At This Boracay Resort, Art Is a Way of Life

It’s like speed dating with artists. In the first round, five artists were given 20 minutes to come up with something using the paint and brushes provided. After the time allotted, the guests will then vote for their favorite work. The same went for the second roster of artists. The top two per round then advanced and competed in a final match where one was ultimately named the Art Warrior winner and took home the cash prize, trophy, and title. 

The theme for their paintings wasn’t limited to a particular subject. Sky (which some painted) was the limit. The qualifications weren’t kept within bounds too. The competition was open to all. And on that Labor Day Weekend at Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, the contestants were indeed varied. There was a tattoo artist, a freshman from Aklan State University, a restaurateur, and even a musician slash employee of the beach hotel (he worked in the finance department).

Art warrior competition

Photo by Crimson Boracay.

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The purpose of the competition was to inspire and drive people into tapping their creative side, and in that instance, it not only did that but also unearth, promote and feature the arts and artists found on the island. 

“Crimson has always been a very driven brand, from safety and health,” says the resort’s Swiss general manager Patrick Manthe. “And all this drive, including our creative impulse, it’s been very well received.” And it’s not just by their guests, but also their staff, many of whom have started the hobby of painting to relieve stress and for their own peace of mind.

Thread art

Photo by Crimson Boracay.

Manthe is no exception. An architect by profession, the 49-year-old has always been fascinated with design, art, and architecture, be it visual or digital. “I don’t consider myself an artist per se but I got a lucky chance to open my own gallery in Bangkok and I’ve sold a few of my things.” He does mostly portrait paintings using acrylic.

Art has done Patrick good. “I lose myself in it. I find myself painting until three in the morning sometimes.” Acknowledging how it has become therapeutic for him, he has integrated his passion for it in the properties he has worked in before, including hotels in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Maldives. But it’s only in Boracay where he has done it with much intensity and intention.

Litson Manok on corn tortilla

Photo by Crimson Boracay.

“A resort is nice but it’s still just a resort,” he says. “To me, there’s always something missing. How can we touch our guests more, beyond a propaganda or a slogan? On a level where they will remember us not just for the food or beach or nice room. Through something that maybe we have triggered in them during their stay.”

For this, he turned to the creative arts. 

Crimson Beats during the Love Boracay weekend event

Photo by Crimson Boracay.

Crimson Boracay has a resident artist that hosts art classes, including “sip and paint” where guests get liquid encouragement in the form of an alcoholic beverage while doing their masterpieces. They’ve organized photography expositions as well as music festivals and fashion shows like the one they recently had in line with the Love Boracay event. 

It also translates to the resort’s food. They’ve once held Art on a Plate where the chefs of Hapag served dishes using Auro chocolates, while the whole Mosaic Restaurant had simultaneous live entertainment happening, such as a violin player providing soothing music and an artist painting on site. 

Painting class

Photo by Crimson Boracay.

They also have a program where they adopt art students for eight weeks, and it culminates in an exhibition afterwards. Apart from guiding them in tapping their artsy side, they deem it important to help them in the commercial side of being an artist too, like teaching them how to properly price an artwork. “Is it based on time or square meter or the colors used?” he cites as an example.

“It has been a very big success even if we can just inspire a single person, especially after the pandemic when many were down and had mental issues. There have been people, who, called us crying and were thankful that they couldn’t let go of the brush,” he confesses. 

Crimson Boracay General Manager Patrick Manthe

Photo by Crimson Boracay.

The end goal is to be a creative hub in Boracay. But it has become more than just that. Crimson Resort and Spa has been supplying people with a positive energy that guests can feel once they set foot on their property. And it’s an impression many have carried long before they’ve stepped out.