06 June 2014- The Philippine Embassy in Mexico, in cooperation with the Office of Culture of the Mexico City Government, inaugurated on June 3 the one-man exhibit of world-renowned Filipino artist Manuel D. Baldemor at the Galeria Tonalli of the Centro Cultural Ollin Yoliztli.
The exhibit entitled, “La Sincronia Filipino-Mexicana (Philippine and Mexican Synchronicity),” will display more than a hundred of the artist’s artworks until June 23. The paintings are a celebration of Philippine and Mexican relationship and its shared identity brought about by 250 years of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.
In his message, Mr. Baldemor expressed his hope that his artworks and his accomplishment as a Filipino artist will help strengthen the cultural understanding and friendship between the Philippines and Mexico.
For his part, Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. welcomed the guests to the event and gave a brief introduction not only of Mr. Baldemor’s achievements in the field of art but also of his numerous philanthropic works. The Ambassador emphasized that the works on display were a result of the deep impression Mexico left on Mr. Baldemor due, in large part, to the rich cultural legacy that the Philippines and Mexico share.
On the same night, Notimex, one of Mexico’s largest news agencies conducted an interview with Mr. Baldemor, in which the artist shared his elation over returning to Mexico. Mr. Baldemor considers two of Mexico’s most famous painters and muralists, Rufino Tamayo and Diego Rivera, as very influential in his life as a painter and sculptor. He also took the opportunity to invite the Mexican public to visit the museum and partake in the experience of viewing his artworks.
Representatives from the ASEAN Embassies in Mexico, as well as those from the Mexican art society, were on hand to witness the opening and the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The inauguration of this exhibit is one in the line-up of activities prepared by the Philippine Embassy to commemorate the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. END