Flores de Mayo: a Marian exhibit/Our World-Tuesday

Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) is a Catholic and Aglipayan festival held in the Philippines during the month of May.  It is celebrated through the whole month of May, in honor of the Virgin Mary, making Flores de Mayo a huge religious event.  The devotion of  Filipinos to Catholicism does not only revolve around the church and its rituals but also on images of veneration known as "santos".   These "santos" are cherished by the families who own them, and lavishly processioned during Lent, fiestas and religious holidays. 

My friends and I were at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan province on Saturday.  Barasoain Church is one of the most important religious and historical structures in the Philippines--this is where the first Philippine Congress was convened in 1898, the drafting of the Malolos Constitution from 1898-1899 and the site of the First Philippine Republic in 1899.  

Beside the church is the museum where we chanced upon this Marian exhibit called "Hermandad dela Virgen Maria", on its 21st year, in honor of the Virgin Mary, the Queen of Flowers.

Each figure in this exhibit alludes to the title of the Virgin Mary.  I didn't recognize most of them but the one with pink roses on her head is Rosa Mystica (Mystical Rose); the golden wreath symbolizes the crown of saints or Reyna de los Santos; there's one holding a palm branch, Reyna de los Apostoles, queen of apostles; carrying a wand with star is Reyna de las Estrellas, and Reyna Justicia, queen of justice--she carries a sword and a weighing scale.

I've learned all these by watching the Santacruzan since I was very young---the highlight of our summer vacation before going back to school. The Santacruzan is a religio-historical beauty pageant held on the last day of the Flores de Mayo.  It is held in towns and cities all over the Philippines.

As a non-Catholic, I look at these statues not as religious icons but works of art. The intricate embroidery, the rich, handmade adornments, the beautiful sculpted faces are fascinating. Obviously, these images were based on European models but these were actually carved and painted by Filipino hands. These figures celebrate the exuberant art of our "santos" makers, and they tell a story of how faith grew in this country--the historical model was European, the execution was done locally, and the product is part of our national heritage today.

And here is my favorite---Reyna de los Martires, queen of martyrs, with a pierced heart.  She's also known as Mater Dolorosa.  I love the sad, beautiful expression on her face.

These statues will be paraded around Malolos on May 12th, with marching bands and fireworks, followed by a mass and Santacruzan.

Malolos, Bulacan province is about 42 kilometers north of Manila.

Linking to Our World-Tuesday

Mural/Photo Hunt

 "Peace" mosaic mural along Roxas Boulevard.

 

Linking to Photo Hunt

Dancing Rings/OWT

Right across the Rizal monument at the Rizak Park is a replica of the "Dancing Rings" sculpture by Olympic artist, Jose Datuin.  The sculpture won 1st Prize in the 2008 International Olympic Committee Sport & Art contest at Lausanne, Switzerland in the celebration of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, besting 35 countries.  The winning piece is now permanently housed and exhibited at the International Olympic Committee Museum in Switzerland.

Crafted from stainless steel, the work consists of five rings and ball that is lightly welded on the central ring.  According to the artist, the ball represents the World while the interlocking rings denote One Dream.  It also suggests the form of dancing human figure, creating an exciting infinite movement.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Painted [Photo-Hunt]

@ mirandablue

An expat friend moved to Manila a few months ago, and I accompanied him to buy paintings for his apartment.  I brought him to Malate, a district of Manila---through a narrow alley that houses a row of makeshift art galleries.  It's a treasure trove of artworks painted by local artists.

@ mirandablue

We even caught an artist-in-residence painting a school of colorful fish in acrylic.  These paintings sell from $70 to $200 each---a bargain, according to my friend.

