Chinoiserie at Parian / An artist’s statement / Three book launchings

Chinoiserie – Chinese music and dance, martial arts, fortune-telling, calligraphy, culinary delicacies, textiles, pottery, and porcelain from by-gone dynasties – all these will form part of the Philippine Heritage Festival celebration starting at 4 p.m. today through Sunday, with the Parian at Intramuros (across the street from Mapua U.) transformed into a virtual slice of Old Beijing.

Making this possible is the Federation of Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry which is sponsoring the event.

Guests led by First Daughter Luli Arroyo, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, FFCCCI President Francis Chua, Vice-President Alfredo Yao, David Chua and NCCA Executive Director Cecile G. Alvarez will open the Parian Festival after a dragon dance, it is followed by the striking of a gong.

Kaisa, the Chinese NGO led by Teresita Ang-See, will display and sell books on Fil-Chinese history published by its institution. A Chinese cooking demonstration will give further ambiance, a rickshaw lent by Rustan’s will deepen local color. Visitors can avail themselves of it for photo sessions.

Evening movies include "Kung Fu Hustle" which features Hong Kong superstar Stephen Chow.

The "Reception Ball Silk Road Style Dance" will depict what was known as the Silk Road. This started in China where the first silk from mulberry worms were produced in 2640 B.C. The silkworm eggs, whose exportation became punishable by Chinese law, were later smuggled to Constantinople (Istanbul) in 550 A.D. The Silk Road extended to Persia (Iran) through the Middle East.

The Chiang Kai Shek Chinese and the Philippine Cultural High School Alumni Dance Troupes will perform, the latter doing the "Shin Jiang Dance". The Eastern Athletic Association will demonstrate the 42-Step Tai-Chi Sword, the Mulan Double Fan and Tai-Chi Kung Fu Fan II.

Dorenett and Daniel Yu will render duets, and with Max Tiu, will sing "The Moon Represents My Heart".

Calligraphy demonstrations will show the very essence of Chinese culture, calligraphy being the written word around which China’s entire civilization was developed. To the Chinese, a beautiful landscape would be worth nothing without the accompanying calligraphy.

Heritage Festival’s working committee consists of the indefatigable Anna Marie "Bambi" Harper, Armita Rufino and Araceli Salas.

* * *

What follows is the statement celebrated Global Village painter Manuel Baldemor has prepared as the rationale for his exhibit "Stockholm Horizons". Scheduled for May 18 at Galerie Y, Glorietta 4, the show opens at 6:30 p.m. and runs through May 31.

What makes a city? Is it the buildings, skyscrapers or the seemingly never-ending procession of people every morning? Or is it the presence of a thriving business climate with appropriate factories and districts?

I believe though that such things are only secondary aspects. A city is principally a forum for mankind’s countless activities. Whether it is a thriving metropolis, a cultural center or an abandoned ruin, the fact is that human beings live or had lived there. And as such, the city is the echo of their hopes, dreams, aspirations or despair and will hold such until the final brick is ground unto dust.

I was quite fortunate last June of 2004 to have stepped on the soil of Stockholm where I was scheduled for two solo art exhibitions in commemoration of our National Day Celebration in Europe under the sponsorship of our Philippine Embassy in Stockholm.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, nestled on hard bedrock and surrounded by lush forests where a lake system meets the sea. On a map, Stockholm appears disjointedly dotted across numerous islands sliced into pieces by the arctic waters. Thus, the moist healthy scent of the sea is ever-present throughout the city. One traverses each island district via a picturesque bridge. Or one can hire a boat and travel throughout the waterways while musing on the scenery. To visit this breathtaking cosmopolitan city is to enter a romantic dream of old world Europe.

It was like visiting another world. By day, the narrow winding streets of Gamla Stan (Old Town) exuded a graceful charm that endeared itself to my heart as a favorite subject for my paintings. At night, the lights from some of Europe’s grandest buildings reflected in the water inlets gave me such inspiration to paint this haven of art and beauty.

If the city reflects the temperament of its inhabitants, then the Swedes exemplify a reflection of it. From a surface judgment, locals may appear reserved. However, when you delve into their culture and begin to meet the people, you’ll find their openness, warmth and hospitality boundless. Total strangers will go out of their way to accommodate your most innocuous pleas for assistance, something I can’t imagine experiencing back home without a brooding suspicion.

I can imagine very well the many thousands who walked on the same cobblestones in the old district of the city. Here truly lingered the breath of Sweden’s heritage for millennia.

A museum from life unfolds,

Colors and brush now calm,

My midsummer experience,

The HORIZONS OF STOCKHOLM.

* * *

Book launchings

On May 26 at 4 p.m., Celia Diaz Laurel’s coffeetable book "Doy Laurel" will be launched at the main hall of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. I remember Celia telling me that the book was actually started by Doy, and as he lay dying, he asked Celia to promise him she would finish the book. Forthwith, Celia buried and busied herself with Doy’s remaining speeches, documents, state papers, photographs, memorabilia, etc.

The book opens with Doy’s youth and ends with his death and the state necrological services which followed.

Yesterday, at Villa San Miguel, Mrs. Rosario P. Melchor, wife of former Ambassador to Russia Alejandro Melchor, launched her book "A Testimony of Faith: The Unfolding Message of Our Lady of Fatima in Russia". A deeply religious woman, Mrs. Melchor ("Charito") chose the launching on the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima.

Earlier, Cynthia Carrion Buck launched her book on Phil-British relations, with Ambassador Peter and Jill Beckingham as guests of honor. Prominent Britishers present were HSBC’s Warner Manning and Unilever’s Howard Belton.