finding cain

I've always loved rhinos since I was very young. Fun facts: Rhinos have poor vision and they mainly rely on their strong sense of smell. Their horns are not made of bone, but of keratin, the same material found in your hair and fingernails. And, well, they communicate through honks, sneezes…and poo. A few days ago, Galerie Joaquin launched an exhibition of painted rhino sculptures which features works by Raul Isidro, Aileen Lanuza, Vince de Pio, Kat Cuenca, Richard Arimado, Jo Balbarona, Jomike Tejido, Jomar Delluba, Almer Moneda and Fitz Herrera. Unlike traditional sculptures, where the material (metal, wood, stone) often dictates the final aesthetic, the paint here is the narrative device. It transforms the raw figure into something striking. These beautiful rhino figures will be on display at Galerie Joaquin (Podium) from October 1-15, 2025.

Nothing makes my kids happier than saying we’re heading to the playground. It is a place where they get some fresh and have fun. But playgrounds are not just spaces for children to enjoy; they are also essential for social interaction, physical activity, and cognitive growth. The playground in Ayala Triangle Gardens is now open to the public, and it’s waiting to be climbed and slid on. It's an urban oasis for the young and the young at heart — a mini-obstacle course that challenges balance and encourages a little bit of good-old-fashioned dirt-and-sweat adventure. I like the shady spots, so I can enjoy my drink while my kids burn off their energy. Comfy new benches are the only thing lacking. If you have time, visit the place.

Watching this video makes me feel like a tiny and trivial organism in the face of nature's relentless power.

Image credit: Manila Bulletin Watercolor is not easy to use. It's unpredictable and hard to control. Unlike opaque paints, a slight change in the water-to-pigment ratio or the wetness of the paper can alter the outcome. But, with a lot of practice, plenty of patience, and a little bit of luck, you can create something truly beautiful. Anyway, here are some of the entries from the 37th Kulay Sa Tubig National Watercolor Competition, which was held recently at Estancia Mall in Pasig. The exhibit runs until October 27, 2025.

With a simple pen in hand, Warpsol masterfully creates whimsical robotic characters. His drawings not only inspire me but also brighten up my day. Check out some of my favorites below and explore his world at warpsol.com .

Before fatherhood found me, I edited videos for television stations and various companies. It's about digitizing clips, unearthing the perfect sequence, picking the right music, and finding the one line in a two-hour interview that the producer wants to include. On a Thursday morning during my stint at TV 5, I paid a heavy toll. It was 4 AM, and to keep up, I’d become a connoisseur of the free kapeng barako from the pantry. Piles of half-eaten fast food take out boxes, empty cans of Coke and energy drink, and abandoned coffee cups covered our desks. A single cup turned into three, then six, then eight. I had a deadline and that liberica was the only thing keeping me awake. In the corner, hunched over a pair of white headphones, was Neil, the master editor. On the other side of the room, gfx artist Ronald was silently polishing his After Effects animation. The room started to spin. I gripped the edge of my seat. Neil walked over, his eyes wide with concern, and put his hand on my s...

I first found Bethram Dacuma Alegado's work on my Facebook feed  –  a painting of an astronaut surfing on vibrant water. I clicked on her profile and fell down the rabbit hole. Beth is a self-taught artist from Toledo City, Cebu. Five years ago, she got into a freak motorcycle accident. During her recovery, she started playing around with a paintbrush, and discovered art’s therapeutic power. Beth's inspiration comes from everyday moments and nature, and her portfolio is a delightful mix of hues and emotions. However, she doesn’t let the vibrancy overwhelm the detail. Instead, the colors serve to amplify the realism, drawing you in and making you appreciate the details you might otherwise overlook. In some of her paintings, Beth pays homage to old masters, like Vermeer and da Vinci, by recreating their artworks that feature bubble wrap effect. The bubble wrap isn't a saboteur of art, but a lens that makes us look at it differently. Her work is a direct rebuttal to the grim ...

Ever walked into a gallery or scrolled through your Instagram feed and instantly recognized a painting without even reading the description? One artist who exemplifies this is Naomi Okubo . Born in Tokyo, Okubo collects images from various sources like books and magazines, scans the images, then project them onto a canvas and traces their outline. From there, she hand-paints each image. Her art explores themes such as belonging and societal pressures, and the pattern-filled paintings are full of girls who conceal their faces with their hair. Okubo earned her MFA from Musashino Art University and lived in New York for two years. She has exhibited widely in Asia, Europe, and the United States, and her work has been featured by Airbnb Magazine, Financial Times, Juxtapoz, The New Yorker, and Vanity Fair.

