First Sculpture Garden in The Philippines

(Right) Arch. Arsing playing with his dog as he welcomed us during our stay in his place. (Top Left) Gallery of his art works. (Left) Guestbook signed bu Billy Abueva declaring his garden as the first sculpture garden in the country.

Tongo, one of the mountainous barangay of the town of San Fernando, kept a garden declared by national artist Napoleon “Billy” Abueva in the guestbook of Arch. Arsenio “Arsing” Abella as the first sculpture garden of the Philippines.

It is located in a family-owned resort, SingLi Mountain Resort –combined name of Arsing and Lilia.

The couple lives in Tongo for 13 years now. They said that they searched for the perfect place where they could relax, unwind and retreat from the buzz of city life.

Arsing’s sculptures were made from scrap metals in abstract designs. His sculptures were his expression from the constraints of his work and freedom to do what he wants with no inhibitions.

“Kung nganong ingon ana ako style tungod man gud sa akong profession nga architect. First, ang architect daghan kaayog constraint, function…dili man ka kabuhat og ingon ani nga irrational or nothing, walay pulos,” said Arsing.

His guest house can also accommodate visitors on special arrangements. It also has a little art gallery where Arch. Arsing displays his paintings in watercolor.

Indeed, this town is not just proud of its sites, heritage and cultural traditions but as well as of the great people that made San Fernando what it is today.

(Left) A unique chair that has also been featured in a local newspaper. (Top Left) Me in a souvenir photo with his artworks. (Left) SingLi, the family's garden resort.

Inside the master's humble abode. Walay kalay kuryente coz he designed it to be sunlight friendly.

Posing with Arch. Arsing

Java's Art House

In the town of San Fernando, a family full of talent took our attention when were there for a feature shoot.

San Fernando is an artist’s haven. Unknown to many, it is home to two great artists in sculpture (which I will be featuring later) and painting.

The Java Art House located in Brgy. Sangat showcases painting and sculptures of Christopher Java Sr. and of his children, Tope and Isay. A bust of Gov. Gwen Garcia and sculptures of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos and Sen. Sergio Osmeña III were just some of his prized artworks.

During the One Cebu Expo early this year, Christopher Java Sr.’s sculpture of Gov. Garcia in concrete casting was exhibited in the fair.

He is known for his paintings but just last October (2008) he started his concrete casting works.

“Pintor man ko, niya daghan na kayo ming pintor. Dinhi sa Cebu, murag nakit-an nako nga wala na bitaw kaayo ang mga maayo sa sculpture,” said Java Sr.

Adjacent to the art house, the family’s residence is also a work of art with its ceiling made of artworks and interiors decorated with sculpted decors, paper-mâché and paintings.