Twin treasures

MANILA, Philippines - Two beautiful books have come off the press from ArtPostAsia Books that will make welcome gifts this season.

The first book celebrates common plants in the country, most of which we take for granted. One would never have thought that the kamote (sweet potato) or kamatsile and similar plants commonly considered indigenous to the Philippines had actually made a long voyage via the Galleon Trade before taking root in Philippine soil.

“Flora Filipina – from Acapulco to Manila” traces the origins of these botanical travelers on the galleons that sailed to the shores of the Philippines.

This beautifully illustrated book reintroduces plants that have become integrated in the culture of the Filipinos as both material and motif. Each of the 31 species featured in the book are presented with their scientific names and descriptions with notations on how each of them have become part of the culture and lives of Filipinos – in their cuisine, their clothing and their way of life. 

The book is based on an exhibition, “Flora Filipina from Mexico to Manila” which shows how flora was part of the history of the Galleon Trade and how they enriched the native landscape and lives of the local population. The Galleon Trade brought highly cultivated crops to the Philippines like the avocado, kamatsile, piña (pineapple), kamatis (tomato), kakaw (cocoa), mani (peanut) and mais (corn) to name some.

The authors of Flora Filipina – from Mexico to Manila are Corazon Alvina, director of the National Museum of the Philippines, and Domingo Madulid, Curator II of the Botany Division of the National Museum.

The second book, “Celebrating the Source – Water Festivities of Southeast Asia” focuses on the cultural celebrations of the Southeast Asian countries revolving around rivers and water as the source of physical and spiritual life.

This is the latest regional project of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information, transcending national boundaries through a collaborative effort across the ten countries of the regional grouping – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.   

Tackling four major themes of water, the book begins with water in the natural environment and progresses as part of a seasonal cycle (life and climate) affecting religious and spiritual practices, to water being the center of spectacle and mega sporting events, as well as contemporary environment concerns in the ASEAN countries today.

It discusses beloved water festivals of the region as well as significantly unique water rituals and observances within the ASEAN communities. Through compelling images and insightful texts, Celebrating the Source brings together for the first time rarely published material and photographs from scholars, photographers and cultural advisors working under the aegis of ASEAN and country cultural agencies.

The books are available in major local and regional bookstores. For inquiries please email [email protected].