ARTS & CULTURE: Parkfest at Nayong Pilipino on May 28 & 29

The only time I ever went to the old Nayong Pilipino – the theme park of popular Filipino tourist attractions that was just few paces away from NAIA Terminal 1 - was during a school trip back in the 90s. I was in the fourth grade and unfortunately, it was raining that day. We couldn’t explore the park on foot and so had to have lunch on the bus. We waited it out – hoping the rain would let up – but if I remember right, it never did. Boo hoo.

I never stepped inside the park again, and evidently I never will be able to since it closed down in the 2000s. But apparently – much to the delight of many - it has been resurrected and taking shape again in the former orchidarium of Rizal Park. It is nothing like its former self – yet – but as we all know, one should start something at some point even if the situation is less than ideal.

This weekend, May 28 to 29,  the folks of Common Room will be taking over the grounds and will be a washing it with their own kind of cool. There will be art installation by local artists, picnic pop-up with local makers, music, food, and many many many hours of art tambay. If you want to take a break from the usual as well take a peek at the on-going construction of the Museum of National History, head to Nayong Pilipino at the Rizal Park this weekend. 

Parkfest will run from May 28 to 29 at the Nayong Pilipino Park in Rizal Park. 

Nayong Pilipino is back from the dead! Whoop! Whoop!

At the Nayong Pilipino Park is this traditional house of highland people in the Mountain Province. 

One needs to pay to join on the fun. Pay for two days and she gets a P10 discount. 

Good music at this weekend's Parkfest!

Here's the schedule on Sunday, May 29 

Here's a map to Parkfest, just in case you need some help. 

Images from Nayong Pilipino Facebook Page. 

ARTS AND CULTURE: Semana Santa: Senakulo 2016

It is the Catholicism of the past centuries - theatrics with a healthy dose of barbarism. 

Senakulo, the dramatization of the Passion of Christ, is quite a popular practice here in predominantly Catholic Philippines. Staged during Semana Santa or Holy Week, it is a rather captivating spectacle whose highlight is the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday.

More popular in the provinces, the most famous of which is the one staged in barangay San Pedro Catud in San Fernando, Pampanga. It is well-known for the flagellations and crucifixion of penitents. People from all over – some even from abroad - come just to witness this lenten custom.

Apart from its relevance to Holy Week, part of the appeal is perhaps the savagery. In this day and age of political correctness, the sight of one nailed on a cross is just too novel and riveting. Even with all the violence reported every day and purported by the entertainment industry, to be across a person crucified by his own accord remains to be quite surreal.

The mall next door, named after a Catholic saint, annually puts on its own production of the Passion of Christ. But in their case, like their grand New Year celebrations on December 30, the Senakulo is done a little bit early. The mall will be closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, so it’s just logical to have the show during the weekend of Palm Sunday.

Cainta Nazareno Inc. presented this year’s Senakulo and did it in poetic form. The audio was a bit spotty during the first few minutes but eventually evened out. The actors certainly made up for it with their spirited performance as well as their characters’ fantastic costumes and the larger than life set.  

The evening started with a procession around the mall then followed by a mass. It was Palm Sunday and most of the faithful had a palaspas in their hands. Then, there was the second part of the Senakulo – the first half presented the evening before – which lasted about three hours. In the end, we were left with just a cross on stage. But unlike other kinds of production, the finale didn’t leave the expected satisfying sense of completion. Instead, at the risk of sounding cliche, it indeed left a feeling of emptiness.  

Crucified Jesus flanked by the two thieves.

Roman Centurions all dressed up and ready for the procession.

Pharisees!

The kids of Judaea

More of the cast in their rather nice costumes!

The cast getting pretty waiting for the go signal.

The evening starts with the procession of characters

The chariot awaits for the Roman Governor

Before the Senakulo was the celebration of the Eucharist.

People waiting patiently for the mass and the senakulo

Lots of people! Chairs placed along the crossing for them to sit on.

The Roman Governor of Judaea and his family.

One of the thieves that's about to be crucified

The other thief  being paraded in front of the crowd

Jesus on the way to his trial before Pontius Pilate. 

The men of Judaea

Palm Sunday.  The mass started with the blessing of palms.

Mary pleading for help for her son Jesus

Some folks of the Sanhedrin

Even the people on the bridge are captivated!

Sanhedrin trial of Jesus

Jesus in front Pontius Pilate

Jesus at Herod's Court

The scourging of Jesus at the pillar

The crowning of thorns

Pilate's wife blaming him for the death of their son

Jesus carrying his own cross

The audience looks on, rather captivated. 

The production is legit, with lights, sounds, and a camera man!

The curtains opened and there He was crucified to the cross. 

The cross is now being erected with the crucified Jesus. 

Crucified Jesus. Yes. This man has his hands crucified to the cross. 

The dead Jesus being taken down from the cross while children are looking on.

The dead Jesus in the arms of his devastated mother. 

The cross where Jesus died.

                                              

10 things I learned from a Travel Sketching Workshop with Robert Alejandro

To while away the hours, sketching in Piazza Navona, would be the dream.
Unfortunately, I could hardly draw a straight line. But perhaps, there’s still hope for me yet.

