Multi-awarded artists Kristine Lim and Jonathan Manalo collaborate to make waves with “Kuwento Ng Alon.”
Missionary visual artist Kristine Lim has interpreted OPM figure Jonathan Manalo’s songs as a series of artworks and art installations.
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The multivenue and multicountry art exhibition and art book is known as “Kuwento Ng Alon” (As Told By The Waves). It celebrates Manalo’s 20th year in the industry as a composer, producer, and songwriter.
The creators will first stage the art exhibit at Art Lounge Manila from September 28 to October 11. They will then proceed to Newport World Resorts from October 15 to 20.
Finally, the exhibit will make its international tour from October 2022 to September 2023. Its path includes Australia, Canada, China, Dubai, France, Japan, London, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States.
Meanwhile, the Kuwento Ng Alon art book consists of Lim’s artworks. It also includes essays written by Lim and Manalo, Revelation City Church lead pastor Monique Lopez-Ong, Art Lounge Manila managing director Cindel Tiausas, art critic Cid Reyes, and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.
Tide turner
Waves serve as the central imagery that ties the whole project together. This is because the emotions and sound, as expressed in Manalo’s music, coincidentally travels by the waves.
“Our archipelago of more than seven thousand islands, is connected by waves generated by our seas. And Filipinos all over the world and from all times, both literally and metaphorically, traveled by them as we spread out through the world in search of livelihood for families in the home country, or permanently in the search of a better life. Kuwento ng Alon is the story of our people, rendered in song and in visual art, by Jonathan Manalo and Kristine Lim. And it is ultimately a story of grace, faith, hope, and most importantly, Love,” the project describes.
The faith-centered Manalo and Lim both come from missionary backgrounds. Consequently, they ensured that the project will “be a way to move as led by the Divine.”
They also wish to extend help to others as part of the proceeds will go to four beneficiaries. Namely, these are ABS-CBN Foundation, Artists on a Mission Workshop, OM Philippines, and Sustainable PH.
‘Unprecedented and historic’
Lim and Manalo officially launched their collaboration project on September 27 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Here, they released Kuwento Ng Alon‘s official theme song of the same name.
The event featured a range of distinguished guests from various sectors. These included Senator Mark Villar, Congressman Anthony Golez MD, CCP President Margie Moran-Floirendo, former Senator Atty. Joey Lina, Pasay Councilors Mark Calixto and Joey Calixto, Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo, Manila Councilor Uno Lim, and Honorable Jaime Jasper Lao Lim (Kristine’s husband), to name a few.
Heads of Kuwento Ng Alon beneficiaries also shared their messages during the event. These included Berta Lopez Feliciano-Ong and Ernie Lopez of ABS-CBN Foundation, Shawntel Nieto of Sustainable PH, Lita Teodosio of OM Philippines, and Celine Tojos of Artist on a Mission Program.
For more information, KuwentoNgAlon.com, or follow Kuwento Ng Alon (@KuwentoNgAlon) on social media.
Photo & Art Direction EQUINOX MANILA
Hair & Make Up SASA GUIDOTTI
Grooming SASA GUIDOTTI
Styling SASA GUIDOTTI
Location LA UNION
