04 September 2014 – In the second of a series of Art @ Philcongen exhibits, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto is proudly hosting SAN’ TO’, a two-man show of Philippine Artists Group (PAG) members Romeo “Omel” Masalunga and Antonio “Jun” Afable, Jr., on August 28 for a period of two months, at the Consulate General premises. 

This is the second time this year that the Consulate General is hosting PAG exhibit with the Filipino community in Ontario as part of its art diplomacy program. 

San’ to’, according to Masalunga, is the shortcut or slang for the Filipino expression “Saan ito?” (Where is it?), featuring more than 20 paintings of famous street corners in the city of Toronto. 

The ribbon-cutting of the art exhibit opening was led by PAG founder and former president Maestro Romeo Mananquil and Consul General Junever Mahilum-West, honorary member of PAG.  Omel and Jun stirred the excitement of the guests with a “guessing game” in which participating guests were requested to identify the streets or landmarks depicted in the paintings.  Their works featured famous streets in Toronto such as Yonge, King, Queen, University, College, Front, Alexander, Wellington, Church and Adelaide, as well as the famous Fairmont Royal York Hotel and the Canadian National Tower.

Most of the paintings in oil, ink, watercolor and acrylic were mounted in century-old frames. Filipino-Canadians of different groupings, art enthusiasts and students, and members of the press corps in Ontario were among the guests who attended the opening of the art exhibit which will be on show for two months.

This event was geared once again to promote the talent and creativity of the Filipino artists in Canada and drum up appreciation of Philippine art and culture among the Filipino-Canadian community Ontario-wide.  END