Art and Music

The floral paintings of Betsy Westendorp–exquisite as only her poetic imagination can envision them–are so huge that, presumably, they would be better appreciated in the lobbies of hotels, banks and other towering edifices. Yet, at the Galleria Duemila, they drew riveting admiration.

Art lovers were led by Rachy Cuna who came bearing a bouquet of red, red roses for Betsy. What more appropriate, more logical tribute could the country’s only floral architect have rendered the artist? By the same token, Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz, guest of honor at the exhibit’s opening, felt that weaving in and out of traffic was well worth his time after he saw the awesome display. His sentiment was shared by special guests Bienvenido Tantoco and daughter Nedy.

Starting merely as a hobby for Betsy, painting became such a consuming passion that honing her skills through the years led her to capture on canvas even the ephemeral, evanescent, "ethereal mist of dew"–an enduring shimmer added to the delicate beauty of her flowers.

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Czech Ambassador Stanislav Slavicky may have set a trend with the recent celebration of his country’s national day ending with a musical. The reception began with the Slavickys, Second Secretary Katerina Vovkova, Commercial Counselor Antonin and Libuse Skoumal welcoming guests headed by Undersecretary Franklin and Corazon Ebdalin.

After the toasts and Mr. Slavicky’s speech, Undersecretary Jaime Yambao himself set a precedent by singing both the Czech and Filipino national anthems. Following the sumptuous buffet was a most delightful surprise: the hosts’ son pianist Marek Slavicky, played Santiago’s "Philippine Souvenir" and Mr. Yambao sang arrangements of Dvorak’s New World Symphony, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, with pianist Mary Ann Baclao assisting. Finally, the popular Czech song "Life is just a Game of Chance" was rendered by the Louis Tampoc Band.

In the audience were Ambassadors Renee Veyret and Saber Monsour, Kuwait’s Charge d’Affaires Naveb H. Gha. Al-Otaibi, Glenn Gale, Emelita F. Pimentel, Claus Sudoff, CCP President Nes Jardin, Helmut Gaisberger, Tony Rufino, Nellie Sindayan, and scores more.