Art take Center Stage

What we thought to be a tour of a gallery, turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and educational interview with an artist I have now come to admire. As one of our last stops in our San Pablo tour, our group decided to deviate from our nature bounded trip and headed on to a more art-immersed trip. We decided to head on to Barrio Sta. Ana to experience a more relaxed yet stimulating adventure.

Upon entering the gate of Carlito Ortega’s compound, we were greeted by a stunning abode, similar to a plantation home of South America, filled with different flowering plants and lofty trees. The house help of Sir Ortega led us to a quaint room filled with brass sculptures and chandeliers, where we were to have our snack of sticky rice soup and their famous rice coffee. After our delicious snack, we went to the workshop of Sir Ortega, where we met the famous artist himself.

As we sat down watching him make a sculpture of a ‘tikbalang’, Sir Carlito gave us a little art lesson wherein he shared to us the theory of art, how art evokes reaction from a person, and how an exquisite work of art exudes beauty from the inside. Watching Sir Carlito work and hearing his words really ignited my passion for the arts. Not only that, he was a living proof that San Pablo had more than just natural attractions.

Coming from Manila, after the San Pablo border, stay on the Maharlika Highway. Watch for the kilometer marker 88 on the right side of the road. Turn right on the road a few hundred meters after the marker. This road leads to Barrio Sta. Ana. Follow this road for 1.4 kilometers and you will see a gate to your right with the sign Carlito’s.    Here are pictures from our gallery