Dateline: 26 November 2017, Manila, PHL

Bravo, young artists!

Was able to catch the awards ceremonies of the national competitions of the 44th National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). The concert and awarding for the solo performances were held on the 25th, then the group performances the 26th. My heart warmed at witnessing the passion and dedication of these young artists to music. I especially got teary eyed with the honorees of the traditional music ensemble.

Saddened however to learn from the speech of education secretary Leonor Briones that only .005 percent of senior high school students took the arts and design track of the K-12 curriculum.

Dateline: 25 November 2017, Manila, PHL

Rights, the basic A-B-C's

From the Cultural Center of the Philippines press room: "'The Weight of Words: An Alphabet of Human Rights' is a call to reflect on the basics of human rights." L is for LOVE, this work by Lala Gallardo, one of twelve participating artists in this exhibit. Looking forward too for the release of the companion book on December 10 as part of the observance of the National Day of Human Rights. More info at Canvas.PH.

Dateline: 25 November 2017, Manila, PHL

Bold, special cut

Cultural Center of the Philippines hosted a special screening of a "director's cut" version of Bomba Queen, a Seiko Films opus of the life story of Yvonne, the original "bomba queen," starred in the title role by Sarsi Emmanuelle.

While I was waiting for the Manuel Conde theater to open doors, I saw Ms. Emmanuelle herself also waiting a few steps away. The screening became a small reunion of then popular "bold" actors Emmanuelle, Yvonne, and Maria Isabel Lopez.

Dateline: 25 November 2017, Manila, PHL

Party in the peace of the morning

Very stressful week at work. Went to Escolta early for the opening of the Escolta Block Party x Swoop, celebrating the movement's first year. At a few minutes after 11, some of the stalls were not even set up yet. But the Den (ground floor, First United Building) already was, and I was the first customer.

It's been awhile: the Den was in full Koffee Junkie Klub decor, and happily infested with garapata. Got my usual strawberry soda and a pastry, then whiled time peacefully in social media.

Dateline: 18 November 2017, Quezon City, PHL

Flora, fauna, clay

My last stop in my UP Vargas Museum visit this month, Devour by Katti Sta. Ana. From the exhibit intro: "Then and now, ceramic works are testaments to the relationships between humans, plants and animals, characterized by wonder, fear, desire, joy, domination, and subjugation."

Dateline: 18 November 2017, Quezon City, PHL

Public objects in privacy

International visual artist Tatzu Nishi preparing for his talk Counter-Monuments organized by the Bellas Artes Projects, hosted by the UP Vargas Museum. Of the completed projects he discussed, I especially liked his situating a Picasso in a typical modern Japanese home kitchen. See the project in his website, under Projects, 2006, "sometimes extraordinary, sometimes less than common."

Dateline: 18 November 2017, Quezon City, PHL

"Social sculpture"

Glad to catch this unique exhibition on its last day. From the UP Vargas Museum press release: "Described as 'social sculpture,' the [Green Go Home] project dwells on, magnifies, and renders the gesture of protest looming, urgent, and lively in current time and present political life.... It has been organized in Colombia, the United States, and Spain."

Dateline: 15 November 2017, Makati, PHL

#BangonMarawi

Mid-November could be the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping frenzy. Consider sharing some of your shopping budget to the Bangon Marawi project of the Department of Trade and Industry, which features products from families displaced by the Marawi siege. Prices are reasonable, and your money goes to a good cause (i.e. Marawi post-siege rehabilitation).

The Bangon Marawi product store is at the ground floor of the DTI's main building along Gil Puyat Avenue, near corner Makati Avenue, Makati City.

Dateline: 12 November 2017, Pasig, PHL

Stories as visuals celebrated

My take-homes from KOMIKON 2017 held at the Unilab Bayanihan Center in Pasig City. I confess I'm not an intense fan of comic books, and I often got lost in the enthusiastic conversations that went around me. But I do consider myself very appreciative of the visual arts, popular culture and creativity. If you're like me, you'd love the passion you'd feel from the comic book artists, writers and illustrators as they present their works or demo their talents.

Dateline: 11 November 2017, Pasay, PHL

Sheltered from the madness

After arriving at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, I was already aware of the Saturday traffic snarl made special by preparations for the ASEAN 50. I was not willing to leave the comfort of the shops and restaurants of Terminal 3, especially Manila Life Cafe of the Manila Marriott.

For under a thousand bucks, you're good. I got from the all-day breakfast menu; they have a line-up of great comfort food too. This one fits the bill for a weary traveler's gastronomic pampering.

Dateline: 09 November 2017, Tacloban, PHL

Week's work in serenity

Helping out a pilot health facility development orientation seminar, initiated by the Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) office.

Leyte Park Resort Hotel in Tacloban City needs a lot of upgrades, the smell of neglect unmistakable. But the view... just awesome.

A Philippine Tourism Authority marker on the building says the hotel was inaugurated in 1980 on the occasion of the birthday of its Guest of Honor, then First Lady Imelda R. Marcos.

Dateline: 03 November 2017, Quezon City, PHL

Malang 1965

First spotted this 1965 mural by the late Mauro Malang Santos from a friend's Twitter post about her visit to the SSS Head Office. Found the opportunity to make a quick side-trip to SSS today and have a look.

While looking for more information about the mural, I learned of the SSS Collection of Art and Antiques Gallery... hopefully I would find some other time to go and see the Gallery as well.

Anybody know the title and more details about this work? You can leave them as comments in Talkback. Most appreciated.

More information about Malang in Wikipedia.