BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Highly acclaimed Filipino artist Fernando Kabigting, 83, opened his second solo exhibition in Bacolod City at the Acacia Hotel Monday, and will run until Saturday.
The opening of his show titled “Kabigting at Prime” was led by Rotary Club of Marapara-Bacolod president Lanie Ferrer, and had MassKara Festival national honorary chairman Jojie Dingcong, Andy and Jannette Gonzaga, as guests of honor.
Kabigting, a self-taught artist, is well known for his paintings on antique wooden batya, featuring daily life and scenery from the Philippines.
His wife, Ma. Carmen, said behind her husband’s artwork is the story of an artist’s struggles and triumphs at his second chance at life and how his art enabled him to transcend from the physical effects of a paralyzing set back in 1999 to an even more meaningful existence in this world.
“This is to us a moment of thanksgiving, indeed, ” she said.
In 2019, he had his farewell exhibit at the Philippine Center in New York after living there for over 20 years. He wanted to be here in his native land, Ma. Carmen said.
Part of the proceeds of the show will fund the numerous future projects of Rotary Club of Marapara-Bacolod.*
