Filipino mixed media artist Danilo Dalena returned to the Cultural Center of the Philippines after a 26-year hiatus with his paintings, drawings, sculpture, and installations "referencing unseemly acts and antics in seedy movie houses."
Curators Claro Ramirez, Jr. and Eileen Ramirez added that, "While loosely taking on the structure of cinema with establishing sequences, transitions, freeze frames, and denouements, LFS is posited as a grand unfolding rather than definitive account."
National hero Jose Rizal's one-half of world renowned political novels revisited the CCP after decades courtesy of J&S Productions Inc., in cooperation with Ayala Foundation. It was written by the late Filipino National Artists Felipe de Leon (music) and Guillermo Tolentino (libretto in Filipino.)
I was fortunate to watch it for free together with my best friend. The actors who portrayed Ibarra and Maria Clara committed to their parts and hit all the right notes but not as much as Sisa's actress was. She blew everyone away! I wish some brave souls would develop her own storyline/spinoff.
For the first time, I got a chance to be a museum tour guide! Finally I ticked it off my bucket list thanks to Ayala Museum's volunteer program. I was the tour guide in the "bitter" part of the Valentine's edition tour where I walked about 10 guests to different dioramas depicting the painful moments in our history (i.e. Trade with Chinese and the Chinese Massacre, Sultan Kudarat's Defense, Jose Rizal's love stories, Gen. Antonio Luna's assassination, the Japanese Occupation and Death March.)
I dragged a good friend to spend the night partying at Escolta, considered to be the Queen
Another perk of being an Ayala Museum volunteer is to get exclusive access to artist talks. That's how I met Thai contemporary artist Natee Utarit whose works heavily represent his criticisms of Western art and its influence on Eastern Art. Rightfully so, the elements in his towering paintings featured in "Optimism is Ridiculous: The Altarpieces" are a mix of Christian and Buddhism symbols.
This year promised to be the biggest yet with four floors of galleries and unsurprisingly, bigger areas for National Book Store and Bench. For better or worse, it has become uncontrollably crowded, making you wish that they would move to a bigger venue next year.
The biggest reveal of the night was meeting world renowned Filipino (glass) sculptor Ramon Orlina in his exhibit. Unlike his goof friend BenCab, he wasn't a snob.
Another good friend accompanied me in Intramuros where we toured a heritage house, Casa Manila. The interiors and exteriors were (obviously) Spanish-inspired but it was nice to learn that ceramics from Japan and China, and furniture (i.e. chandeliers) from the rest of Europe also adorned the house.
Interestingly in the receiving area, connecting rooms were allotted for the old maid and a visiting relative (guest room) who was often a single man. We couldn't help but be intrigued with the 'could-have-beens' and 'have-beens' in those adjoining rooms during the old times! *wink*
Manila's prodigal son Carlos Celdran and his tourism group, Walk This Way, initiated a lovely community gathering at Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros (beside my alma mater PLM) which included a do-as-you-please itinerary.
Highlights of the night included Kundiman concert atop the Baluarte, burning of Chinese wishing papers (a confusing part of the night,) and the performance of Tres Marias, a lovely group of OPM icons Lolita Carbon, Bayang Barrios, and Cookie Chua. Think People Power anniversary celebration without the hate and with all the picnic baskets.
In all, my February weekends have been restless but I didn't complain. And I never will. For sure I won't schedule any out-of-town or out-of-country trips for succeeding Nat'l Arts Month!
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