Paghubog ng Kababaihan sa Lipunan’ — an art exhibit celebrating the International Women’s Month

“Hulma: Paghubog ng Kababaihan sa Lipunan” is an art exhibit in celebration of the International Women’s Month and is ongoing at the Benitez Hall Lobby, College of Education, UP Diliman, Quezon City GAD Committee and Art Education Area, UP College of Education until April 12, 2024. This exhibit is attended by talented artists; among them are the husband-and-wife team Jose Glenn and Gem Yonzon Blanco. This exhibit is in cooperation with Art Ventures and Advocacy Network (ArtVAN).

Jose Glenn Blanco, the eldest of the Blanco brothers of Angono Rizal, took up painting when he was 16. Despite getting into art rather late in comparison to his siblings, he has sufficiently proven his talent in a number of canvases. According to Alice Guillermo his paintings show “a feeling for composition with a sense of breathing space, meticulous craftsmanship in handling details as well as a sensitive grasp of texture”. He has exhibited in China, Malaysia,Singapore, USA, Spain. He has five solo painting exhibits under his belt, participated in numerous group shows. His paintings can be found in different private and public institutions. He was awarded the 2019 Gawad Rizal Ten Outstanding Citizen of Rizal, the 2016 Sangguniang Bayan Award for Artistic Excellence, the 2014 TOTAL Award – the highest award given by University of Santo Tomas (UST) to its alumni. He was recognized as 2013 Outstanding Alumni of the College of Arts and Letters, UST. Glenn has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from UST 1987, certificate in professional education at University of Rizal System in 2012, took and passed the LET in 2014. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Art Education at the College of Education, UP Diliman.

Creativity runs in the family, Gem Yonzon Blanco came from celebrated pedigree artists; she is kin to the illustrious Yonzon family of Artists. Her father, Felicisimo C. Yonzon was a zarzuela actor, scriptwriter, and visual artist. At a young age, Gem showed exemplary talent in the arts. In her early school life, she joined art competitions both local and international. In Letran High School, she became a member of the Literary and Dramatics Club; her work won the Raya On the Spot Painting Contest and had exhibited at the Jose Rizal Library in Calamba. During her college days, theater guild interest embraced her life as she became the theater’s poster designer, showcase director and production designer.

This artist is also an art teacher readily sharing her love and passion with the inquisitive students. Under the UNICEF assisted project Gem shares her artistic ability; her works were shown at the Universal Exposition in Seville, Spain in 1992.

She taught art at the Annual Summer Art Program of the Angono Artists Association, Inc. and handled Special Programs for the Arts (SPA) in public and private schools nationwide. Indeed, Gem has the gift of creative expression which she passionately extends to others

ADVT.