24/05/2025
Arko Ni Apo (Ark of the Lord) is a title given to a series of artistic creations that my father started and eventually handed down to the next generation. He was an Art educator and a visual artist. He shared his talent by teaching art in Ateneo de Manila grade school from 1962 – 1992. Towards the end of his 30 years of service, he wanted to include all of his students in an art exhibition that will showcase each of the students’ papier mache’ animal sculptures, unlike in the previous years where only a select few were given a chance to show their works. For this particular exhibition, a much bigger venue is needed but Ben-Hur was denied of his request. He was inspired by the story of Noah in the bible that he planned of building an ark big enough that it can take in all the artworks of his students. Despite the odds, Ben–Hur was able to build the ark that was made of bamboo and other indigenous materials. It was mounted on the rock garden of the grade school and became a university wide event.
After his retirement, he offered his services to a school for the visually impaired. The school is called Ephpheta and it is located at Project 4, Quezon City. He shared his talent by conducting art workshops and exhibitions. It was also after retiring when he became the president of the Society of Philippine Sculptors. His visually impaired students were the very first to exhibit their clay sculptures at the Manila Hotel. The exhibit was opened by the wife of former President Fidel Ramos, the then first lady Mrs. Ming Ramos.
It was 1998 when both my parents decided to move to Baguio and put up an Art Gallery. 1999 came and my father was invited to an outdoor sculpture exhibition at Greenbelt Park, Makati City entitled Philippine Sculptures 1999. Instead of making the usual sculptural art piece made from metal, stone or wood, he collaborated with me and Architect Agi Pagkatipunan and built a 20foot high Igorot inspired hut. This was the second Arko ni Apo Art Installation. Since that this event happened during the La Nina period, the concept thought of was about a hut that can be transformed into a raft. The bamboo flooring of the hut was just pegged to its posts so when the flood waters reached this part of the hut, the pegs will be released and the raft will set afloat. It was highly improbable for us to bring along animal life like what Noah did so we asked for seed donations instead. Part of the concept was to plant the collected seeds as soon as the raft sets foot on land. At first, only family and friends donated seeds until we received one sackful of asparagus seeds all the way from Chile. We didn’t realize that this work will create an impact like this. We distributed these seeds so more people will be able to plant them and benefit from it. Some went to San Mateo, Rizal, some in Marikina, Montalban, Laguna, and lastly Baguio City.
This is where the current Arko ni Apo stands. It is no longer an art installation or a sculptural piece but a quaint and welcoming art gallery where one will find quite a homey, simple and at times a quirky space because it is also our humble abode. Our passion in expressing ourselves by producing works of art and sharing our talents by inspiring those who would like to explore the world of arts continue. Thank you for appreciating our family’s way of celebrating life through the arts here in Arko ni Apo Art Gallery. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (All for the Greater Glory of God).
By Bumbo Villanueva
May 21, 2025
Arko ni Apo Art Gallery
Baguio City, Philippines
