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I wish I was in Manila for the official opening of the country’s first-ever mural-centric arts festival, Arts BGC Next Act ONE Festival, wherein artists began to draw their murals in designated walls around Bonifacio Global City (BGC) on May 22, 2015. But, good thing I have a chance to catch up, since it’s a 9-day art festival that will last until May 30, Saturday. The country’s leading mobile brand, Globe Telecom, partnered with Bonifacio Arts Foundation, Inc. (BAFI) in coming up with different activities for the public to enjoy during this festival that will transform iconic walls around BGC into artistic spaces with larger than life murals.

An explosion of colors and sounds of live music will fill the landscapes of BGC during this week-long event that brings internationally-acclaimed artists to the Philippines to paint murals across BGC’s cityscape. The aim is to showcase the inclusive nature of public art by creating murals that can be enjoyed by the entire city of Manila as well as an international audience. I can’t wait to see all of the murals in my favorite place in Manila!

The first ever arts festival of its kind is done in collaboration with an LA-based art consultancy, LeBasse Projects, most known for their works in USA and Asia. Multidisciplinary artists FAILE, Nate Frizzell, CYRCLE, Drew Merritt, AKA Corleone, and Kristin Farr will transform iconic BGC walls into artistic spaces with new murals.

Their creations will come to life on the building walls of One Global Place, Bonifacio Technology Center, Icon Plaza, C1 Building Bonifacio High Street Central, The Palace Pool Club, all the way to the smaller facades of Bonifacio High Street in BGC. View the festival map below.

Today, May 27, more art and musical experiences await visitors and participants. Guests can drop by any of the locations any time from today up to May 30 to watch these mural artists paint nonstop. The art-centric event will showcase live painting from 16 local artists accompanied by music from DJs and bands like Severo, Zombettes, She’s Only Sixteen, Techy Romantics, and Taken By Cars.

The festival, which is open to the public, will also feature pop-up restaurants and interesting art activities, including freedom wall painting, photography contests, tours, and a public film fest. And as the event comes to a close on the afternoon of May 30, a closing party directed by Paolo Valenciano will be held at Bonifacio High Street Central Amphitheater, complete with food, music, and fun.

“Globe is very excited to be part of this endeavor as part of our continuing The NextACT campaign which marked the launch of our GEN3 stores last year to transform the retail experience of our customers. It is very fitting to spearhead this year’s Art BGC NextACT ONE Festival together with our partners from BAFI as it breathes life to what ACT is all about: Art, Community, and Technology. These three elements are the anchor of the country’s first-ever mural-centric arts festival which brings together a community of artists and art communities here and abroad,” said Joe Caliro, Head of Retail Transformation and Management at Globe.

For details and updates, visit artbgc.com/one.

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