During the perfect transition of the summer before going into the rainy season, a cool breeze swept through the streets and hills of Tagaytay where Museo Orlina stands, the home of the annual Tagaytay Art Beat. Proving itself to be one of the most awaited events of the summer, it brewed the perfect concoction of arts and music.  

Despite talented artists playing on the main stage and DJs dropping sick beats at the rooftop, the art exhibitors of this year's festivals were definitely hard to miss. Aside from their annual display of their works, they also created live murals, populated the freedom wall, and even painted staircases. Another special dose of art that Art Beat goers enjoyed is the personally designed Johnnie Walker bottles from the Tagaytay Art Beat 3 artists. More than an expression of themselves, the artists' personalization of the Johnnie Walker bottles is a celebration of their craft that they have worked on and developed in a careful way, something that gives us quality above anything else -- something that the premium Scotch whiskey brand strongly believes in. 

We were able to speak with some of the Tagaytay Art Beat 3 artists who shared their creative processes and more.

Jappy Agoncillo, street artist

How long have you been an artist?

I've been an artist since I was 8 years old. So [that's] 13 years."

How did you get into art?

I got into art because I was really into comic books and anime. So with those really graphic design/images. I just really got into the art style of comic books and cartoons and I just drew them myself. I think from that comic book style I started out then I started getting more into music. As I grew older I got into movies, music, and pop culture. I got more influenced by those things as well."

What do you listen to when you're making your artwork?

When I'm doing a mural I usually listen to music while I do it. I listen to anything from old school hip-hop, 90's hip-hop, 80's rock-and-roll or Broadway musicals."

This painting was inspired by the surroundings of the museum which is all lucsious nature -mountains. I wanted to do a Philippine eagle to highlight the culture of the Philippines and the national bird."

Lee Caces, multimedia artist

How long have you been an artist?

I started doing this seriously 2 years ago. When I was a kid, I just started doodling. In high school, I wasn't really paying attention in anything academic. I just doodled all the way to college and now, [I'm] still doodling."

How did you get into art?

Now my style is different from before. Before, I started doing digital and graphics. From portraits and illustrations, now I'm doing abstract art - as therapy."

What was your inspiration for this piece?

For this bottle, usually before I paint something kasi, I go somewhere and I get some inspiration from there. Then I just paint it on the canvas"

What do you listen to when you're making your artwork?

I just plugged in Ben&Ben, click Ben&Ben radio and from there I just play it."

Razel Mari, sculptor

How long have you been an artist?

Ever since, from the beginning."

How did you get into art?

Since I was a kid, I liked to play around with different objects, make my own toys, and draw some characters."

What was your inspiration for this piece?

I've become [drawn] to the rustic dark side, that's what I liked doing. I know it would catch people's attention and it would express more of what I've been wanting to tell. Everyone of us has a beast inside of ourselves."

What do you listen to when you're making your artwork?

Kung ano lang nasa paligid, Parang kanina nung nasa taas ako. Pinapakinggan ko lang yung  music sa labas, yung mga tao sa paligid. Yung buga ng spray paint."

(Whatever's around me. Earlier when I was upstairs, I was just listening to the music outside, the people around me, the sound of spray paint.)

Watch the Tagaytay Art Beat 3 artists in action:

Tagaytay Art Beat 3 was presented by Johnnie Walker.