IBONG ADARNA SA BERBANYa

KASA&KIN

Inspired by a Philippine folkloric epic poem of Ibong Adarna, this artwork features the most colourful Filipino mythical bird. Its story revolves around the three princes searching for the mystic bird named Adarna hoping to bring life to their dying ill king father. This vibrant piece is an attempt to illustrate an imaginary kaleidoscopic tropical rainforest, creating a fictional merry place inhabited by people of diverse backgrounds and home to this contemporary bird. It employs various Filipino textile patters overlaid on the whole piece as celebration of a festive and abundant life informed of heritage, history, and memories. Installed in London and conceived during the time of COVID, the artwork is a riff on Filipino migrant’s concept of bird, ruminating the ideas of flight, migration, diaspora, healing, and home. This is a visual allegory for Filipinos and for every people of colour in this matter who have left the other side to build their nests here, in order to create a life in service. This artwork is in some ways a homage to every Filipino health professionals, care givers, and domestic support workers who showered this great city of London with Kalinga (hospitality) and Aruga (care) contributing to make sure that life continues in our beautiful city despite the pandemic.

Living away from the motherland helps one to look at things in perspective, especially the last two years. Making this timely commission for a Filipino restaurant relish the narrative that at the core of every migrant’s hearts is about growing their pair of wings to sore and reach for their stars, in honour and support of their families and bring pride to wherever in the globe is home. Such is vivid parallelism to the myth of Ibong Adarna as well as the essence of this newest dining concept called Kasa and Kin (Home and Family)- a place for sharing, socialising, celebration, and festivity.

As the maker of this work, I grew up with the notion that family is most often defined by blood relations. But residing oceans away from my own blood, I learn that especially for most Filipinos overseas, Family are the people we choose to be and celebrate life with. So, it is my fervent hope that may this artwork be a reminder that they could be whatever they want to be and still belong.

This artwork is commissioned by Kasa and Kin by Romulo situated in the center of Soho. It serves contemporary Filipino flavours to Londoners which is a bakery and patisserie at day, fast-casual at lunch, and bar restaurant with robata grill at night. This changing concept is aimed to excite perceptions about Philippine cuisine as they shift from traditional to innovative and thrilling take on Philippine gastronomy