Hidilyn Diaz wins first Gold Olympic gong for the Philippines. A woman weightlifter gave the country its first Olympic Gold (Tokyo 2020) medal. She’s won an Olympic Silver medal for the sport in Rio 2016. Despite the lack of athletic funding and support from the government, Diaz triumphed to become a pillar of strength, hope, and inspiration. Such a great Olympic moment.
#LakasAtTapang #LabanBabae #Olympics2020
Photo credit: Olympics.com
Highly acclaimed visual artist, Edbon Sevilleno, shocks the public with his out of this world creative concept for his show at the opening of “DASUN“, a group exhibition at the Art District in Mandalagan, Bacolod City. This exhibition is also in celebration of the 30th year of Visayas Islands Visual Arts Exhibition and Conference or VIVA ExCon, the Visayas-wide biennale which started in 1990.
Bed of Dreams
These past few months of quarantine, Maestro Edbon, had kept snapshots on his phone (and in his head) of his daughters lying in their bedrooms while browsing through their smartphones. An image or habit that has become a norm in the time of quarantine, hence the inspiration for the show’s title: BEDKO.
From that imagery, it dawned on him that when one is in isolation, the mind of a human being never wants to be isolated or restrained. It craves to imagine, it continues to create, it wants to communicate. It wants to travel to places. Places and universes even the physical body couldn’t wander about.
When the coronavirus pandemic hit the hardest and city borders were controlled, we paused, some stopped, and some unfortunately succumbed to the virus. It shocked humanity. It brought changes, very drastic changes in our jobs, our plans, our ongoing activities—our dreams. No matter what manner of coping one did, it is important that we have reacted; and, whether we reacted well or not, here’s hoping that one did what one had to do.
The Assemblage
At the centre of Edbon Sevilleno’s The Black Room / Studio 57, is the exhibit’s star, the “bed of dreams” (or bed of ideas, howsoever you want to interpret it). Surrounding the bed are different works from past to present: The Obreros Series, Collages and Montages, Kalye Art Series, and new works and installations conceived during the quarantine period.
Crazy Poor Asians
The “Obreros: Mga Balatyagun para sa Mamumugon” is featured in commemoration of its first launch on May 1, 2010 (Labor Day). A brilliant way to revisit the show from ten years ago which paid tribute to the farmers and their everyday struggles. After over a decade, let us ask ourselves what has changed in the plight of our farmers? Are they still living in poverty while the hacienderos have become crazier and richer?
Lagaw-lagaw, Pinta-pinta
Edbon Sevilleno is known for his Kalye Art. He is always inspired in the exploration of the everyday life on the streets or kalye, be it at the Bacolod Public Plaza, Binondo St. in Manila, or some spice market in the Emirates. Included in this series are paintings of houses from the ’30s and how different they look at the present time. It’s interesting to know that the wooden framings used in these paintings are remnants from the same subjects/houses.
The new installations are inspired by the coronavirus quarantine protocols. Liquor bans, lockdowns and police/military visibility on checkpoints, border controls, are all evident on these works. What’s exciting is the artist’s 57-page coffee table book that is still in progress. It’s called, “Riit”, which can be translated as something eerie or spooky.
Visit Edbon Sevilleno’s BEDKO: Sadto|Subong|Kag Dasun Exhibition at The Black Room / Studio 57, Art District, Mandalagan, Bacolod City. The exhibit runs from November 6, 2020 – January 6, 2021.
Some of most beautiful women in the universe were spotted in a dragon boat in the paradise island of Boracay in the Philippines. Sixteen lovely beauties visited Boracay and were warmly welcomed by the officials and locals of Malay in Aklan, the province where the world-famous island is situated. Aside from paddling in the beautiful shores of Boracay, the contestants also got to try fishnet-making and handicraft-weaving using palm leaves.
The island visit is just one segment of the different pre-pageant activities that all 86 contestants must go through. Such activities include photo shoots, swimwear competition, and women empowerment activations–all leading to the 65th Miss Universe Coronation Night scheduled on the 30th January at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila.
