21 January 2014 - The Philippine Embassy, in collaboration with the Brunei Art Forum, held an art exhibit entitled “Illuminare” from January 16 to 19 at the Malay Technology Museum in Kota Batu, Brunei Darussalam.
The exhibit showcased the art works of Mr. Pancho Piano, a painter, abstractionist, muralist, and a multi-awarded Filipino artist known for his famous glass art works.
The art exhibit opened on January 16 and was graced by the guest of honor, Pehin Orang Kaya Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. Other guests included Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Haji Muhammad Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Muhammad Yunos, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and members of the diplomatic corps.
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Nestor Z. Ochoa gave a brief background on the visiting Filipino artist, as well as a description of the paintings on display during the exhibit. The set of paintings included a series on “Yolanda,” named after the typhoon that recently devastated the Visayas region last year, famous landmarks in Brunei, and other aspects of Brunei history and culture that reflect the close solidarity and friendship of the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam.
Ambassador Ochoa also took the opportunity to thank the Government of Brunei Darussalam for its swift response and generous assistance to the victims of the earthquake in Bohol and super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Mr. Piano also conducted an art clinic, with the theme “The Art of Pancho Piano, 30 years in art making, murals, and stained glass designs” for Brunei art enthusiasts on January 16 with morning (9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) and afternoon (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) sessions.
Thirty participants, composed mostly of students from Pusat Tingkatan Enam (PTE) Megarang and Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billa College, along with their tutors, attended the morning session. The afternoon session was attended by 50 participants composed of students from Nusa Laila Puteri Secondary School (Jangsak Branch), members of the Brunei Art Forum, a group of artists from Zakaria Omar Art Foundation, and other art enthusiasts.
These activities were held in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam and as a personal initiative of Mr. Piano to support the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the Philippines. END