Philippine Independence Day Exhibit Launched in New York
From left: Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin, Dr. Marcelito Custodio, Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega, Mr. John Ablaza, and Mrs. Louie Barcelon Locsin at the opening of the exhibit "Maestrong Pilipino" at the Philippine Center. Behind them is the "A Wiping," a work by National Artist Hernando R. Ocampo (photo by NYPCG)
14 June 2017 NEW YORK – The Philippine Center in New York celebrated Philippine art, culture, design, and music at the launch of the “Maestrong Pilipino”, an Independence Day exhibit at the Philippine Center in New York.
“Maestrong Pilipino” is a rare exhibit featuring the works of National artists Vicente Manansala, Cesar Legaspi, Hernando R. Ocampo, Arturo Luz, Jerry Elizalde Navarro, Ang Kiukok, Jose T. Joya, Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera, and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, as a special offering to the public in commemoration of the 119th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.
The works of other renowned Filipino artists Manuel D. Baldemor, Manuel Rodriguez, Sr., Mauro Malang Santos, Rene Robles, Eduardo Castrillo, Lao Lian Ben, Solomon Saprid, and Abdulmari Toym de Leon Imao, Jr. are also on display at the lobby gallery and Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center located in the heart of New York City.
These works artists are part of the Philippine Center’s art collection acknowledged as one of the more notable collections of modern Philippine art outside the Philippines.
“Many of the artworks on exhibit hang in the private offices and are not readily seen by regular visitors to the Center. To see them now on display for the duration of our national day celebration is truly a visual feast, a pure pleasure and delight,” said Ms. Lenore R. S. Lim, 2004 Pamana ng Pilipino Awardee and President of the RS Lim Foundation for the Arts.
Dr. Marcelito Custodio, President of the Society of Philippine American Artists, Inc. (SPAA), provided a well-researched introduction and background of the art pieces and their corresponding artists.
A collection of miniature Filipiniana gowns and dresses by fashion designer and artist John Ablaza were loaned to the Center and were also on display during the launch program, delighting the guests with their details and designs.
New York and New Jersey based singer Kirby Asunto and musician and conductor Michael Dadap serenaded the guests with beautiful renditions of Visayan songs.
Refreshments at the opening were provided by newly-opened Brooklyn-based Filipino coffee shop “Mountain Province Espresso Café” – a pioneering Filipino-American enterprise serving coffee varieties from Benguet Province as well as native Philippine delicacies.
The “Maestrong Pilipino” exhibit is a project of the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Philippine Center and runs until June 30, 2017.
For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHConsulateNY. END
Ani ng Dangal awardee Kirby Asunto (left) and musician Michael Dadap (right) perform a beautiful medley of Visayan songs.