@ mirandablue

Join us at Photo-Hunt

Public art @ BGC [MWT]

@ mirandablue

Spotted this sculptural installation during my afternoon walk at Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City (BGC).  BGC has been showcasing big art pieces around strategic locations in this fast-rising, highly-urbanized residential and commercial district.  One weekend, I'll drive around BCG for an art tour to share with you a number of exciting public art pieces that create a vibrant environment for people who work, live and play here.
I couldn't find any info on this sculpture...it reminds me of ET and Paul, the alien.:p

@ mirandablue

Bonifacio Global City is located at the former military base (Fort Bonifacio) in Taguig City, and between the business hubs of Makati and Ortigas Center.  It is linked to Manila's major thoroughfares and seven access points, and a few minutes to both domestic and international airports.

My contribution to My World-Tuesday

Hands [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue

A Cordillerano wood carver demonstrating his skill through his hands.  Indigenous wood carvers from the Cordillera region are famous for their creations---from key chains to life-size statues, furniture and home decor.  Traditional motifs of the carvings are closely associated to their culture, such as bul'ul, indigenous people and animals.  Bul'ul  or anito figures are representations of an Ifugao God that guards the spirits of rice granaries and forests.  Ifugaos also believe that the spirit of their ancestors reside in the Bul'ul sculpture.  More about bul'ul here.  

Even in a region rich in cultural heritage as the Cordillera, there are fears that traditional motifs would disappear from their tribal art especially as the rituals and way of life for which they were originally created are beginning to become extinct.

Bul'ul

Posted for Photo Hunt

Silent, quiet [Tahimik]

         @ mirandablue         Silent Companion by Seb Chua

Gusto kong bigyan pugay si Seb Chua, ang gumawa ng sculpture na ito sa Eastwood Mall.  Istatwa ng aso at tao na tinawag n'yang "Silent Companion". 

click to enlarge

Nakakalungkot ang kalagayan ng maraming aspin na pakalat-kalat sa kalsada.  Naturingan na "man's best-friend" pero bakit maraming umaabuso sa aso?  Nag-aalala ako kapag umuulan kung may nasisilungan ba sila.  Nakakakain ba sila at hindi pinag-mamalupitan?

Ang pag-alaga ng anumang hayop ay isang responsibilidad.  Nagugutom, nauuhaw, nasasaktan at nangangailangan sila ng kalinga.  Sana h'wag balewalain at pabayaan na lang.

Si Fritz, ang aking tahimik na kaibigan at kasama.  Naghihintay at masayang sumasalubong sa akin sa pinto, taga-gising ko sa umaga, nakakapawi sa pagod, nakakapagpangiti at nakakapagpasaya sa akin, at tahimik na nakikinig lang sa mga hinaing ko.  Hindi man s'ya nakakapagsalita, alam n'yang mahal ko s'ya.  At sa pagkawag lang ng kanyang buntot, alam kong masaya din s'ya.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue                                                                                                             Fritz- My Silent Companion

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.”

For Thursday Two Questions:
1.  Would you prefer silence or angry words?
2.  If your dog/cat could talk, what would he/she tell you?

Plastic [Litratong Pinoy]

Isang malaking ka-plastikan ang ibabahagi ko sa 'yo ngayong Huwebes. Napakarami kasing plastic sa ating paligid. Kaya siguro naisipan ng isang malikhaing Pinoy na gawin ang sangkatutak na plastic bottles na ito bilang isang work of art.Hindi ko nga lang mawari kung ano ito--parang kamag-anak ni R2-D2, parang smiley naman ang isa. Pero ang galing di ba? Kaysa naman maitambak pa ang mga ito sa landfill, o kaya bumara sa ating mga kanal.

Nakita ko itong naka-display sa Greenbelt 3 noong isang taon.

Join us at Litratong Pinoy

Husay/skill [Litratong Pinoy]

Kagagaling ko lang ng Cebu at nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na ipakita ang husay at galing ng Pinoy sa aking katrabahong dayuhan. Di lang maabilidad ang Pinoy, mahusay tayo sa paglikha ng magagandang obra. Ang nasa itaas ay mesang may WOW-factor---gawa sa inlaid multi-layered shells at stainless steel top. Show-stopper, di ba? Isa lang ang pabrikang ito sa mga gumagawa para sa mga sikat at mamahaling fashion houses sa ibang bansa katulad ng Armani-Casa, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Lane Crawford at iba pa.

