Overseas Filipino Workers Create Commemorative Art Celebrating Intercultural Friendship Between the Philippines and Hong Kong

The product of the 4-day painting sessions under Hong Kong PCG’s Sentro Rizal Art Studio

HONG KONG 24 March 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong continues to deliver on its mission to advance Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) art in Hong Kong. Last 16 March 2025, the Consulate’s Sentro Rizal Hong Kong received the final product of its Sentro Rizal Hong Kong Art Studio Painting Sessions on the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and China this year. The painting sessions took place on Sundays from 16 February to 16 March 2025 at the Sentro Rizal Hong Kong.

The Philippine Consulate collaborated on this creative endeavor with Guhit Kulay, an organization of OFW artists, which included participants Ms. Marilyn S. Lopez, Ms. Rosalie Razon, Ms. Marichel L. Tomines, Ms. Jhoan Estrera, Ms. Jonalyn M. Molina, Ms. Maria Christina C. Anire, Ms. Lenin G. Flores, Ms. Arlene Madriaga, Ms. Cecilia A. Eduarte, Ms. Angie Brotamonte, Ms. Melissa Sweet C. Anire, and Mr. Lorelito G. Eludo in its talented roster of membership. With the guidance of Sentro Rizal Hong Kong, the OFW artists produced two (2) matching paintings which tell a story that denotes an intercultural friendship between a Filipino and a Hong Konger through symbolic cultural codes.

As the saying goes, a picture paints a thousand words. The two paintings depict the journey of the two friends, one from the Philippines, depicted by the Sampaguita, the Philippines’ national flower, and another from Hong Kong, portrayed by the Bauhinia, Hong Kong’s orchid tree, famously depicted as the city’s emblem. These two flowers are arranged beautifully on a ceramic vase in Chinese design, representing China. In sum, the beautifully painted floral arrangements represent the harmonious intermingling of Filipinos and Hong Kongers in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR).

The Filipino friend’s space in the Philippines is decorated with designs that represent Philippine heritage, such as the inabel table runner, capiz windows, and the kakanin served with Chinese tea contained in a Chinese tea set. The Hong Konger’s space in China’s world city, on the other hand, is represented through the jade-green wallpaper backdrop, Chinese medicine cabinet, and the placement of items from the Philippines, such as the tablecloth featuring calado lace embroidery and South Sea Pearls.

Vice Consul Allan G. Revote, the Consulate’s Head of the Cultural Section, received the finished works from Guhit Kulay on behalf of Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan and the Consulate last 16 March 2025. The inseparable works of art are now displayed prominently at the Sentro Rizal Hong Kong and will serve as the Consulate’s official artwork commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and China for the whole year. END.

Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan marvels at the showpieces being created by OFW-artists for the Sentro Rizal Art Studio Painting Sessions Project.

(Top) Guhit Kulay members, together with Vice Consul Revote, conceive the design and individual elements of the paintings. (Bottom) The artists devote their time and talent to produce two works of art.

Vice Consul Allan G. Revote graciously receives the commemorative paintings from Guhit Kulay artists.

For more information, visit https://www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph  or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/ .