‘Women Rise’ this month

LAST DAY This art exhibit featuring female artists runs until March 12 at R1 level of Power Plant Mall. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

For Zonta Club of Makati and Environs (ZMCE), BDO Private Bank is just the right kind of partner it needs to advance its advocacy for the uplift and empowerment of women.

Maritess Pineda of Arte Fino, former ZCME president and chair of the organization’s ways and means committee, points out that BDO Unibank Inc. is an active proponent of women empowerment. It has a woman board chair, Tessie Sy-Coson, and several women in management positions.

For ZCME’s projects to help and support women, Pineda says BDO lives up to its slogan, “We find ways.”

Sy-Coson’s having a talented artist daughter, whose works are in high demand, also made ZCME’s current project up her alley.

ZCME, BDO Private Bank and Gallerie Joaquin have partnered for “Women Rise,” an art exhibit featuring female artists, to mark the annual Women’s Month. The exhibit at the R1 level, South Court, Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati, ends on March 12.Part of the proceeds of the exhibit, which features more than 30 works in different media from known and aspiring artists, will support three long-term ZCMEs projects for women.

Artist Katrina Cuenca, who admits she had experienced some of the difficulties Filipino women have to overcome, says she’s excited to be part of an all-woman show while ZCME’s former president Carol Llanillo, who is showcasing her geisha paintings, says the exhibit showcases women’s talent, artistry and skill.

Estela Cabalatungan—BDO Private Bank executive vice president for wealth management group and whose membership in ZCME paved the way for the current collaboration—says the company has supported the advocacy of Zonta and the projects it is funding.

The program beneficiaries of the exhibit are: ZCME Psychological Center for abused women and girls in Marillac Hills, Muntinlupa City; Empowering Women Scholarship Program for graduating women engineering students at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila; and Food Share Program, a platform for community-building by using collaborative work to resolve poverty-related issues.

Pineda says Zonta’s goal is to empower women and build a better world for women and girls. The regular art shows aim to develop women artists and help them gain access to the market.

Cabalatungan says BDO Private Bank “is all about legacy,” hence its collaboration with ZCME for the show dovetails with its objectives. Art “is a good investment. [It is part] of the legacy, heritage, people can leave their families”.

And the exhibit “is a good way to recognize women’s contribution to society and (showcase) their talent,” an advocacy of the financial institution, she adds.

“Women Rise” features the works of Olivia D’Aboville, Barbara Angeles, Jo Balbarona, Charming Baldemor, Karina Baluyut, Caress Banson, Jovan Benito, Jesusa Calanasan, Ape Castillo, Cuenca, Enon de Belen, Aileen Lanuza, Jenny Leviste, Llanillo, April Lopez, Rafaelle Louise, Claudia Luz, Raisa Luz, Rona Manansala, Ann Moneda, Maridi Nivera, Marge Organo, Erlinda Panlilio, Ada Panopio, Jax Pasimio, Victoria Pollisco, Isah Rodillo, Wendy Rondaris, Camille de la Rosa, Loida Tan, Haraya Tejido, Camille Ver, Migs Villanueva, Melissa Yeung Yap, MM Yu, Vicky Zubiri and Wence Zyl.

—Contributed