PILI, Camarines Sur—People typically go to air-conditioned rooms, enclosed building spaces, and narrow hallways to experience art. One artist, Manuel Dondon Medenilla, has made a dramatic distinction.

Medenilla is holding an exhibition of his paintings, acrylic on canvas, on a sidewalk of Magsaysay Avenue in Naga City, to literally bring art closer to other people and make them realize that art is intertwined with every aspect of life.The show runs until Feb. 28.

Magsaysay Avenue reflects the city’s bustling lifestyle. The exhibition’s venue is surrounded by giant buildings and human-sized billboards; the paintings are hung on a damaged concrete wall beside a filthy walkway.

There have been many street art exhibits across the country, but Medenilla’s initiative is particularly thought-provoking and empowering. The “post no bill” sign on the wall speaks volumes about art transcending boundaries and claiming a public space. No law was violated, as art itself is freedom.

Cornerstone

Art has become Medenilla’s cornerstone, enabling him to fund his children’s education and witness them grow into working professionals. As a gesture of gratitude, he offers workshops to enthusiasts eager to learn various art forms, including rock art and realism.

His artistic journey began at the young age of 17. He was mentored by Hermel Alejandre, an established painter known for his cubist expression.

Medenilla acknowledges that art is an underappreciated profession, with artists investing immense effort and dedication in honing their craft, and their income seldom reflecting that reality.

One of his favorite paintings is “Surgeon,” a powerful depiction of the critical and flexible roles of physicians. He explains the piece as “The Tumbling Doctors,” which he created to honor medical professionals and recognize the difficulties they face daily to save lives and minimize harm.

Some of the paintings in the street exhibit date from 2019 and consist of mixed media, Medenilla said in a press conference held by the City Events, Protocol and Public Information Office of the Naga City government in time for the celebration of February as National Art Month.

Empowerment

Medenilla is the founding head of the organization named Artist, Media, and Artworks (AMA), and is a mentor to young artists. At the press conference, he emphasized the importance of empowering the younger generation of artists as the next torchbearers of creativity and expression.

AMA has been actively engaging in public initiatives, including mural painting and art exhibitions. Through collaborations with the city government, it has transformed walls in several barangays into vibrant canvases showcasing Naga’s culture.

It has committed to provide a platform for its members to showcase their work and gain exposure, such as the “Pag-usbong Art Exhibit,” to enable them to refine their craft and develop their individual artistic voices.

Some AMA members were invited to participate in the street show to display their pieces, but most of them were limited by conflicting schedules, Medenilla said.

The struggles of artists in Naga are real, and their journey to recognition is not easy. Still they persevere, hoping for promotion and support from concerned organizations to validate their hard work and passion.

Alexandra Fragata, a college student, came to view the street exhibit and saw Medenilla painting on the spot. She was amazed by how the artist managed to paint despite the pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

“My attention was caught by the vibrant colors, and I liked how the paintings looked real in people’s eyes,” Fragata said in a mix of English and Filipino. “And despite the busy street, I was comforted and relaxed at the same time. Here in Naga City, a street exhibit is uncommon.”

Fragata expressed hope that more artists would engage in street art—not just paintings but also murals, sculptures, and installations.

Support

Struggling artists will not be applauded for their work without the support of government initiatives and nongovernment organizations.

One, the Rigmat Arts and Culture Festival, was founded in August 2023 as a volunteer-based coalition promoting, honoring, and assisting artists in Naga. It believes that arts, culture, and heritage should not be limited to Art Month celebrations and should be recognized and appreciated throughout the year.

Dennis Gonzaga, the internal vice president of the Naga City and Culture Coalition, said his group’s initial plan was to introduce artists as a sector with the potential to influence social change.

“The Festival was a call to action between and among artists and creatives of various disciplines (literature, visual arts, music, dramatic arts, architecture, news arts, cultural advocacies, etc.) who feel that while the entire art community is a large population, it is underrepresented in the public space,” Gonzaga said.

The name “Rigmat” comes from the Bikol term meaning “enlightened,” “awake,” and “conscious.” It suggests that art has the power to raise awareness about social realities and injustice.

Medenilla and Rigmat Fest have a common goal: to make people conscious of the social realities hidden behind vivid imagery. With Art Month celebrations coming to a close, they wish for people to be awakened to the hope of change reflected in the art, and to live by the embedded meaning that artists bring to life with vivid colors.

They believe in the power of street art to remove artworks from artificial prisons, and that to be seen and heard, artists should go out of the box and use the urban environment as canvas.

Antonette Alzaga, 22, a fourth-year journalism student at Bicol University College of Arts and Letters in Legazpi City, is the content editor of Budyong Online and an intern at CoverStory.

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