Approaching the exhibition in a critical and poignant manner, The Hotel Painter seeks to reclaim Abstraction’s dignity in a society that has relegated it to mere decoration. Playfully taking the hotel environment as a starting point for this type of dismissal, Olazo attempts to look at it from another angle, where the hotel instead becomes a temporary refuge for a reflection on painting.

For the exhibition, he revisits a series made in the mid-90’s called ‘The Idiot Paintings,’ which focused on experimenting with acrylic stains, wax pouring and other varnishes. Once again taking this freer and more spontaneous strategy, he concentrates on expression rather than form by methodically filling his surfaces with seductive colors and strong gestural marks. Mistakes are, therefore, encouraged and accidents celebrated.

This exhibition coincides with Erik Sausa: Sacred Spaces that is concurrently on view in the Upstairs Gallery.

For more information, call 576-5024. Manila Contemporary is open from Tuesdays to Sundays. Visit them at Whitespace 2314, Pasong Tamo Extnsion, Makati.

The show features three series of works by Drilon: recent paintings in oil on canvas, abstract drawings and nude sketches. The artist produced these three different series simultaneously, shifting between painting and drawing, figuration and abstraction.

The works in the show are an extension of Drilon’s current body of work as an abstractionist, indicated by the presence of familiar forms and the artist’s usual visual codes. Filling up the Main Gallery space are Drilon’s recent paintings, which highlight his continuing fascination and exploration of abstraction. The paintings in this series still employ forms that have appeared in his earlier works: lines, loops, brush strokes converging to form inchoate masses.

In contrast to the paintings in the show are Drilon’s series of small drawings, exhibited in the gallery’s two smaller and more intimate spaces. One room houses his series of nude sketches, based on live models. The other room in the gallery contains Drilon’s series of abstract drawings in charcoal on paper: a progression of loops revolving and rotating within themselves.

Rock Drilon has held over fifty solo shows throughout the Philippines, France, Switzerland and the US. He served as the Director for various art institutions, including the Kanlungan ng Sining (1991-1992), the Brix Gallery (1997-1999) and Mag:net Gallery. He is currently based in Iloilo City, where he continues to paint while heading the Cinematheque Iloilo.

NOW Gallery is open from Monday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. It is located at the Mezzanine of the Ecoplaza Building, 2305 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City.

For inquiries regarding the exhibition, please email info@nowgallery.net or call 555-0683 or 555-0684.

Gising, featuring works by Annaleah Aldaba, Dodge Carpio, Alee Garibay, Clara Herrera, Issay Rodriguez, and Jose Tanierla, is presented to you by Forte Coffeehouse. Group show opens on May 25, 7 pm, and runs until June 8 at Forte Coffeehouse (120 Maginhawa St., Teachers Village East, Diliman, Quezon City).

 For more information, contact Pat Rodriguez at rodriguez.apb@gmail.com.

After seeing Hollywood fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker in the opening of SM Aura and losing track of the Fast and the Furious 6 cast led by Vin Diesel (they’ve been all-over the city), the madness that has engulfed the metro is not yet over.

Save the lingering adrenaline and excitement for a fully-loaded weekend!

1. Wanderland Music Festival: Saturday, 11 am at Globe Circuit Events Ground

The first of what is to be an annual outdoor music and arts festival is finally happening! See The Temper Trap, Neon Trees, Nada Surf, Avalanche City, Colour Coding and Tully on Tully plus some of the best local bands perform live in one awesome event. Add live art performances by artists Anjo Bolarda x Martojaks and Thursday Room, inflatable slide, jousts, Velcro wall and a handful of booths and you’ll have summer’s ultimate sonic playground. There’s no better way to end summer than to join Wanderland 2013. Tickets are available at all TicketNet, TicketWorld and SM Tickets Outlets.

2. Levante: Friday, 6pm at Eastwood City

Gourmands, gourmets and anyone who just can’t help loving food, a new night food market is coming at you at Eastwood Citywalk 2. Grand opening is on n May 17, Friday from 6pm to 3am.

3. Yummy Eats 2013: Saturday, 10 am at NBC Tent

Yummy Eats, Yummy Magazine’s most anticipated eating and cooking fair is back on its third year! Enjoy a day of non-stop eating on May 18, Saturday, at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

4. I Silk-Screened This Tee: Saturday, 4 pm at Trinoma Cinema Lobby

Let your creativity take the lead! Make your own tees at Artwork’s event. To join, simply purchase your silk-screening kit for Php 299 at any Artwork stores or during the event itself. First 50 silk-screeners will get free Moonleaf milk teas. To top it all, Up Dharma Down will play a live set during the event.

5. Regine Velasquez Live: Saturday, 6 pm at Market! Market! Activity Center

Watch the one and only Asia’s Songbird as she performs live at Market! Market! Admission is free.

6. Pace UP Fun Run 2013: Sunday, 5 am at UP Diliman

Organized by RunRio Inc., Pace UP is the biggest running event to happen in Diliman this month. Categories open for registration are: 3k, 5k, 5k Student (exclusive for UP students), 10k and 15k. Registration is open until race day. For more information, visit http://runrio.com/2013/04/pace-up-fun-run-2013/

To give you a heads up, an inspirational event will open the coming week:

7. Nick Vujicic: Unstoppable Dream: Monday, 7:30 pm at Smart Araneta Coliseum

Evangelical and motivational speaker Nick Vujicic will be having his inspirational talk this Monday. Born without limbs, Vujicic serves as a global symbol of hope not only for overcoming his disability but also for delivering motivational speeches around the globe. Call Ticketnet at 911.5555 for details.

On May 29, 2013, 8PM at Buddha-Bar Manila. Prices are P1800 (Early bird until May 28, 2013) and P2000 (at the door). Dinner starts promptly at 8:00pm, latecomers will not be admitted.

For more details, please call 0926-744700 or email cor@dinnernations.org.

So What? Thursday, 10 pm

Sunshine Vibes by SINYMA & Supreme Fist

Feel the addictive beach vibe as M Cafe brings to you the sunshine feel of Baler (Aurora Province) to the city! Dance hall floor fillers, latin sizzlers & an electrifying live performance by SINYMA to get you on your feet dancing through the night!

Carte Blanche – Friday, 8pm

Soulful tunes by Elian Habayeb & Kevin Ruiz

Elian Habayeb & Kevin Ruiz: Two music pioneers and tastemakers who have shaped the country’s nightlife and events scene with their DJ sets featuring a trail blazing exquisite music selection reflecting their wide ranging musical influences.

Rooted – Saturday, 10 pm

Get into the groove of Major Chi & Nix Damn P

Getting down to the root of funky, bass driven & glitched out beats. Djs Nix Damn P & Major Chi (Future, Cubao) laying down a foundation of good tunes to set the right backdrop for ROOTED – Saturdays at M Café.

Discover unique items, stylish clothes, trendy accessories, chic beauty products and more to help you with your ultimate shopping this summer/school season.

Freebies, live choir and more are in store for everyone. See you!

Bazaar venue is near the Greenbelt Church and fronting Greenbelt 3 Mall/Starbucks/Seattle’s Best.

For more details, please email shoppers_spotbazaar@yahoo.com.