Freeway kick starts the 100th year Celebration of National Artist for Visual Arts Carlos "Botong" V. Francisco through the beautiful pieces of the National Artist Collectors’ Series.

The launch celebration was held last October 18, 2012, Thursday, at The Row, Glorietta 1. Attended by fashion and art enthusiasts, media friends and bloggers and the family and friends of Botong, it was a splendid night of art, fashion and a grand presentation of Filipino talent.

The event night opened with a very impressive art exhibition by Michael Blanco’s Academy of Artists. The exhibit showcased young talented artists at work, ages 6 years old to 12 years old, all from Botong Francisco’s hometown province of Angono Rizal. The talented young artists wowed everyone with their incredible abilities showcased through live painting and sketching activity during the cocktails at 6pm.

This was followed by the event proper hosted by premier actress Cherie Gil. A short video presentation was shown featuring the life and works of our National Artist. After this informative and inspiring video, the 25 piece elegant Holiday collection immortalizing Botong Francisco’s paintings was showcased in a fashion show. The original paintings that inspired each piece served as a colorful backdrop on the LED screen onstage. From canvass to fabric, it was majestic to witness how Botong’s timeless paintings were translated into sublimation graphic tees, work shirts, tailored dresses, casual tops, weekend wear, and many other accessories.

To shed more light into the human side of our National Artist, host Cherie Gil interviewed special guests Ino Manalo (Executive Director of the National Archives) and Carlos “Totong” Francisco II (Grandson of Botong Francisco) who both shared interesting stories and trivia about Botong Francisco and his big influence in Philippines Art and Culture. Another guest who joined the art experts during the interview is former Governor of Tarlac, Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco who’s a passionate lover of art and fashion. The audience was able to participate in the discussion by sending questions via Live Tweeting. It was indeed a meaningful artistic experience and a deeper insight into Philippine Arts and Culture in one delightful evening.

Invited guests enjoyed delectable cocktail servings and took home Freeway x Botong Francisco memorabilia – a special edition Tote Bag from the Holiday collection.

After Freeway officially launches the 100th year Anniversary of Botong Francisco this October, there will be series of events and celebrations throughout the year staged by each of the institution of the Botong consortium.

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