Freeway, one of the most innovative fashion brands, is pleased to present its latest National Artist Collector’s Series where creative works are immortalized through a beautiful fashion collection. This June, Freeway is honored to pay tribute to one of the best-known and most respected artists in the Philippines.
Benedicto Reyes, also known as “BenCab”, celebrates his 50th Anniversary Retrospective, showcasing his varied styles and works in the span of 50 career years. As the National Artist for Visual Arts, he has portrayed socio-political issues and various aspects of Filipino identity, earning acclaim for expressing universal, human themes.
Fit for the dynamic woman and art advocate, Freeway x BenCab Collection consists of vibrant colored shift dresses, work dresses, a wide variety of sublimation tops, maxi dress, jumpsuit, kimonos and more. Mostly adorned by his popular subject “Sabel”, these beautiful pieces are perfect for your day to night activities. Ranging from casual to semi-formal, the pieces consist of different styles and trends that the modern Filipina will surely love to wear. The collection features woven fabrics, soft materials like georgettes, thick knits and comfy soft knits through a range of silhouettes of casual and dressy tops, complemented with perfect gift items like pouches, coin purses and functional tote bags! With the BenCab Collection, Freeway continues to revolutionize the meaning of fashionalism as the Filipinos rekindle their cultural spirit.
The #FreewayXBenCab collection is available at all Freeway and The Row branches nationwide and ONLINE through www.freewayonline.com.ph or through their online partner Zalora! Learn more about BenCab and Freeway by visiting freewayonline.com.ph or visit our Facebook page facebook.com/FreewayOnline. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram @FreewayOnline. SHOP ONLINE with us, it’s easy and reliable!
Thanks to Janilyn (www.facebook.com/Janylinshoes) for the footwear used in the campaign photos.
#FreewayXBenCab: About the Event
The event was held on June 9, 2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Pasay City as part of BenCab’s celebration for his 50th Anniversary Retrospective. It was a splendid night of art, fashion and a grand presentation of Filipino talent as the event was attended by several prominent figures from both ends such as fashion bloggers, art enthusiasts, critics, media, BenCab’s family and the main celebrant himself.
The event night opened with cocktails and a Pop-Up Shop Preview at CCP’s Main Lobby showcasing Freeway x BenCab National Artist Collectors’ Series. As guests viewed they collection on display, they were treated to pass around hors d’oeuvre. BenCab and devoted partner Annie Sarthou were there to chat and welcome everyone.
The event was lively hosted by Tessa Prieto Valdes and Tim Yap, both huge BenCab fans.
As the lights dimmed, the guests were treated to a dramatic fashion show by Freeway, where the 50-piece vibrant collection featured the many variations of BenCab’s popular subject “Sabel”. From paintings to fabric, it was definitely grand to witness as BenCab’s beautiful works were translated into sublimation graphic tees, work shirts, tailored dresses, casual tops, weekend wear, and many other accessories. The fashion show was made possible by Freeway’s event sponsor, the online leader ZALORA who helped produce the show.
In line with the artistic and nationalistic theme, the winners of the recently held Art Bag Design Contest were also presented at the event. BenCab awarded them for their winning designs, “Taong Putik Festival” by Merry Joyce Bautista and “Ating Pilipinas” by Mark Dizon, are now available in Freeway Stores nationwide.
After main events at the CCP Lobby, the guests were invited to the opening of “BenCab in Multiples: A Print Retrospective at the Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery) at the 3rd floor of CCP. Guests marveled at the huge collection of BenCab’s print from CCP’s collection, a few private collectors and his own personal collection.
Indeed, it was a night to remember as guests went home that night filled with more appreciation and awe for fashion, art and culture. You can catch more of the #FreewayXBenCab collection at all Freeway stores nationwide or SHOP ONLINE at www.freewayonline.com.ph or through their online partner Zalora! You may also visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/FreewayOnline or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @FreewayOnline for more information.
Background Information
Freeway’s National Artist Collectors’ Series started out in 2009 as a pocket collection to pay Tribute to the works of our National Artists. It was a hopeful experiment. Thankfully, it was well appreciated. Freeway is very happy with the awareness it has created and the increased appreciation shown towards our own Filipino Art and Culture through our National Artists. Since then, Freeway has paid tribute to the following National Artists bi-annually:
2009 – Nick Joaquin (Literature)
AngKiukok (Visual Arts)
2010 – Jose Garcia Villa (Literature)
Ramon Valera (Fashion)
2011 – F. Sionil Jose (Literature) – living National Artist
Vicente Manansala ( Visual Arts)
2012 – Levi Celerio (Music)
Botong Francisco (Visual Arts) – 100th Centennial Celebration
2013 – Lucio San Pedro (Music) – 100th Centennial Celebration
Juan Luna ( Visual Arts)
2014 – BienvenidoLumbera (Literature) – living National Artist
Federico AguiarAlcuaz (Visual Arts)
2015 – Benedicto Cabrera (Visual Arts) – living National Artist
Benedicto Cabrera Biography
Benedicto Cabrera, more popularly known as BenCab is one of the most respected visual artists in the Philippines. His art has portrayed socio-political issues and various aspects of Filipino identity, earning acclaim for expressing universal human themes. Hailed as a master of contemporary Philippine art, he is also one of our few remaining living treasured National Artists.
Born in 1942 in Manila, Philippines, BenCab is the youngest of nine children born to Democrito Cabrera and Isabel Reyes of Pampanga. During childhood, he first discovered his interest in arts through his elder Brother Salvador who was already an established artist at that time. He pursued his love for the arts and went on to study at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, where he explored different art visual forms – photography, draftsmanship and printmaking.
Spending 13 years in London, BenCab shares with many of his countrymen the experience of longing for home. The physical distance caused him to become more keenly aware of his roots and the realities of life in the Philippines. He returned in 1985 to permanently settle in Baguio City. The BenCab Museum (www.bencabmuseum.org) was established in Baguio in 2009, to house the artist’s personal collection of tribal art from the Cordillera highlands and contemporary Philippine art. In the same year, BenCab was conferred a doctorate in the Humanities,honoris causa, by the University of the Philippines. BenCab was awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2006.
His paintings and works have been the subject of three books, Ben Cabrera: Etchings (1970-1980) by Cid Reyes; Bencab’s Rock Sessions by Eric Caruncho; and BENCAB by Alfred Yuson and Cid Reyes.
Learn more about BenCab and #FreewayXBenCab collection by visiting freewayonline.com.ph or visit our Facebook page facebook.com/FreewayOnline. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram @FreewayOnline.