19 July 2012 – The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported that the paintings of Philippine visual artist Benedicto Cabrera, more known as BenCab, were applauded during a joint exhibit entitled "Hands Across the Water", which opened on July 13 at the White Box, MAP@Publika at the Publika Shopping Mall in Kuala Lumpur. Also featured in the exhibit are Malaysian artist Ahmad Zakii Anwar and Mexican sculptor Enrique Carbajal, more known as Sebastian.

Present during the opening of the exhibit were Mexican Ambassador to Malaysia Jorge Alberto Lozoya, Philippine Third Secretary and Vice Consul Johann Veronica Andal, Cultural Attache Helen Grace Cuisia, and other Malaysian-based art enthusiasts.

The exhibit came about when Mr. Cabrera and Mr. Ahmad were invited by Mr. Carbajal to visit Mexico for two weeks under the latter's Fundacion Sebastian. In Mexico, the artists gained inspiration from the people, history and landscape. Mr. Cabrera showcased eight paintings in the exhibit.

"BenCab has showcased his mastery of contemporary art, and showed that he is one of the eminent artists in Southeast Asia. His paintings have creatively illustrated Mexican life in his own familiar style," Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said.

For his part, Ambassador Lozoya highlighted the ties between Mexico, Philippines and Malaysia, and added that the two-week visit of Mr. Cabrera and Mr. Ahmad allowed them to see the richness of Mexican art and culture.

In describing the exhibit, curator Peter Frank said, "Distinguished painter-draughtsman from the Philippines and Malaysia visited with a renowned Mexican sculptor for a whirlwind but productive two weeks, gained inspiration from the people, history, and landscape in whose midst they had suddenly dropped, and returned to their homelands to work as they has before, armed with more grist for their visual mills...".

The exhibit will run until July 25.