2 Cover Story the Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 17, 2012
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2 cover story The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 17, 2012 Philip Lumbang stands beside one of his murals of his famed Awesome Bear motif. This particular work is entitled “Friends” Photo from philiplumbang.com by MICO LETARGO OS ANGELES—Mention the term ‘street art’ to a non-art enthusiast in Los Angeles, and the common connotation that they would come up with is that this art form is gang-related graffiti found on decrepit walls around the metropolis. Street art, as L they would brashly generalize, is quickly and callously associated with vandalism and subversive underground cultures. However, mention that to any self-respecting artist or art lover, and you would get a scowl for your rude remark. You see, street art is loosely defined as an emerging visual art form that is “in the streets.” ArtRepublic.com calls it as “any art developed in public spac- es.” It goes on to state that this art form “can include traditional graffiti art work, as well as stencil graffiti, sticker art, wheatpasting and street poster art, video projection, art intervention, guerilla art, flash mobbing, and street installations.” ArtRadarJournal.com further explains that street art is an “amorphous beast encompassing art which is found in or inspired by the urban environment. With anti-capitalist and rebellious undertones, it is a democratic form of popular public art probably best understood by seeing it in in situ(ation).” So for Philip Lumbang, a rising Fil-Am artist pursuing the me- dium, it would be a terrible shame to label his works as “gang-re- lated graffiti found on decrepit walls.” After all, his central piece, the Awesome Bear, is an icon that he himself pointed out as one that seeks to promote peace and racial understanding – a topic which could be considered as a key concept for Filipinos in the United States. First generation Fil-Am “I’m full Filipino,” Philip proudly declares in an interview with the Los Angeles Asian Journal. “My parents, they’re both Kapampangan,” the 26-year-old added, “So I’m a first generation here. They immigrated here and I was born here. (sic)” Philip, for a non-Tagalog speaking Filipino, is still immensely proud of his cultural roots. He says that it is “nice being able to rep” his nationality. For those unfamiliar with the jargon, by “rep,” Philip meant “represent.” “Growing up, I had a very big Filipino influence,” Philip con- fessed. “There [are] my family, and my friends. And then there’s my Dad, all of his brothers and sisters live within 10-15 miles of each other. So that was a strong family. And most of my friends grow- ing up were Filipino,” he added. When asked about how he feels when fellow Pinoys express their appreciation for his art, Philip says that “it’s always a plea- sure.” He finds it “cool” that Filipinos are enjoying and recogniz- Street artist Philip Lumbang at his exhibit at the LA Art Walk in Downtown Los Angeles AJPress Photo by Mico Letargo ing his art form. “I’m just here to make people smile,” Philip expresses. very long until Philip began receiving requests for commissions For some reason, Philip kept drawing the bear over and over Awesome Bear and an awesome perspective on his bear motif. Effectively, the bear took on a life of its own. again. Philip’s street art depicts a central theme of a smiling black, “I had people calling me up, asking for commissions,” says “He was making me smile,” says Philip about his bear image, polar, or panda bear that looks peaceful and friendly. TheDaily- Philip, “Like, ‘Hey you know, I’m white, and my wife is black. And “The next thing I knew, I had four, five pages full of bears. And it Truffle.com describes Lumbang’s work as “humorous bears” that we have a baby together, and we really love your print. And it was like, ‘maybe I’m onto something.’” have become frequent sights on the streets of LA; grinning back just means so much to us.’” Philip, who took up graphic design at the California Art Insti- at passers-by and generating ‘good vibes.’ Philip explains that his artwork is his reaction to all the nega- tute, went on to pursue a profession as a graphic designer later The California native explains that his works – even those that tivity and violence being portrayed in the mainstream media. In on. He felt that executing designs for other people’s ideas didn’t do not depict his Awesome Bear motif – are all geared towards his perspective, racial divide is a barrier that the human race has really suit his preference. expressing a message of peace and cultural tolerance in a diverse to overcome. Philip admitted that he is happy to have carved a niche for American society. “The way I see it, we’re all people at the end of the day,” himself as an artist. He says that although he can draw almost “Growing up in Sacramento, California, it was a very diverse Philip says. According to him, it does not matter whether you anything he wants, the success he enjoys with the Awesome Bear city,” Philip narrates, “I grew up in that diversity. I relished in it. are Filipino, Mexican, Black, or Chinese, or of any other ethnic motif made him embrace his niche even more. And it was really awesome just to be around all these different descent. Having met many peers and colleagues, Philip has learned to ethnicities, learning from each other.” “We’re all humans and we all bleed the same blood,” Philip work with fellow street artists and other groups to promote his “I’ve always been an open-minded person, and I’ve never adds, “I think that’s kind of where the world is headed. It’s like art. He is currently collaborating with clothing boutique Street second-guessed anything like that (racial diversity). And that’s just we’re all going to be mixed in some way, whether you know it or Dreams, and has a licensing deal with a t-shirt company in Japan. the way I grew up.” not.” Philip is a Fil-Am artist with Filipino parents, and a Portu- Philip is also working on a new website where he will feature Looking back on the origins of his Awesome Bear motif, Philip guese grandmother, who was raised in the Philippines. more of his works. describes how it all started as a joke. “I drew this thing, and “We’re all part of the same melting pot. That’s the whole big On October 18, Philip, together with another street artist, it was a polar bear, and a black bear, and it was an equation, a idea behind my artwork,” Philip summarizes, “And really, it’s just Becca, will open their collaborative show at the Lab Art Gallery mathematical equation,” Philip recalls, “It was like a polar bear to make people smile, and to help people focus on the positive along La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles. Entitled Babes & Bears, the plus a black bear, equals a panda bear.” things in life.” exhibit will run until November 15. “So I thought that was really funny,” he says, “And I was just A collaborative approach The Daily Truffle describes Becca’s work as “ubiquitous, being a smart aleck, I guess.” Philip reveals that he started drawing his bear motif about carefree images of women, girls & animals” that “adds a feminine After releasing posters and a series of street art campaigns, four years ago. As someone who spent most of his time drawing touch to a primarily male dominated art form.” Philip was surprised to see that people took a liking to his work and sketching, Philip just found himself one day doodling a bear “There are hundreds of people that draw bears out there,” and developed their own meaning to Awesome Bear. It wasn’t figure. Philip relates, “But mine is unique in its own special way.” FUNFARE Eraserheads 2012 Reunion Tour in Hollywood by RICARDO F. LO Philstar.com by MICO LETARGO Canada on Oct. 19 and in Jersey City, NJ fering from prior health issues and extreme AJPress on Oct. 20. The next two stops of the fatigue, had to be rushed to the hospital LOS ANGELES —No less than the most tour are again expected to draw capacity after the first set – effectively cancelling the Out to lunch with Anna Maria renowned Original Filipino Music (OPM) crowds, just like they did in the Palladium. rest of the night’s show. The band went FortY-EIght hours after she rock-alternative band Eraserheads drew A band that has arguably reached onstage once again in March 2009 for what and her parents, Artie Perez de capacity crowd at the Hollywood Palladium legendary status in OPM music lore, the was dubbed as The Final Set at the SM Mall Tagle (son of the legendary Sylvia on Sunset Blvd. on Saturday, Oct. 13. Eheads disbanded in 2002. Before Satur- of Asia grounds in Pasay City. La Torre) and Evelyn Enriquez, Band members Ely Buendia (vocals/gui- day’s show, the band was in San Francisco On Saturday night in LA, the OPM rock Broadway’s newest sensation tar), Raimund Marasigan (drums), Buddy on Friday night for their first performance icons were once again in perfect form as Anna Maria Perez de Tagle Zabala (bass), and Marcus Adoro (lead in the 2012 US tour, produced by Rising they took center stage in Hollywood. They showed no signs of jetlag from guitar) flew in from the Philippines on Oct.