Leon Gallery Auction

The very first time I attended an art auction was in Britain. Some 25 years ago, I was walking around one gloomy night in London, trying to find my way back on foot to my hotel, Cheshire Hotel. I was walking in a dark commercial area were most of the establishments have closed for the night. I chanced upon a big store with beautiful Louis IV furniture and art pieces. There was no one in the store. I went inside then I heard a man talking thru a microphone. I followed the sound and found a wide open door with about 30 people inside. They were seated facing a guy at the podium with a gable. “SOLD!” Some of them glanced at me while I peeked. When no one seemed to mind me, I bravely sat down on one of the wooden chairs.

I only stayed for a while because it was dark outside, getting so late and I was anxious to get back to my hotel safely.

The auctioneer in front spoke so fast.
“Do I hear ten thousand and a quarter? Ten thousand once, Ten thousand twice. He paused, then Ten thousand, SOLD”. He banged the gavel like a supreme court justice.

The second time was at an antiques auction some 23 years ago.
I arrived at the San Francisco International Airport at 6 pm. Bong and Aileen brought me straight to an auction house some one hour and a half drive away. I was so very sleepy and jet-lagged from the long haul flight. We watched people bid for old cabinets, doors, tables, unknown art pieces, and home decors that looked like junks.

The third time was in Paris. Again, I just found myself lost in the city, trying to find my way back to the hotel just off Arc de triomphe. It was around 8 pm. I saw an open store of magnificent French Renaissance objets d’ art. There was a bigger room inside the store where an auction was on-going. They didn’t mind me when I sat down, because they were about to end, down to the last two lots.

Last Saturday, I went to the Leon Gallery Auction in Legaspi Village, Makati. My very first time to witness an auction here in the Philippines. My schedule was hectic because Edmund and I were going to attend a wedding that evening in Nuvali.

The auction was scheduled at 2 pm. I wasn’t prepared because I didn’t go to the viewing. Although the pieces were published on-line, nothing beats seeing the paintings upclose and personal. I also didn’t know what were the requirements to be let in.

Edmund arrived home at 1:30 pm. I asked him what time we’re leaving for the wedding, he said 5 pm. I was already dressed up for the auction when he arrived. But when he said 5 pm, I wore my daster instead. I was worried it could be traffic and maalangan pa ako. Mag-ga-gown pa ako, mag me-make-up, magsusuklay. I was also planning to wear fake eyelashes to the wedding. I needed more minutes to figure out how.

When the clock struck 1:40 pm, the urge to attend the auction became more intense so dali-dali, I took-off my daster and wore a casual dress. By then, Edmund had fallen asleep.

I ran to the garage and with a prayer not to get caught in heavy traffic, I left for Makati.

Luckily we reached Legaspi Street at 2:15 pm. My intention was just to observe. The room was bursting with people. I registered my name and contact numbers, no fees required. I asked what if I won something? How would I pay it? Credit card or cash? I didn’t have money with me. The guy said winners need not pay the pieces at once. They would be notified the next monday on payment instructions. Gives?

The auction had started. As I walked three steps and panned the room for a vacant chair (none), I heard the American (or British?) auctioneer said Zalameda. Ooops I wanted to have a Zalameda. I saw people raising their numbers. Naki -raise din ako. I didn’t even know that the piece was a teeny-weeny 7″ x 8″ Mother and Child.

Since I was the only one standing, the crowd all looked at me.
Then I heard people clapping, then the guy closest to where I stood turned his head and said “congratulations”. I turned my head, looking for the guy he was speaking to. He said “you”.
Ako naman eh, “me?” Then the auctioneer said “Madam, pls show your number”. Yun pala baligtad yung number ko. A guy came over and made me sign a tiny piece of index card. It had my number, no name. and he made me affix my signature. I won something I didn’t even know what it was and how it looked like, basta I heard Zalameda.

Someone offered to let me share a tiny bench with two big guys. Payat naman ako kaya nagkasya ako. One of the guys is a lawyer and he said he collects Zalameda. He showed me photos.

I enjoyed observing, watching, as people bid for millions worth of paintings by Ben Cab, Joya, Manansala, Fernando Zobel, Ronald Ventura, Anita Magsaysay-Ho. I wrote down the respective hammer amount. Nakaka-shock that ultra rich individuals would shell out 3 million, 10 million, 20 million, 35 million, 46 million for art’s sake. I think some probably are collectors, gallery owners, art dealers. Baka ibebenta rin nila yun.

Free snacks and drink

I planned on leaving at 2:30, bitin kaya I extended to 3 pm, then I waited for the Fernando Amorsolo bidding to finish out of curiosity. I left at 3:30 pm and this time with a prayer that we don’t get caught in a traffic jam or else husband would be very irked and disappointed.