Gavel&Block and International School Manila Partner for Education Fundraiser

Gavel&Block, a subsidiary of of the country’s premier auction house, Salcedo Auctions, partnered with International School Manila (ISM) for benefit, an auction to raise funds for ISM Vicky SyCip Herrera Filipino scholars.

A trove of distinctive artworks by National Artists, international masters, leading Filipino artists, and other artisanal objects of design merit was up for bids at The Conservatory of The Peninsula Manila, in order to underwrite the education of a fifth student with exceptional ability in each grade level from 8 to 12 at the ISM. The fifth student joins the four scholars in each grade level already funded directly by the school.

A well-appointed life is a life that gives back. . Vicky SyCip Herrera graduated from International School Manila as part of the class of 1968. She witnessed the Filipino Scholarship Program since its inception in 1961 and graduated with the second batch of scholars. Being able to return to ISM first as an English teacher before becoming a Guidance Counselor for 38 years until her retirement in 2011 allowed her to know just about every Filipino scholar the school has ever had. . Vicky was not only a teacher and a guidance counselor, but she was also considered a mentor and a friend to students, parents and colleagues. Her advice and candor has encouraged, motivated and kept many on the right path, especially to those who felt like giving up. She has been a mother figure, a counselor, a teacher, a co-worker, even a match-maker; but more importantly, Vicky has been a friend to everyone. . The Vicky SyCip Herrera Scholarship Foundation was born out of a passion for education and for country. Vicky encouraged students to participate in service and her support of the Philippine Scholarship program was instilled while still a student at the school. On her retirement, it was only fitting that the Vicky SyCip Herrera Scholarship was formally launched. . Over the years, the scholarship program has assisted Filipino students of exceptional ability but whose parents lack the financial capacity to fund an education at ISM. Presently, the school supports four scholars in each Grade from 8 to 12. Vicky’s scholar would be the fifth. Since 1967, ISM’s Filipino Scholarship Program has changed the lives of over 150 students – and often the lives of their families as well. . See you at the gavel&block *benefit* auction on Saturday, 5 May, 2pm at The Conservatory, The Peninsula Manila. Preview starts on Tuesday, 1 May, 10am-6pm at The Gallery, Level 3. Tap on the link in bio to view the catalogue and bid for the future. . #ismxgavelandblock #benefit #auction #bidforthefuture #arttransforms #thewellappointedlife

A post shared by Salcedo Auctions (@salcedoauctions) on Apr 23, 2018 at 11:09pm PDT

The foundation was named after Vicky SyCip Herrera, a well-loved guidance counselor who served 38 years at the prestigious school. For 57 years, the program has provided promising futures for over 150 Filipino scholars, who have gone on to top colleges and universities in the Philippines and abroad, such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, Cornell, and Princeton, among others. These scholars have gone on to pursue successful careers after school.

In total, benefit was able to raise a total of P3.3 million, which was raised from donations of the works’ entire sales commission and additional pledges from consignors.

By Henri Matisse

Some of the highlights from the auction include works by Romulo Olazo, Ang Kiukok, Ronald Ventura, Arturo Luz, Eduardo Castrillo, Nena Saguil, and Fernando Zobel. From the international side, there were works by Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Pedro Murillo Velarde, Rigobert Bonne, and Jean Francois La Perouse.

Philippine tribal and ethnographic art were represented by a 1930 ‘Dancing Bu’lul;’ an early 20th century Bontoc province ‘Kalasag’ shield and spear; and a Chalapong, Hagabi – an Ifugao priest’s miniature ritual/prestige bench in narra wood with the natural patina, dating to the 1930s-50s. There were also antique and estate furniture, as well as modern furniture in the form of Kenneth Cobonpue’s swivel chairs, which were used by heads of state at the 2015 APEC conference

The ISM community participated in the auction by donating pieces from Inigo Elizalde, Maricris Floirendo-Brias, Alan SyCip, and several pieces of estate jewelry. ISM senior fine arts students also joined by donating paintings from their final assessment exhibition.

 

This story is in partnership with Salcedo Auctions. For more information, visit the foundation’s Facebook or follow Gavel&Block on Facebook and Instagram, and Salcedo Auctions on Facebook and Instagram. Be part of the conversation with the hashtags #ismxgavelandblock #bidforthefuture and #arttransforms.

* Cover photo by Ronald Ventura