Mag:net News
Year-end

XMAS SHOW LAST/ONLY DAY FOR VIEWING IS THURSDAY, 3 JAN
The feedback of this show is overwhelmingly favorable, "it's a good
show" that must not be missed, a sort of a year-ender for Mag:net
Gallery and its artists. The target was to gather 80 artists. 72
confirmed but we came up with 62 and even with that number this year's
Mag:net Xmas Show as expected, has been successful in providing that
window to survey what's up with Philippine contemporary art today.
While most of the artists included have been exhibited by Mag:net in
the last 5 years there are a few who are showing in Mag:net for the
first time. Curated by Nilo Ilarde (and revised 4 times), the show
could easily be one of Mag:net's best for the year- all the works are
new by artists from different generations which include the father of
Philippine avant-gardism Roberto Chabet, senior artists like Nestor
Vinluan, Junyee, Gus Albor, Roy Veneracion and Lito Carating, soon to
be seniors Cesare Syjuco, Pewee Roldan, Benjie Cabangis and Rock
Drilon, midlife ones like Gerry Tan, Pardo de Leon, Reg Yuson, Felix
Bacolor, Juan Alcazaren and Bernardo Pacquing, 30-somethins Yasmin
Sison, Wire Tuazon, Ringo Bunoan, Jonathan Olazo and Mariano Ching,
young stars Jason Oliveria, Poklong Anading, Argie Bandoy, Bembol de
la Cruz, Alvin Villaruel and MM Yu and Mag:net's first-timers of the
year Robert Langenegger, Bea Camacho, Gina Osterloh, Pancho
Villanueva, Batosang Araut and Ria Munoz. The list is just too long,
sorry guys. Don't forget, last and only day to view show is January 3,
Thursday 10AM-7PM. For those who'd settle on line the exhibition can
be viewed (partially)  at www.magnetgalleries.com

ROMEO RETIRES ELVIS TAKES PAINTING SERIOUSLEE
Many are wondering why the much-awaited yearly Elvis open-air concert
in UP is not happening this time of the year. Is Romeo Lee, whom
Manuel Ocampo calls "the first punk" and the man who started the
annual Elvis open-air concert some 12 years ago finally calling it
quits? We can only presume but it's definitely not the aging bones as
we still continue to experience the "wild thing" act once a month on
Lee's Night at Mag:net Katipunan. We heard, the main reason why Elvis
2006 was the last one and will never be held again is due to Lee's
disappointment after a dear friend who's like a brother to him was
subjected to grave physical injuries inflicted by a faction of the
very group who has been the beneficiary of the annual Elvis concerts.
Well we can only say, Elvis' demise is Romeo Lee the painter's growth
as he prepares for his 6th one-man show this coming January in Mag:net
Katipunan. The 6:30PM opening on 5 January will be  preceeded by a
Cinekatipunan film screening of Roxlee's "Romeo must Rock" at 5PM. It
will be Lee's Night at 9PM feat Brown Briefs, Bembol Rockers, Juan
Pablo Dream, Jeepney Joyride, FMD and more.

NCCA COMMITTEE ON GALLERIES MEETING POSTPONED
We have been invited to attend the NCCA committee on art galleries
which is postponed to next year due to lack of quorum. It's
understandable why the lukewarm response from the gallery world- many
think it's a futile exercise. In case we miss the next meeting we may
suggest to NCCA, that if it is sincerely interested in collaborating
with the galleries next year it could start on its own by working on 5
concrete projects: 1) Start of monthly publication and distribution of
museum/gallery calendar with location map similar to what Paris-based
Sandra Palomar did 2 years ago, 2) Allocate 80% of its grants in
support of artists and artists groups outside of Manila, 3) Start
working with the Department of Foreign Affairs in establishing compact
maintenance-friendly art galleries attached to embassies/consulates in
LA, New York, Paris and Singapore with sustained and coordinated
programming handled by committed and knowledgeable people, 4) Start
planning towards the holding of the first Manila Biennale in 2010, 5)
Continue the "Pananaw" publications

MAG:NET AYALA AVENUE, HIGH STREET STILL ACCEPTING PROPOSALS
The soon to operate Mag:net Gallery Ayala Avenue and The Wall at
Mag:net High Street are still in the process of completing its
programming for 2008. Those interested can still submit proposals to
(for 1st timers:) Mag:net Katipunan at 335 Agcor Building, Katipunan
Avenue Quezon City or magnetgalleries@gmail.com or if you're a gallery
artist you may text 01972091824. Mag:net Katipunan 2008 is fully
booked but is now starting to accept proposals for 2009 (We are proud
to announce as confirmed by Eva Florentino, David Medalla will be in
it.)
Mag:net Gallery Katipunan line-up for 2008:
5-24 Jan Romeo Lee
26 Jan-14 Feb  Poklong Anading
16 Feb-6 Mar MM Yu
8-27 Mar Jayson Oliveria
29 Mar- 17Apr Pete Jimenez
19 Apr-8 May Robert Langenegger
10-29 May Yasmin Sison
31 May-19 Jun Pardo de Leon
21 Jun-10 Jul Group Show (Curated by Roberto Chabet)
12-31 Jul Jucar Raquepo / Alvin Villaruel
2-21 Aug Manuel Ocampo
23 Aug-11 Sep Gerardo Tan
13 Sep-2 Oct Bernardo Pacquing
4-23 Oct Juan Alcazaren
25 Oct-13 Nov Ranelle Dial
15 Nov-4 Dec Roberto Chabet
6-18 Dec Sat Lyle Buencamino
20 Dec-8 Jan Nestor Vinluan

MAG:NET COMPLETE CONTACTS IN 2008:
For reservations, parties and packages: Mag:net Katipunan 929.3191;
0921.668.1279 / Mag:net High Street 856.3400; 0916.458.5554
For Gig Bookings: Mag:net Katipunan 0920.488.3684 / Mag:net High
Street 0917.538.2154
For Cinekatipunan Bookings: 0919.256.8379
For Hanging-out Classes Inquires: 0917.894.1886
For Mag:net Galleries  Inquiries (Katipunan, High Street, Ayala
Avenue, CR Gallery, Poets' Alcove, Backroom) 92931.91; 0917.209.1824
Email:
magnetgalleries@gmail.com (gallery)
magnetcafegroup@gmail.com (café)
Website:
www.magnetgalleries.com (gallery)
www.magnet.com.ph (café)
Mailing:
Mag:net Katipunan: 335 Agcor Building, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola
Heights, Quezon City 1105
Mag:net High Street: B3 High Street, 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City 1600
Mag:net Ayala Avenue (to operate 3rd week of January): The Columns,
Ayala Avenue corner Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City 1200
Text:
To get Mag:net sched through texting, text magnetcafe and send to 2948
for Globe and Sun users and 3940 for Smart users.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thank you for making 2007 meaningful. Thank you for the support and
for being there despite the struggles and difficulties. We're looking
forward to more collaboration and mutual involvement and a more
dynamic and successful Mag:net Art Triangle (Katipunan, High Street
and Ayala Avenue) in 2008. Wishing you all the best and Happy New Year
to all!