So when I found out that the talented Robert Alejandro was holding a Travel Sketching Workshop, I was one of the first – sixth actually. I saw it on the sign sheet – to reserve a slot.

The first time I met Robert Alejandro, it was for work. I was writing a paper story for Real Living Magazine and we wanted to learn more about how one recycles paper. We tried to talk to the Papemelroti people and so tapped Robert. He’s the RO in the name of the charming store which Filipinos have been obsessed with these past fifty years.  We met one afternoon at Dulcinea in Glorietta IV and spent an hour talking about paper and other things.  

The Travel Sketching Workshop was held at the Ateneo Art Gallery last March 3. Armed with a sketchpad and a couple of pens, I climbed the lib steps and walked through the front door. I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn’t the only tita in the room but in fact was a group of students of all ages!

“Travel Sketching is a way of documenting a particular space in time,” says Robert.  And quite an intimidating one to a person who could hardly draw. He shared more pieces of advice and here are the ten that really spoke to me.  It seems like half of it could be applied to things other than drawing.

1. The more you play, the more your work will be better.

2. Don’t be pressured in thinking that it should look the way it should.

3. You have a unique way of looking at things. “That’s the way I see it.” You have a unique way to draw. 

4. Travel illustrations, you have to do it fast.

5. Just draw what you are comfortable to do.

6. When drawing structures or elaborate buildings, draw what makes you captivated. 

7. The better medium is the one you’re comfortable with.

8. Practice. Pressure is the key to any medium.

9. Your work doesn’t have to be perfect. It could be, should be, perfectly imperfect.

10. Just have fun. It should always be a joy to do. 

Spent the afternoon with this guy, talking about traveling, sketching, and finding your own unique artist.

Robert talking about watercolor as a medium
He snapped off a leaf from a plant outside and then proceeded to paint it in watercolor. 

Robert shows us some of his works

He then asked us to go outside and just draw from nature.
Robert, and a couple of participants, sketching on the lib steps.

Here's Robert sketching. 

Here's my pathetic attempt at sketching. 

EVENTS: #GREATBritishFestival 2016 at High Street in BGC

For this anglophile, it was the next best thing.

The #GREATBritishFestival – a celebration of things that put the GREAT in Great Britain, was held last weekend from 26- 28 February at the Bonifacio High Street. British brands, from Retail to Automotive, set up booths to do their duty and became good ambassadors of the land of the afternoon tea. 

Guests are given a piece of paper – a sort of map/ passport – which needed to be stamped at booths in order to serve as an entry to the night’s raffle draw. The prize? A free trip to London onboard Etihad Airways. (I flew Etihad Airways to London last June and I was there in 19 hours!)

This anglophile and her not-anglophiles-but-very-supportive friends stayed well through the night.
And though we didn’t win a free trip, we were quite glad we came. 

You have to pass through Tower Bridge to get to the Great British Festival.

Fancy a cup of Twinings Tea?

Nothing says British more than these two - the red post box and the red telephone booth.
With people using mobile phones, it's a wonder these phone booths still exists.

Some folks enjoying the afternoon and some British grub.

It's all in the stride when walking down Abbey Road.

This London dry cleaners apparently got its name from Reginald Jeeves,
P.G. Wodehouse's fictional Valet to a certain Mr. Bertie Wooster.

M & S is the very first British brand I knew and they're still here.

Dyson, the  Rolls Royce of Vacuum Cleaners.

Queen's Guards + Red Telephone Booth spotted at the MotherCare Booth.

Lee Cooper and their Mini Cooper.

The Great British Festival Arc

Even if it's owned by Indian Company Tata Motors, 
Jaguar is still British to me and it seems to the rest of the Kingdom, too.

Dressed like the Queen's Guards, these Fil-Brit Boys are additional attractions
at Jaguar and Land Rover Booth.

If it's good enough for James Bond, it certainly is good enough for us.

Miniature Tudor Houses sit next to the Shakespeare Tent.

A lecture on everyday things we say that we owe to the Bard.

         Here I am, trying to explain why I choose the Shakespeare Quote: Why then the world's mine oyster.

Wonder what happened to the rest of the castle.

Is the Doctor in these parts?
Perhaps trying to solve the traffic situation maybe?

I guess, they too are wondering if Sherlock is home.

Everyone's trying to push through that wall. Don't think anyone has succeeded, though.

It wouldn't be the UK if there wasn't Stonehenge, right?

We surely do! Little Mr and Miss Books for Sale at this tent.

On the way to Serendra, you'll have to pass through this version of the London Eye.

Clems Castro, of the now defunct 'Orange and Lemons', played for the crowd.
Some British songs as well as original compositions made up his playlist for the night.

I didn't win the free trip but instead, that certain Mr. Tambunting did. 

Saturday was ended with a free screening of "Bend It Like Beckham"
featuring a young Kiera Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. 

Anglophiles they may not be but here they are at the #GREATBritishFestival with me.
Shoutout to friends who lend their support in any way they can!