, and to all your relatives because some of them need to hear that, and they have not heard it for a long, long time.”

Guest who also shared heart-felt and inspiring messages during the event are Atty. Vhincent Canares (Head of Urban Planning and Community Development Division of Intramuros Administration), Ms. Katherine Solis – Davila (Board Member of Sustainable PH), Ms. Claudette Celine Tojos (Christian + Collective’s VP for internal affairs),  Ms. Lita Teodosio (Full time missionary from Operation Mobilization in the Philippines & Team Leader for Luzon and Head of Resource Development for OM National), Dr. Bing Sibal Limjoco, CFE (Honorary Chairman and Adviser Chairman, Membership and SDG Committee, PCCI), Ms Sheril R. Quintana, CFE (Chairwoman of Philippine Franchise Association),  and Ms Yvette Pardo- Orbeta, CFE (Trustee at I Love Mom Movement).

The event conduced with a prayer and dedication by Pastor Monique Lopez – Ong of Revelation City Church and host of ABS-CBN’s Real Talk, with the symbolic release of 18 white doves to further magnify the purpose behind UGOY and the event; all accompanied by a live performance by Andre Ruelo from Revelation City Church with his personal interpretation of the song by Manalo entitled, “Hanggang Sa Huli”. 

“UGOY” is presented by Department of Tourism, It’s More Fun In The Philippines, Intramuros Administration, Art Lounge Manila, Philippine Franchise Association, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I Love Mom Movement; with the participation of Sustainable PH, Christian Collective, Artists on a Mission Workshops, OM Philippines and AOR Global. The Art Installation can be viewed at Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila for the whole month of May. 

ARTIST STATEMENT

by Kristine Lim

         18 cradle nests representing our 18 regions are scattered in Intramuros to honor the mothers in our country and our motherland. The past years have been challenging, and through God, who comforts us as a mother comforts a child, we are granted endless source of strength that we may endure our dark days.

         This ventures on to our election season to remind the Filipinos that it is not just the elected leaders who we should depend on when it comes to caring for our nation. Each and every one of us is the true mother of our homeland. Our patriotism lies not on our loyalty to people but on our loyalty to our country. Our leaders will continue to change, but the soil that we are on will remain. We are Filipinos not because of our government or the authorities who lead us but because of who we are. Our constant need for the comforting cradles in our homeland can only be satisfied when we are able to look within ourselves, do what we must, and surrender not to man but to God.

ISAIAH 66:13

COMPOSER’S STATEMENT

by Jonathan Manalo

         Is our state of mind being lightened or shaken? In most cases, we would feel that the latter is best fit to describe what we are going through; as individuals, and as a nation. 

         Perhaps the reason we feel we are being shaken is because our hearts are not in the right place. Perhaps the reason we feel we are being shaken is we forget who we are, we forget our purpose, and where we should be in our journey.

         The difference between feeling lightened and being shaken is our perspective. Peace can be found by learning to ride the chaos and glide thru the uncertain motions gracefully; Having the capacity to take heart and grasp what lies beyond its limits. Through accepting that what is needed may not always be found in fighting against the rhythm, rather, in the ability to trust where its throbs and lilts will take us, is paramount in bringing out the very essence of being Filipino; steadfast in faith to where we lie and we stand.

As UGOY gives you the experience it aims to present through what was conceived by Kristine and I, may you be cradled by its hums and melodies; inculcating you to let go of yourself and find peace even in the midst of a pandemonium. Let UGOY sway you through the fearful illusions of life’s shakings and trembles, towards the comfort that it intends to give. The best way to go through the greatest highs and lows is to rest in and surrender to the One who is greater.

CURATOR’S NOTE

by Ian Belleza

         “Ugoy,” to rock or to cradle; this is what mothers do to show their love and to comfort their children. Incidentally, “Ugoy” is the inspiration and the title of Kristine Lim’s third art installation in Intramuros. This is a very timely installation since the country is experiencing difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is during trying times like the pandemic that we turn to our mothers for support. 

         Cradle nests, made of wood and branches, are placed inside Fort Santiago. Through Kristine Lim’s art installation and Jonathan Manalo’s musical score, we can take a moment in one of the 18 cradle nests and gently sway back and forth, taking in the scenery before us. As we are left with our musings, we are encouraged to remember that God, like our mothers, always have our best interests in His heart. That He will always be there to nudge us in the right direction, no matter how challenging life can get. 

         Additionally, we need to realize that we, the Filipino people, are just as responsible for our Motherland as our elected leaders. The country’s future does not just rely on those with authority or power. We, as a nation, should use our God-given talents and skills to improve our country’s predicament.

QUOTES FROM DR. SAMIE LIM

The man who institutionalized Mother’s Day Celebration in the Philippines

during his speech at the formal Artist Talk

and Special Pre-Mother’s Day Reception

of UGOY Art Installation in Intramuros Manila

“One of the greatest proofs of God’s love are mothers.”

“I went into seclusion, into meditation, and that led me to a period of deep depression… but as always, God was good to me. Those who took care of me were my mother, my wife and my sister. They were all mothers. They nursed me back to health. I wanted to honor them and all the mothers by starting a movement that will bring families closer together by recognizing the importance of the role of mothers.”

“I’m very amazed. This is one of the biggest thank you that I’ve ever gotten. That’s why, it’s probably the first speech I ever wrote.”

“Every year, I try to find 100 ways to honor moms; but in this very innovative art exhibit, I believe I found 100+1 ways to make moms smile.”

“These are meaningful artworks that depict the unconditional love of a mother for her child.”

“… her biggest regret in life was that she was never able to say ‘I love you, Mom.’ when the mother was still alive.” (sharing a story that moved him about a girl who regrated not being able to show her love to her mom)

“Say ‘I love you!” to your mom, to your wife, to your sister, and to all your relatives because some of them need to hear that, and they have not heard it for a long, long time.”

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