My nephew Kyle visited us last week as he was on a two-week mini vacation from school. It was also just in time for Tita Fe's birthday, so together with his sister, Kyla they were able to join us for the celebration. While we were at the birthday dinner last Wednesday, another auntie, Tita Vinda mentioned that Kyle has always wanted to visit an art gallery in my hometown, Nemiranda Arthouse.
Upon hearing that, an idea immediately got in my mind. As soon as we got home, I made a mental note to inquire how we can visit the place. But as luck would have it, my former classmate, Don Miranda (whose dad owns the gallery) reacted on the photo I posted on my social media account. It prompted me to send him a message to ask a few questions, and inform him of our plan to visit and see the artworks.
Upon reaching Nemiranda Arthouse, we were met by one of their staff, Ms. Tanya who gave us a few information related to the art gallery, as well as their house rules. The place is adorned with relief murals of mythical creatures of Filipino folklore, and can be explored in less than an hour. Despite being a resident of Angono for decades, it was actually my first time to visit the place (and it's a shame, I know!). And true to the sense of the word, museums and art galleries are gems, because the place not only housed huge paintings and recent artworks. They also have newspaper articles and Sir Nemi's paintings that dates back to the 70s. There was also a part of the gallery that had the works of his children.
Kyle only wanted to visit and see the gallery. But unknown to him, I was secretly manifesting that we would be able to meet Sir Nemi during our visit. And I guess, the Universe was eavesdropping on me because a few minutes into our museum trip, we met him, and my former classmate Don (that was why we had this photo). Kyle even had the chance to have a short conversation with Sir Nemi. Talk about a core memory for the books for an art-loving Manileño to bring home with him to Manila.
We also met Sir Nemi's daughter, Keiye Miranda-Tuazon (who I met after college through the late Sir Richard Gappi of Neo-Angono Artists Collective). After explaining their ongoing improvements at Nemiranda Arthouse, she invited Kyle and I to Giant Dwarf Art Space, another art gallery which is located along Manila East Road.
Once Kyle was done exploring the artworks exhibited at Giant Dwarf Art Space, I brought him to R Cafe, a coffee shop that I discovered during Christmas last year to get our afternoon caffeine fix. I may not be good with artworks and visual art since I am into a different art form, but at least, my nephew and I share something in common: our fixation for coffee!
We spent a good two hours chilling out and discussing about a lot of things including school, and what youngsters do nowadays. I am already a "Millennial Auntie" to a number of nieces and nephews, but I rarely get to bond with them because of our locations and schedules. So, it's a good thing that I had the chance to spend time with them whenever they are in town to visit. In the end, I want to think it has been a day for the books. For Kyle, because he finally visited an place on his list, and for me because I have another worthwhile core memory to contribute to the personal project that I am taking seriously this year.