Magaling ang kamay ng Pinoy, malikhain, pulido ang gawa. Ang dalawang manong ay iilan lang sa mga taga-ukit ng magagarang muebles na ini-export sa Middle East, America, Europe at Asia.

Sa kantahan, di rin tayo papatalo syempre. May Pinoy ba na hindi marunong kumanta? Mahuhusay kumanta at tumugtog ng gitara ang mga taga-Cebu. Pero si manong, iba ang talent---hinarana kami sa pamamagitan ng 28-string harp habang kumakain sa SuTuKil. Lalo kaming ginanahan sa pagkain!

Ang ibig sabihin pala ng SuTuKil, sa mga di pa nakakain dito, ay tatlong paraan sa pagluto ng seafoods---SUgba (grilled), TUla (prepared with soup), KILaw (raw fish/shells, seaweed salad).

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Broken [Photo Hunt]

Who said that crushed windshields and glass are useless and belong to the junk pile? Naturally, we want to get rid of those sharp and dangerous fragments. But before throwing away a broken glass, think of the tons of glass bottles and jars buried into our landfills each day. Recycling glass is an excellent way to reduce waste, save construction costs and help the environment.

I know somebody who transforms broken pieces of tempered glass into beautiful functional home accessories. A hobby that turned into a business. These candle holders are hand-crafted from broken windshields---these pieces are colorful and rough; they're perfectly imperfect, and there in lies the charm.

Posted for Photo-Hunt

Red Topiaries [Ruby Tuesday]

I hope you're not taking down your Christmas decor yet. In the Philippines, we usually remove the Christmas decor on the night of January 5th (Three Kings or Epiphany), or the Twelfth Night. In some cultures, it is believed to be bad luck to take down Christmas decor before the Twelfth Night.

Because my family has no Christmas traditions, I just enjoy myself getting creative with Christmas decor. When you're too lazy to put up a tree, or your apartment is too small to accommodate a real Christmas tree, then these pearly capiz cone-shaped topiaries would make a festive table accent.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

" Always leave something to wish for; otherwise, you will be miserable from your very happiness."

~ Baltasar Gracian

Slim Santa [Ruby Tuesday]

Santa is on a diet, so don't leave milk and cookies for him! Centuries of junk food and snacks have taken their toll on Santa's waistline. He's been warned of his cholesterol levels so he's cutting on sugar, carbs, and alcohol. Leave him apples and some bananas.

"There are three stages of a man's life: He believes in Santa Claus, he doesn't believe in Santa Claus, he is Santa Claus."

- Author Unknown

These slim santas were designed by Weennee Lagdameo of Accent Pieces.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Curved [Photo-Hunt]

Delightful symmetries of interlacing wires forming curved lines and geometric patterns. A fruit bowl with flowing curves, rendered seamlessly in iron. A set of angular wall decor designed in spherical convex curve to give an illusion of a diverging mirror. These are designed by a Filipino artisan, manufactured in Antipolo.

Posted for Photo-Hunt, hosted by TN Chick

Driftwood - Watery Wednesday

Driftwood often connotes a negative image---directionless, no plans, floating, and yes, useless. Some would call it marine debris, garbage. And in some coastal areas, driftwood is a major nuisance. But what most of us don't know is that driftwood provides shelter and food for birds, fish and other marine species as it floats in the ocean. Driftwood that has been washed ashore also shelters birds, plants and other species, and can become the foundation for sand dunes. Decomposed driftwood is gradually reintroduced to the food chain.

I personally find driftwood interesting---the shapes crafted by the elements are a natural wonder, they're strange and wonderful. And they certainly enhance the beauty of this beach in Cagbalete Island.

In the Philippines, where artisans are continually in search for sustainable materials for decorative home accessories, furniture and other art forms, driftwood has been crafted into functional tabletops, and sculpted into amazing shapes.

a functional birdhouse

a life-size horse sculpted out of driftwood

Posted for Watery Wednesday