The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
by Boy Villasanta
Not only because of one’s gigantic contributions to arts and culture but an immense life devoted to humanity that people and institutions are bestowing memorial honors to a man of aesthetics and filial pride.
The binary is the wellspring of a posthumous homage of fellowmen and cultural entities to a unique individual who had succumbed to heart attack after doing immersive stage play works.
Bon Labora, an award-winning visual artist; stage and television icon and filmmaker and former artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Chris Millado and multimedia visual artists Toym Leon Imao shared their personal bond with the late prizewinning art designer and video projection artist Gerard Alexander (GA) Fallarme who after doing impressive graphic designs for the recently concluded “Pingkian Isang Musikal,” a Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) production and “The Bodyguard,” a musical adapted from the 1992 Hollywood film by 9Works Theatrical, bid adieu to the magical world of stage performances.
Labora, GA’s maternal first cousin, lamented over his kin’s sudden demise.
“Grabe. Nagluluksa ang buong angkan namin. I will terribly miss him. Ang dami naming pinagsamahan sa loob at labas ng teatro (Too much. Our whole clan is in mourning. We had shared a lot of things in and out of the theater world),” intimated Bon.
“One of GA’s works, he created several for Tanghalang Pilipino, CCP and other companies including ‘Anak Datu’ and ‘Mabining Mandirigma.’. A pioneer in scenic projection, his contribution was recognized during this year’s Gawad Buhay. His artistic and technical legacy lives on through his digital tapestries and visual sculptures and the generation of digital projection designers he mentored. The creative community feels the great loss of an innovative artist and gentle friend,” wrote Chris on his Facebook wall.
“It seems that mourning and grief have defined my week.
“I was still processing the loss of two beloved UP Mountaineer friends who left us within the span of just three weeks…
“…and now, I find myself trying to come to terms with the passing of two fellow artists who left us within only three days.
“Ava holds a special place in my heart as a teacher. She was among my first batch of students when I returned to teach at the UP College of Fine Arts a decade ago, fresh from my studies abroad. We last saw each other at Art SG early this year, where she manned a booth together with two other former students. Her passing has made me pause, reflect deeply, and reexamine what it means to guide young artists whose paths I am privileged to cross. To stay connected and be there for them.
“Then, just a while ago, I received the painful news that GA has also left us. He was one of the first creatives I worked with when I began my journey in theater, also about a decade ago. We collaborated on several productions since then. Calm, grounded, and ever-focused, he was part of our original dream team when we staged ‘Mabining Mandirigma’ for Tanghalang Pilipino.
“James Reyes and Manny Pambid, please meet him at the gates together with our other theater friends who have gone ahead.
“Processing their absence will take time.
“As I share my weekends with fellow creatives who toil endlessly 24/7 week, for whom an 8-to-5 day has no meaning and that weekend breaks are not in our vocabulary, I am reminded, perhaps by their passing, that we need to slow down. To breathe. To move within the pace of our own heartbeat. This fast-paced world demands so much of us creatives who work with limited time and resources, but we must learn to pause, to rest, to live.
“You will both be dearly missed.
“My prayers and warmest embrace go to your families and loved ones.
“Fair well on your journey to the light. We love you,” noted Toym Imao on his digital spaces.
And tributes from artistic and cultural institutions:
Tanghalang Pilipino (TP): “Lubos na nakikiramay ang Tanghalang Pilipino sa pagpanaw ng isang alagad ng sining (Sincerest sympathies to the passing of an artist). GA Fallarme Creative Director|Graphic Designer|Projection Designer.”
Rep Philippines (RP): “Repertory Philippines mourns the passing of G.A. (Gerard Alexander) Fallarme. One of the industry’s foremost visual designers, his world class projections have graced numerous Repertory productions: ‘Jepoy and the Magic Circle’; ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’; our current production of ‘Alice In Wonderland’; and many more award-winning, acclaimed works.
“His creative, breathtaking compositions fused with innovative digital technology made him one of the most in-demand designers in Philippine theater. We send our warmest sympathies to his family and loved ones.”
Theater Group Asia (TGA): “We at Theatre Group Asia are deeply saddened by the passing of GA Fallarme, a creative force whose vision and kindness touched so many. To have worked alongside him was a privilege for all of us, and his creative spirit will continue to inspire us in all that we do.
“Our deepest love and condolences go out to his family, friends, and everyone whose lives he touched.
“He will be remembered with great admiration and gratitude.”
Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP): “The Cultural Center of the Philippines mourns the passing of acclaimed projection and video designer GA Fallarme, whose artistry illuminated countless CCP productions and stages in the Philippines and abroad.
“With over two decades of experience, GA brought stories to life through light, image, and motion. His work on ‘Anak Datu’ earned him a Gawad Buhay nomination, while his projection design for ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ received the Good Design Award Philippines 2024—Red Award for Image Making, as well as another Gawad Buhay nomination, with a citation for Outstanding Projection and Video Design.
“The CCP extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. His light will continue to shine through the works he so passionately helped create.”