Running on a treadmill can be more convenient than running outdoor. But it doesn’t give you the view and the randomness of the latter. So for almost a month now, I, together with some friends, have decided to squeeze in at least one day of an outdoor walk in a week of indoor exercise. This gives us a chance to travel to new places or revisit favorite city spots like BGC. I like going to BGC for so many reasons, one of which is how it promotes culture, pet care, and art.

To continue their art and culture initiative last year, BGC held a 10-day mural festival last month. The Festival hopes to create both a unique sense of place and build an experiential atmosphere for both local residents and international visitors to BGC. The aim is to showcase the inclusive nature of public art by creating murals that can be enjoyed by the entire city of Manila as well as international audience.

Let me share with you some of our finds from the new and old.

Dog & Pony

Nate Frizzell

Opposite direction.

Bunnie Reiss

Drew Merritt 

Cyrcle

AKA Corleone

Andrew Schoultz

Trip 63

K. F. K.

Archie & Aleili

Faile

Anjo Bolarda

Dee Jae Pa ‘Este

My fascination for street art started in college when a professor asked us to write a paper on a graffiti we find interesting. From then on I have taken notice. One of my brothers was a mural artist when he was younger. That definitely added to the interest. Maybe on a separate post, I can share some of the photos of street art I stumbled upon in the past. For now, am really glad to see a lot of it around BGC.

When we walked BGC to look for  these artworks, I noticed that not a lot turn their head. Maybe because they see it everyday. Maybe because some don’t like it. Maybe because some don’t understand it. But when I see one or two take notice, I feel that it just makes every little effort the artists and the organizers did all worth it.

Whether one passes by to start or end a day’s work, running, walking, or just enjoying the view, I know that it does something good to those who pause or slow down a little to enjoy it. Maybe inspiration, maybe a simple joy, maybe a view, a colorful view rather than just blank walls.