By 
It’s hasn’t been that long since I first met artist Dranreb Belleza. How we began communicating was I believe somewhat of a peculiar circumstance, to which how a few friendships that I still have started. I first met him for lunch with his wife Vale de la Riva at then newly opened American-Italian restaurant franchise Buca di Beppo. For those who are not aware, Dranreb lived his life as an actor back in the 80s, had a number of challenging issues in life and demons to battle that fortunately enough he has surpassed and defeated, and now, he’s concentrating on a passion that he’s been delving on since he was a child.
Art will always be important to Dranreb; it’s something that keeps him focused. And this beautiful collection of his, currently displayed in New Gallery at the Shangri-la Plaza, shows that he’s currently in a better place, in a much calmer state. Vibrant and dominated by flora, Dranreb named his collection Mga Liham Para Kay Ina, in which he explained during his welcoming remarks at the opening of the show last June 7, that it was his way of paying tribute to the women in his life that includes Mary, mother of Jesus, his wife Vale, his mother and actress Divina Valencia, Susan Roces, among a few. Aside from his works featured within the gallery, they’re also displayed at the third level of the mall.
Denise J. Mallabo 