MANNY VALERA of DMV Entertainment has opened his own art gallery, Rave, at 5 Sct. Magbanua near corner A. Roces Ave. Did he get envious of Cristy Fermin's own gallery, Obra ni Nanay, which is doing well? "Hindi naman," he says. "It all started when I went to the wake of the late production designer, Judy Lou de Pio. Ako lang ang tao and her husband, Gig, a painter, whose works were featured in Ishmael Bernal's 'Pahiram ng Isang Umaga' as the paintings of Eric Quizon, inspired me with his stories about investing in the works of new talents. Dati na kong art collector and I have works of Baldemor, Onib Olmedo and Malang so heto, I put up na my own art gallery that features the works of established painters and will give a break to new artists like Ronna and Kristine Manansala, Ted Madela, Aris Bagtas, Jo Florendo, and many more. Two people are helping me, Mike Austria who's a painter himself, and Cristy Fermin. Before I put up my gallery, nagpaalam ako sa kanya. I told her huwag siyang magagalit and she said, ay hindi, tutulungan kita, and she did. She's actually my mentor."
At its ribbon-cutting, a mass was held before Mother Lily and Direk Joel Lamangan cut the ribbon. Also present were Directors Gil Portes, Mel Chionglo, stars Glaiza de Castro and Nina Jose, as well as several painters whose works are on exhibit. If you want to visit Rave Art Gallery, just call 374-1361 or 415-0373.
