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Showing posts from 2022

Interview with the first Filipino to travel to all 193 UN sovereign countries

Lourdes Ricasa with Capizeños, Peewee Roldan, Mike Ignacio, Dr Munich Conlu There are fewer than 300 people who have visited all 193 United Nations recognized sovereign countries. Odette Aquitania Ricasa is one of them and is the first Filipino to have done so. The last country on her "road to 193" was Iraq, which she visited in August of this year. Ricasa's travels have been authenticated by NomadMania, a non profit organization that validates the countries and regions visited by its community of travelers through a rigorous verification process. Ricasa is also a member of the Travelers Century Club (TCC) having visited 304 of 325 countries, islands and territories on the TCC list. Ricasa is the author of six books (she's currently working on her seventh book), is an accomplished painter, a motivational speaker and a pianist.  Ricasa has received numerous awards including First Prize in an International Speech Contest sponsored by Toastmasters Club and several Best

Kuris Kuris

Kuris Kuris (to doodle) officially opened on December 5th at Ang Panublion Museum. The four featured artists, Lucille Manuel, Nubbin Beldia, Julien Tan and Angie Boluso Viterbo, were classmates at St. Mary's Academy. What started as doodling in grade school for these friends turned into passion projects they embraced through adulthood. Their paintings are rich narratives of their growing up years in Roxas City.  Kuris Kuris exhibition ends December 30. Ophelia in Summer, Oil on Canvas Ophelia in Summer by Lucille Manuel is representative of her style of painting using blue hues and a female subject. The tragic story of Ophelia is not lost to the viewer. This is a bittersweet work which Lucille dedicated to friends and classmates who have left this world. Happy Days, Mixed Media Julien Tan's fascination with pop art manifests itself in this painting, Happy Days. Tan took his interest a step further by adding his personal childhood experiences and recollections to his canvases li

Moving the mountains closer to the seas

"Moving the mountains closer to the seas" is a Shri Vishayas exhibition at Ang Panublion Museum in Roxas City. It celebrates the culture of the Suludnon or the Panay Bukidnon indigenous communities through installations and mixed media that highlight their stories, music and traditions.  The birha is lattice work in bamboo, a material abundant in the hinterlands of Panay. The design allows for ventilation and a modicum of privacy. On a social note, the use of bamboo latticework draws the line between haves and have nots with the former using Capiz shell windows. Peter James Fantinalgo created this birha in collaboration with his grandfather, Tito Reyes Flamiano, a master bamboo craftsman from Cuartero, Capiz. The patadyong or wrap-around skirt is typical clothing worn by women in barrios or rural areas. The artist, Norberto Roldan, embossed an epic story on the skirt and decorated the previously worn fabric with demonetized coins. This series of textiles is entitled, "

Island Life

Baybay Beach We arrived in the Philippines just before typhoon Paeng struck. We were able to make it to our island home before the heavy rains and thunderstorms. As soon as we got off the plane, I decided we'd first eat lunch at the beach. It was a good decision because halfway through our lunch, the rain and wind drove diners from the sand to cover indoors.  Post typhoon, we drove around the city and found this quiet beach.  We went to various schools to give school supplies through my foundation, BalayniCharie. This elementary school in Panitan was inundated and the floodwaters peaked just below the window.  The books were destroyed and swept away by the flood. In my neighborhood, we organized a distribution of school supplies for the kids and donated pre-owned clothes, shoes and slippers for the adults. The kids also had some hot chicken soup.  An hour and a half away in Pilar, we gave school supplies to 306 children at San Esteban Elementary School. It's been a busy week. M

Stories from Krakow

St. Mary’s Basilica The current Basilica was built in the 14th century on the foundation of an older church from the 13th century. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site which includes the entire Stare Miasto (Old Town) of Krakow. Jan Matejko, the foremost painter of Poland designed the polychrome murals of the Basilica and the wooden altarpiece behind the main altar was carved by Veit Stoss in the 15th century. It depicts the life of Jesus and Mary. The altarpiece was dismantled and hidden in various locations across Poland just before World War II broke out but was found by the Nazis and taken to Germany. It was recovered in 1946 and had to undergo major restoration before its reinstallation at the Basilica in 1957. There is a guided tour of the St. Mary’s and tickets can be purchased at their office which is on the side of the main portal overlooking Main Square. St. Mary’s Basilica I wondered why the people were gathering in front of the Basilica. It turns out that a trumpete

Overnight in Linz

Hauptplatz (Main Square) It was a pleasant day in May as I strolled around the third biggest city in Austria. But I found few people in the streets and the commercial district was quiet. I guess people go home when the shops are closed. Trinity Column You’ll find a Trinity column in many cities in Europe. This 20-meter high plague column is made of Unsterberg marble and is an offering of gratitude from the Emperor Charles VI and the townspeople for having evaded the worst of the plaque in the 17th century, the attacks of the Ottoman Empire and the War of the Spanish succession. Hauptplatz Pastel painted buildings and terrace restaurants surround the main square of Linz. Hauptlatz Newly planted spring flowers are a sight for sore eyes.  Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (New Cathedral) The Immaculate Conception is the largest church in all of Austria. It can accommodate 20,000 people. Completed in 1924, it has been undergoing restoration to replace its “crumbling sandstone” and oth