This dragon boat training activity organised for the Miss Universe candidates is a great exposure for the sport of dragon boat. Don’t we all want to live to see the day where every time we mention ‘dragon boat’, we’ll hear: “Oh cool!”, instead of “Sorry, dragon what?”
Here are some the photos of them Confidently Beautiful paddlers!
Thanks to Richelle Louise Singson-Michael and the whole Miss Universe marketing team who made this Dragon Boat segment possible in cooperation with the Department of Tourism, Solar Sports and the Province of Aklan. Watch it air LIVE on 29th January on FOX from The Philippines.
Photos: Department of Tourism, CNN Philippines, Rappler, Inquirer Lifestyle, InterAksyon, Sunstar, Netpinas, Manila Bulletin
Subject: Manjuyod White Sand Bar/Sumapao Shoal
Location: Manjuyod, Bais City, Philippines
Estimated Area: 600+ hectares/7km stretch
Group Tours: Bais City Tourism Council
It was another memorable and successful Masskara Festival I attended in Bacolod City this year.
There is the usual happy vibe street parties, the colorful and vibrant costumes, and the energetic ‘no rain can stop us‘ parade of the Masskara dancers.
Below are some photos from the memorable event.
Guest Blogger/Photographer: Rebecca Tanggote
She’s fierce. No doubt about it. She’s physically strong. Certainly no question about that, too.
Kristine Moyco Gumabay, Tin, KapTin, Kapitana, Chomi, or perhaps to some of us, Chomi Lee Jones.
I want to share with you her other side of fierceness and her amazing strength of character. We have been a sister-brother tandem for more than four years now and have worked together, too, in helping run and administer our dragon boat team for three years in a row, until we assumed the highest (and most difficult) posts in the team as President & Team Captain and Women’s Team Captain.
Good Girl
Through the years past, I have known Tin to be intuitive, goal-oriented and impartial. We have a lot of things in common as well. We’re both Ilonggos and both studied in Catholic schools. She’s still practicing and she always prays–every day and every night. As for me, I just pray and meditate. Period. She’s also a cool big sis to Karla (Guapa girl) and a loving daughter to very supportive parents (Tita Myrna & Tito Oscar) whom I have met and dined with.
Simple Woman
When we’re not paddling or running, we both share and find joy in simple things like: piaya (a Bacolod City delicacy), copi at Hawker centres, bread (any bread), waffles, bananas, chewy junior, pho at Nam-nam, chats at MRT stations, et cetera. And while sports would sometimes limit us physically, it is good that we have each other to talk, share and take each other’s advice to remedy our minor physical pains and injuries. Oh, yes, we go to the same Osteopathy Centre.
Dragon Lady
This year, she finally focused on her triathlon dreams and I, on the other hand, was catapulted to a national post in dragon boating. With our busy schedules (aside from our real jobs), we still continue to offer help and support to our beloved dragon boat team; and we are indeed grateful to our experienced successors who are so focused and so patient with the administration, special projects facilitation and most of all, the training tasks. Well done, Kapitana Mickee, Kap Jaz, Kap Jen, Kap Marian, Kap Kel, IDBC & FilCom Rep Paul and the rest of the committee officers. Salute!
Tin-Factor
In 2013, I was happy to have joined and supported Kristine at the Nusajaya International Triathlon at Puteri Harbour in Nusajaya, Malaysia. It was my first time to watch a (serious) Triathlon race and I really enjoyed it. As a supporter, you can actually feel, very strongly, the high spirits and aggression of the athletes. You become one with their aspirations. You cheer, you worry a bit, you cheer again and again and again, until you cry. I did. I just wish I can always tag along and support her and all my triathlete friends in all their races. Trust me, our support really means a lot to them.
Just recently, Tin finished and championed her own timing in the IRONMAN 70.3 Cebu in Cebu City, Philippines. This two-wheeled gladiator is coming back to Cebu next year, and this time, she will take part in the Coed Relay race category with Australia-based swimmer Joseph Tan and Singapore-based runner Lino Arboleda. Hey Cebu! Watch out for #sephlintinskins!
