Russian artists paint Phl

MANILA, Philippines - After a 20-day cultural journey to the Philippines, 13 Russian artists are coming out with works of their expedition that could lure more foreign tourists to the country.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said the government and other tourism industry stakeholders organized the project dubbed “To the Islands of Sampaguita” as part of the 35th anniversary celebration of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia.

“We hope that interest in the Philippines will be generated in Russia through the paintings of these Russian artists about Philippine scenery and lifestyle,” Jimenez said.

The tourism chief said that after the expedition, the artists would mount an exhibit of more than 50 new Philippine artworks and paintings of the destinations they have been to in the Russian National Museum and other museums in Russia and the Philippines.

Vladimir Anisimov, head of the Russian Bureau of Creative Expedition, led the team of top painters and graphic artists, namely: Victoriya Faykova, Olga Yausheva, Rustam Yaushev, Vitali Popov, Luli Petrov, Vladimir Pereyaslavets, Ludmila Yuga, Gregory Poplavsky, Nikolai Pogorelov, Georgy Kozhanov, and Ksenia Rzheshevskaya.

“We are positive that through this project, seeing the beauty of the Philippines through the artists’ eyes, we will be able to attract more Russians to see for themselves what the Philippines has to offer,” Russian Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev said.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), the expedition began in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then to Bohol where the Russian visitors enjoyed the famous Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, old churches, a firefly tour, and interaction with the Abatan river community.

Straight from Vigan: Russian artists with Russian Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev (seated, fourth from left), DFA Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Buensuceso (seated, second from right), president of the UNESCO DREAM Center Cecile Guidote-Alvarez (seated, second from left) and DOT Team Europe director Verna Buensuceso (seated, right).

From Bohol they proceeded to Cebu, where they saw the historic connectivity with Europe through the galleon trade.

The group also had a glimpse of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s life in exile during their tour of Dapitan, Zamboanga, after which they went to Baler in Aurora to witness the exotic culturescape of the sea and mountain with indigenous communities.

Capping the expedition were visits to destinations around Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including Angono, Rizal, often referred to as the Arts Capital of the Philippines, and Villa Escudero in Quezon.

Today, the Russian visitors will be having a workshop interaction with inmates of the New Bilibid Prison for the celebration of Prison Month.

Jimenez said the DOT is intensifying its campaign to lure more Russian tourists, which is a very lucrative market for the Philippines. This year, arrivals from Russia registered a 30 percent growth, he said.

The DOT participated recently in the 17th Otdykh Leisure Fair in Moscow and concluded a selling mission to St. Petersburg to establish more business linkages with Russian wholesalers and tour operators and position the Philippines as a choice destination for the Russian market.

“With this kind of people-to-people exchanges, we see our tourist arrivals growing even more,” Jimenez said.