Juan Sinamakan (kag ang mga bulong)

Juan Sinamakan

Juan Sinamakan (filipino spicy dip)
oil and acrylic on canvas
84 inches x 36 ilnches
2014

Private Collection | Iloilo, Philippines

“Juan Sinamakan kag ang mga bulong” features representations of our rich, complex, and complicated, major socio-political issues in the country and the beautiful reminders of our culture. Up close, you can see an ati (indigenous tribe man), a rich Chinese businessman, the plight of sharecroppers and farmers, the Philippine Eagle, pawikan, Juan Tamad, pollution, influence of religion, little kids flying with black balloons, flying through a paper aeroplane, etc. all mixed up with the spices inside a re- used Tanduay bottle – kutitot, ahos, langgaw, langkawas (the major spicies that make this local dip spicy and hot). Each image, vivid and detailed representing a clamor, a problem, a cause of turmoil. The bottle is open but we choose to get stuck inside. It is as if we know what the problems are, we do recognize them consciously but we, as a nation, does not have the determination to conquer them. And outside surrounding it are 8 pro-active means (I have faith in) to heal these problems if not instantly, slowly – alternative learning/education, good parenting, art appreciation, barter, environmental love and care, investing on collective long-term goals, valuing our roots, and cultivating community spirit. All these “bulong” or remedies are represented by atmospheric abstract paintings.

written by Kristine Buenavista

detail 1

Juan Sinamakan detail 2