We discussed health issues, rants, and work while feasting on different yakitori from a neighborhood Japanese resto. The unanimous best was an unassuming dish, a strip of bacon wrapped around crunchy stalks of enoki mushrooms aptly named enoki-pork.

After an umami explosion of a dinner, we decided to visit a newly opened coffee shop, altitude coffee, but it was closed. (I believe they are still on a soft-opening)

Since our thirst for caffeine and estetiks wasn’t satisfied, we decided to check out the art gallery, serendipitously conveniently nestled on the top floor of the same building.

WHAT IF - the title of the exhibit by an esteemed Filipino artist Christian Regis. A very unassuming and humble personality who we will not recognize if not for Ms Roxanne, the friendly gallery staff, telling us that we were in the presence of the artist himself.

We were the only visitors that time, well, what do you expect at 9:13PM right? Mr Regis was very gracious to share the story behind his creations. It felt like a private tour even if entirely accidental.

The artist cleverly utilized Filipino cultural icons like the kalesa, the jeepney, the taho vendor, along with recognizable sceneries of fiesta and EDSA highway as the grounding elements as he paints his answers to the question “WHAT IF?”

What it it snowed in EDSA? Well then jeepney passengers should be wearing furcoats.

What if jeepneys fly and hover? Then high flying-overtakes will surely take place.

”Is that a Dyson sphere?”
”Yes sir, nahuli mo yun ah. Kasi nga futuristic. So what if. Kaya may geostorm din.”

This moment right here was the turning point in our conversation where he started to open up more about his process and perspective. Late nights of binge watching sci-fi stuff finally paid off.

”How much of it was coming from curiosity and how much was stemming from frustration?”
”Balanced.” He said.
”I wanted to show a balance of it. “

”When you paint nowadays, do you paint thinking that it will be for an exhibit?”
”Do you still paint for yourself?”

”Exhibit na, kasi matagal gawin, months po, pero meron pa din akong ginagawa na para sakin lang.”

”How do you create a painting? How much of it was planned and how much was added as a final touch?”

“Medyo Banksy yun ah”

”It started as a sketch, pero itong plastic na banko, dinagdag ko nalang. May mga binawas din ako.”

What was not seen in the picture above was the drain at the bottom. I asked him if it was a late addition but he said no. It was part of the initial sketch to highlight the ephemeral nature of the JRizal graffiti, adjacently juxtaposed by the slogan “HEROES DON’T DIE”.

“Sir artist ka din ba? do you paint”

Which I quickly dismissed with.

“Hindi po maarte lang ako.”

A fitting segue to the “a reflection of Todo’s journey so far.” part of post.

Art, design, cinematography, architecture, craftsmanship, whatever you want to call the self/ish-expression of a person’s feelings, perspectives, and idealisms. Let’s refer to this thing as art to save pixels.

Art has been something that I simultaneously embrace and deny prior to Todo.

"Hindi po maarte lang ako.” was an example of the numerous pre-meditated response whenever a stranger ask me about my inclination towards the field.

Until Todo.

In a way, it is a result of my imagination with a dash of frustration. An answer to my questions:

”What if I can create art for a living?”
”What would a video content look like if it was designed and grounded on impact?”
”What if I pursue my creative freedom through the facade of a media company?”

Self-serving? Definitely.

That’s why 10-months since we started seemed not that long. That’s why long hours of editing and re-editing was embraced. That’s why guest-cancellations and negative comments hit harder.

Todo is a love-letter to myself, to my co-founders, and to people who appreciate the little details. All of those kaartehan grounded on the positive societal impact we strive to achieve.

Moving forward, here’s what to expect in Kwentong Todo

- Stories we stumbled upon and random musings that emerged from our adventures.
- Job openings from our partner organizations.
- Distills of the past week with our guests, interviews, and coverages.
- Random exciting stuff we discovered.

To those who resonate with our kaartehan, thank you in advance.
- Todo Team

*Thanks Ly for the pics!

Leave a comment

Subscribe now