About the Artist
International Wood Sculpture Symposium – Brienz, Switzerland – 2024
I am Gilbert ‘Bergano’ Alberto, a sculptor who came from a family of wood carvers from Hapao, Hungduan, Ifugao province, the place of the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces. I started woodcarving since I was 13 years old. I then shifted to river stones and driftwood sculptures as a part of my affair with the “Drift World” – materials that seem of no use, yet remain harmless to the environment when fashioned into art pieces, giving them a touch of compassion that would let something within them to come out to celebrate life – a man’s consolation for himself.
As an artist for the community service, I have organized tree planting, cultural performances, workshops and art exhibits. I had my 3rd one-man exhibit in Tam-Awan Village, Baguio City and had participated in group shows in Baguio, Manila, Ilo-ilo and other regions in the Philippines.
I won the Best Entry in the 1998 Philippine National Centennial Painting Competition. I became a Government Scholar and the Philippine Representative in the 2nd Delphic International Sculptors Camp held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia in 2005.
I just received The Outstanding Citizen Of Sablan on its 112th Foundation Day November 22, 2012. Many thanks to Santiago M. Bartolome Secretary to the Sanggunian, Mayor Arthur C. Baldo, Officials of the Municipality of Sablan, Benguet and friends for recognizing my small contribution to our Mother Land!
I worked as a styro-sculptor in Dubai, a painter and rockworks artist in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
I do landscaping, farm vacation house designs and construction as well as project consultant and designs using culture-inspired and traditional architecture in incorporating to modern concepts and functions in harmony with Nature.
Old Man Playing the Sounds of Wisdom – The old man will be you and me.
Year 2011 Morges International Sculpture Symposium Switzerland. Winning the Public prize and Myron d’ Argent.
International Participation
2019
International Conference on Southeast Asian Crafts and Folk Art “APUNAN” Bazaar and Art Exhibit Baguio City, Philippines
2015
International Sculpture Symposium Morges, Switzerland
2013
International Sculpture Symposium Morges, Switzerland
2011
Morges International Sculpture Symposium Switzerland
2005
International Sculptors Camp, Kuching Sarawak, Malaysia
Awards
2013
Artist Prize (First Prize – Wood Category) (Morges, Switzerland)
2013
Public Prize — (Morges, Switzerland)
2011
Prix du Public (First Prize — Stone Category)
2011
Myron d’ Argent (Second Prize — Stone Category)
1998
Best Entry 1998 National Centennial Painting Competition
1987
National Integration Scholarship Grant Program
Artist's Statement
My Art is a documentary witness of life and natural environment. Every sound ofmychisel is a part of me trying to weave harmony into this spiritual world for better understanding and respect. Everyone is like a seed with much potential for greatness in it. Still, that potential like a seed needs elements to trigger its sprout and coax it to mature and bloom to its fullest. My media driftwood and river stone is part ofmy “Drift World Affair”, materials that seem of no use yet remain harmless to the environment when fashioned into art pieces, sometimes mixed with new media that reflect such growth, inspire, communicate or touch one’s life — that may affect social change.
Solo Exhibits
“Museum of World Sculpture Artist’s Net”
2022 Online Exhibit
“Drift World Affair III”
2022 Manor Hotel, Baguio
“Art to Art Talk”
2013 Manor Hotel, Baguio
“Parts”
2011 Baguio Convention Center
“The Seeds” 2009
Manor Hotel, Baguio
“Drift World Affair II”
2008 Tam-awan Village, Baguio
“Drift World Affair I”
2007 Cafe by the Ruins, Baguio
“The Fading Face of Identity”
1999 Baguio & Mt. Province Museum
Group Exhibits
SM- Baguio 2016
Manor Hotel, Baguio City 2010
City Hall Lobby, Baguio City 2008
Café by the Ruins, Baguio City 2008
Baguio Country Club, Baguio City 2007
Metropolitan Museum, Manila 2004
People’s Park, Baguio City 2003
City Hall Lobby, Baguio City 2002
La Azotea Gallery, Baguio City 2001
Galleria De Las Islas, Manila 2000
Baguio City Botanical Garden, Baguio City 1999
GSIS, Manila, Philippines 1999
Benguet Capitol, La Trinidad 1998
Baguio Convention Center 1991
Commission WOrks
Hands of Time
UP Circle, Baguio City
The Golden Blood
Upper Rizal Park, Baguio City
City Hall Pine Tree Grove and Sculpture Park
Baguio City Hall Ground
The Rose of No Mans’ Land
Manor Hotel Garden, Baguio City
The Key Stone of Baguio City
Session Rd. Rotunda, Baguio City
7 ft. fiber glass Risen Christ
Epiphany Church, La Trinidad, Benguet
Dap-ay with Memorial
For Hon. Jaime Bugnosen Family, Baguio City
5 ft. Fiber Glass Risen Christ
Holy Innocence Church, Guisad Baguio City
Sunken Dap-ay
For the Manor Hotel, Camp John Hay, Baguio City
8 ft. Fiber Glass Risen Christ
Holy Angels Church, Pico La Trinidad, Benguet
Dap-ay
For Mr. Noel Carino, Camp John Hay
5 ft. Wooden Crucifix,
5 ft. Our Lady of Fatima (Stone),
6 ft. Sacred of Heart (Stone)
For the Catapang Family Chapel of Bauang, La Union
Rock Works Mausoleum
For Hon. Mayor Jaime Bugnosen, Baguio City