PHL Embassy in Jakarta and Filcom Mount Fund-raising Event to Benefit Displaced School Children of Marawi

Mr. Mark Castro, Secretary General of the Philippine Business Club Indonesia, doing double duty as auctioneer of the painting Symphony of Colors

05 September 2017 - The Filipino community in Indonesia, in cooperation with the Embassy, organized Symphony of Colors: A Dinner Event on August 19, held at JS Luwansa Hotel, Jakarta. The event was aimed at raising funds to benefit displaced children of Marawi.

The event centered around an auction of a 36” X 36” painting “Symphony of Colors,” donated by renowned Filipino artist Manuel Baldemor. He explained during the event that the painting represents the close affinity between the Philippines and Indonesia; with similarities between the two countries (with depictions of world famous landmarks in both countries) celebrated in the painting. Also prominently featured in the painting are the Philippines’ Sarimanok and Indonesia’s Garuda symbols.

Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta mentioned in her opening remarks that this is not the first time that Mr. Baldemor, with his big heart, contributed for a cause in Indonesia. In 2004, he also raised funds for the victims of the Aceh earthquake in an event organized then by the ASEAN Secretariat.

Aside from a sumptuous dinner, patrons were also treated to a question and answer session with Mr. Baldemor, as well as performances by Filipino teachers in Jakarta.

One hundred tickets were sold to both Filipino and Indonesian friends for the event. The painting was sold to the highest bidder for an undisclosed amount. Over Rp 130,000,000 (almost US$ 10,000) was raised, and this amount will be turned over to the Embassy for turning over to the Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones. END

Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Lumen B. Isleta and the artist Manuel D. Baldemor with members of the Filipino Community in Indonesia