Cheerleader
This forthcoming 16th November 2014, she will be representing the BBTri Team in IRONMAN 70.3 Ballarat, in Ballarat, Australia. She’s joining our other friends: Cunning Colin, Athletic Aleah, Kinetic Karen and Jazzy Jix. Tin has been my cheerleader as I am to her, and, on a personal note, I want to wish her a fun, happy, powerful and safe 70.3 Ballarat journey. We will be tracking your progressions, while silently praying and loudly cheering for you!
On a final note – Tin is not only a kind, respectful little sister to me but also one of my fitness inspirations. She’s an athlete and she was simply born that way—inspiring.
Images: Nurain Binti Wahab (I met Nur in Nusajaya. She was documenting her husband’s triathlon race through her DSLR and while the swim leg is ongoing, we had a good chat by the harbour. “Don’t worry, just tell me when your wife is coming and I will take photos of her and send to you.”, she sweetly offered. “Oh, she’s my sister. Terima kasih!”)
As translated by Donnie Valenciano
If only we could communicate,
So near, couldn’t even embrace.
How may I send my well wishes?
I can’t; as you’re agonisingly far.
Our situation, I want to fathom;
It’s stereotypical, it’s difficult.
It’s against society’s dictates.
It is what it is.
Though many may not agree,
I still wish to show;
My utmost care.
In a more serious way,
The kind which is pure.
The kind that is true.
Uncertainty will surely be our destination,
Unless both of us are self-assured of our feelings.
To others, this may be illicit;
Often labelled as something taboo.
Thus we try to keep hidden,
All our meetings.
It’s not yet time,
Not now.
You may not value what we now have,
Until you have clarity.
I wish, though,
That you’ll be authentic,
And fully accept yourself.
Wholly and sincerely embrace it.
What we have may be withheld,
I still believe this will grow into something.
Are we contented with the way things are?
Speaking in whispers,
The winks,
Hidden glances,
Stolen moments of euphoria.
Fight, fight with me.
But, have you known,
Who’s the enemy?
Your self or society?
Only way to win this,
Is through courage.
Ready to be persecuted;
Ready to be judged.
I trust that in time,
There’ll be a chance for us.
I want to believe,
In this league of our own.
The month of August is “Buwan ng Wika” or the “National Language Month” in the Philippines. As Filipinos continue to foster and celebrate it back home (mainly in schools), this poem (or tula in Filipino) is appropriate to be shared–a way of celebrating and showing love for the language.
In essence, more to the celebration, it is also a time to reflect on how the language has helped forge the nation’s culture, history, and journey to freedom.
Like this poem (originally in Filipino: “Magkasalungat na Liga”), may it nurture your own relationship journey–to love, be loved, and connect. A connection that is authentic, interdependent, and, unavoiding of shame.
Some important dates this August 2014:
8: MAAD Pyjamas 2014, Red Dot design Museum
9: Singapore National Day
9: Whitney Houston’s 51st Birthday
9: Temple Run – Nidana Youth, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
9: Singapore ComiFest 2014, Suntec Convention Hall
11-14: Waiting for the Elevator, Multimedia Installation by Sarah Choo Jing, Tunnel, Esplanade
12: Groove Works Session 2 2014, Blu Jaz Cafe
13: Bigshot 52, Atrium at Ngee Ann Polytechnic
14: Hot Pants – Musical by Dick Lee, Drama Centre Theatre
15-31: My World. My Home / Preserving Stories, Community Wall, Esplanade
16: NOISE: The Apprenticeship Programme, Singapore Art Museum
21: Ninoy Aquino Day, Philippines
23: SPAWN Spag Day 2, Batam Cable Ski Park
25: National Heroes Day, Philippines
30: SDBA-AustCham 10km Dragon Boat Challenge, Marina Reservoir
In Photo: Art Installation by Simone Konigshausen
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