TravelswithCharie

The Evolution of Philippine Culture The story of The Evolution of Philippine Culture began in 1957 when the Fleur de Lis Auditorium at St. Paul University Manila was under construction. Jose L. Reynoso, the architect of the Fleur de Lis, asked his townmate, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, to paint a mural which he envisioned as the focal point of the auditorium’s lobby. The 3.5 meters by 4.5 meters mural was fitted between two pilasters and it is the first thing a theatergoer would see as they enter the foyer from the main portal. The theme, The Evolution of Philippine Culture, was carefully considered to complement the purpose of the Fleur de Lis, that is, to bring to the stage noteworthy musicals and concerts which have since earned the theater the name, “Broadway of Herran”. (Herran was the former name of Pedro Gil Street.) The central figure is that of a muscular Filipino who is intensely beating the drum. The sound is almost palpable. Above him is a Caucasian woman whose head is caugh...

Museo del Tango When you listen to La Cumparsita, you probably will identify it with Argentine tango. But it was composed and first played here in Montevideo in this approximate spot where La Giralda Café and Confectionery once stood. Now it’s part of the iconic Palacio Salvo on Plaza de Independencia in the center of the city. (Link to music video and tango below.) Gerardo Matos Rodriguez The inscription behind Rodriguez reads as follows: “On April 19, 1917, the most famous Tango of all times ‘La Cumparsita’ was played for the first time in this precise spot. Masterpiece of the great Uruguayan composer, Gerardo Matos Rodriguez.” This was the piano where Rodriguez first played La Cumparsita. Sheet Music for La Cumparsita Listen to the music here and watch tango dancers perform to La Cumparsita:  https://youtu.be/19hOIdOw77w?feature=shared Photograph of La Giralda Café and Confectionery, 1917 Notice that there are only men in La Giralda as women were not allowed here. Also note that...