Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, cofounder and CEO of Rags2Riches Inc., will give a talk and showcase artisans’ skills at the Lopez Memorial Museum on August 4, 2012, from 9AM-12NN.

The talk will focus on the design of the items crafted by Rags2Riches artisans, how the training fits into the cycle of life of the community, and how the program has served to empower the community. Payatas was the site of a tragedy in July 2000 when a mountain of trash in Metro Manila’s open dumpsite collapsed.  Hundreds of residents were buried alive and scores of make-shift homes were destroyed. The areas has since been rehabilitated into a controlled waste disposal facility by the Quezon City government.

The lecture complements the ongoing exhibit “Beat” which is curated by Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez with the artistic direction by Claro Ramirez Jr.,. The exhibit explores the wordplay that comes with the summoning of dual meanings. Beat can be interpreted as defeat or surrender, as shown in Danilo Dalena’s “Talo” or indicate rhythm and movement as revealed in Juvenal Sanso’s “Carnival”. Works of contemporary artists Ernest Concepcion and Nikki Luna are also featured.

 Lecture fee is P120. For more info, please contact 635-9545.