If you’ve been to Ayala Avenue, you likely are familiar with one of Eduardo Castrillo’s sculptures, as his massive piece, The Spirit of EDSA, sits in the middle of the RCBC Plaza courtyard. Castrillo has plenty of other impressive sculptures. From the People Power Monument along EDSA to the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila, his works are more than just bronze and steel; they are reflections of a nation's struggles, triumphs, and aspirations. Thanks to ArticulatePH for uploading these lost conversations with the renowned sculptor. It’s a chance for us to hear his own words and to understand his philosophy. These videos have been on YouTube for weeks so you may have seen them. If you did, you might want to see them again…

What kind of Christmas tree will grace our house this year? I'm thinking smaller, made of plastic, and frankly, quite expensive. I'm planning to get this new LEGO Family Christmas Tree Decoration. It has a total of 3,171 pieces and retails for $329.99. It has a small sleigh and reindeer along with seven minifigs. These include Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and five elves. Of course, there will be moments of frustration – a misplaced piece, a section collapsing, but it will be fun. This LEGO set will be more than just an ornament; it will be a testament to my family’s beautiful and chaotic holiday spirit. We'll bond, we'll laugh, and we'll probably yell a lot.  

Robert Redford was the kind of actor who made you believe in the characters he played, and in the stories he told. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on forever. My favorite of his films has to be Spy Game . Released in 2001, this movie is a masterclass in tension and dialogue – a spy flick without the futuristic gadgets and the insane stunts. And, watching him pull strings from behind a desk, is as gripping as any car chase.

Walking through Altro Mondo, Italian for “other world”, you get the sense that every piece was chosen for its ability to provoke a feeling, tell a story, or simply exist as a unique expression of human imagination. This creative space in Makati promotes young, emerging Filipino artists, along with the commercially and critically renowned. One room is filled with large, colorful paintings, another is a study in minimalism. Altro Mondo is a place to go to be reminded of what’s possible. I saw a landscape that made me want to write a book about a small town in Masbate. I saw a chaotic abstract piece that made me want to throw paint at a corrupt government official, just to see what happens. So, next time you're feeling a bit lost, find a gallery and step into a world of creativity. 

I'm not too old, but I'm definitely not young. I was born when the world was analog. I remember Batibot , cassettes, Betamax, and when Debbie Gibson was at her peak. I used a typewriter to write the first draft of my college thesis. I didn't have apps to tell me where to eat; I just wandered until I smelled something good. I'm turning 46 in a few months and, just this morning, I caught myself marveling at the simple pleasure of an empty hamper. The opinions of others start to matter less, and my own inner peace matters more. When I look in the mirror, I see a person who's been through a lot and, hopefully, has a lot more to go. I see a collector, gathering the moments, not things. I'm collecting the memory of my daughter's expression when she made that accidental ollie, and my son's face during his first bike ride. I'm grateful for the past, excited for the future, and just happy to be here for the ride.

I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, but then I saw this novel yesterday at Fully Booked. I flipped it over and tried to decipher if the synopsis is actually good or if it's just a cleverly worded collection of clichés designed to make you buy it. After a few minutes, I took it home. I finally cracked it open this morning. I'm only a few chapters in, but I'm already excited to see where this story goes. I'm already thinking about writing a full review once I'm done. Of course, that's assuming I can beat my arch-nemesis: procrastination. Crossing my fingers.

Stepping inside an art gallery is like entering a different world. The hustle of the city fades away, replaced by a quiet awe of human creativity. There's a story in every brushstroke, a voice in each sculpture - something you can never truly get from a screen. But the best part of an art gallery is the benches. They give you a place to sit and stare without anyone judging you for it.

Jinyoung Yu's art is a powerful statement about the duality of human existence – the conflict between who we are and who we pretend to be. When I look at her creations, I find myself not just admiring the form, but contemplating the meaning. At first glance, Yu's translucent figures might seem like apparitions. The South Korean artist uses plastics or transparent PVC for the body and clay for the heads, clothes, and accessories. The faces are often doll-like and mysterious, with subtle expressions of melancholy. Her art reminds me that our real power often lies in our transparency, our willingness to be seen in all our delicate, complex glory. More on her Artsy page