Spotted Art: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines
Bonifacio Global City – a section of Taguig City in metro Manila, Philippines. Welcome to the epitome of paradise, sunshine & palm trees. Once a military base (a.k.a. Fort Bonifacio), it has now transformed into a thriving city full of colorful murals, bringing all kinds of music, entertainment, and art to the community.
After 10 years of distance, I was finally able to visit my homeland and my family. Being the street art nerd that I am, I found the perfect art spots that I just had to share with you.
Here are just some of the gems to save up that money and to travel overseas for:
“Between the Lines” by Cyrcle: Located at the Icon Plaza off of 7th Ave. & 26th Ave, this floating astronaut caught my eye, the disruptive neon green lines creating tension with the meticulously detailed illustration. It’s nestled in a perfect spot where food markets lay underneath, so you can stare at it in awe while grubbing on some good ol’ Filipino cuisine.
“Wonderland” by Faile: This vibrant collage of colors, typography texture, and the chick pretty much depict my adult life; couch potato-ing it up with a good magazine and TV. It’s located off 26th Street, corner of 5th Ave. The building has a large patch of land with enough room for jumping in the air photographs with friends (believe me – we totally did this!)
“Araw + Ulap + Laro = Saya” by The Mighty Bhutens: This playful mosaic can be found right in the shopping plaza heart of BGC. It’s the perfect example of a child’s imagination with the rabbit-shaped clouds and colorful palette. The fact that its sculptures are intertwined with the grassy environment to add more depth make it stand out even more to passersby.
“The Trees” by Reynato Paz Contreras: Probably my absolute favorite piece of the park, this sculpture was absolutely gorgeous. Set right in the center of an art festive (hence those large #2 pencil easels in the background), the art piece became the musical hub for a local band entertaining the crowd. The branches formed into a sphere to represent the circle of life relationship between nature & humans. Definitely a great way to remind everybody about preserving the environment.
Pop Art mural by AkaCORLEONE: Livening up the buildings along Bonifacio High Street, this mural totally caught my graphic designer eye with its bold colors, crazy patterns, simple color palette, and icons galore. It’s most definitely a Pop Art inspired piece that I can get down with.
Mother Nature: Four Seasons by Dee Jae Pa’este: Right across from AkaCorleone’s piece, this 4-walled art mural was one of the most intricate, organic illustration pieces I saw walking along Bonifacio High Street. The best part was how it was placed opposite of above’s pop-art piece, showcasing the diversity in art techniques this city has to offer.
Do you know about any other hidden art gems in the Philippines that are must-see’s? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
Like what you see? “Spotted Art” is a series for the Threadless Blog by Elisha-Rio Apilado as she documents her travels through street art. Check out the previous “Spotted Art” installment, “Spotted Art: Seattle, Washington.“
