What's On & Expat - Philippines

Damian Domingo, the first recognized Filipino classical painter during the Spanish colonial period, is a center of attention nowadays in the Art scene. A master portraitist, his creations in this genre have earned for him accolades both during his lifetime and posthumously.

India Ilocana

     An ongoing and long running exhibit at the Ayala Museum was recently inaugurated, unveiling not only his famous masterpieces but his hitherto unseen paintings as well. The unpublished paintings that are now being shown have been kept in the private collection of the painter’s descendants from one generation to another.

     The present exhibit is a first time event that brings together a representative collection of the entire portfolio of the celebrated artist. Portrait miniatures, the previously unseen religious themes from the collection of the Ongpins (the  painter’s heirs), and his works on Philippine costumes bring back memories from a country’s colorful albeit checkered history.

     A favorite painter of Manila’s well-to-do

class composed of Spaniards (peninsulars born in Spain), Filipinos (Spaniards born in

Domingo’s self portrait Indio Pampango

the Philippines), Sangleys (Chinese residents) and Indios (the original inhabitants, later called Filipinos since the onset of American rule), Domingo’s genius was easily recognized. Fame and fortune followed, but Domingo’s heart yearned to be of service to others.

     He found the outlet for service in the field of Art itself. Tapping his influential friends, he advanced the development of Art Education in the Philippines from self-study and apprenticeship to formal education. He gave talks to local painters, encouraging them to get steeped in painting principles but at the same time exercise freedom in visualization to reach heights of creativity.

Ballet Philippines
Presents American Ballerina

American Ballerina Bonnie Pickard

Two fresh choreographies are to light up the stage of the Cultural Center of the Philippines as its resident company Ballet Philippines (BP) presents “Rizal Revisited” and “Double Takes” with the special participation of visiting American ballerina Bonnie Pickard.


     Pickard is a Principal Dancer with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, the resident company of the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. She has performed the following ballets: Mazartiana by Balanchine Scotch Symphony, Serenade, La Source, Variations for Orchestra, Apollo, Divertimento No. 15, Waltz of the Flowers by Tsaichovsky, La Sonnambula, Divertissement Brillante, Stars and Stripes Pas de Deux, and Don Quixote, as well as Bejart’s Romeo and Juliet Pas de Deux. She appeared with the company on

national television in tribute to Suzanne Farrell at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2005.

     Pickard received her training at the Dayton Ballet School in Ohio. She began her professional career with Chautauqua Dance Company and continued on to dance for North Carolina Dance Theatre, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Montgomery Ballet, Margo Sappington and Valentina Kazlova’s Daring Project, Diane Coburn-Bruning’s Chamber Dance Project, and for Catherine Batcheller and Joseph Cipolla’s Configurations. She performed as a soloist at the 1998 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies in Nagano and in Europe with Ben Huys’ Stars of American Ballet. In addition, Ms. Pickard has appeared with Peter Boal & Company and performed extensively with BalletNY, a New York City based touring company directed by Judith Fugate and Medhi Bahiri. Her repertoire with BalletNY ranged from Balanchine’s Who Cares? to Forsythe’s Artifact II, from Stanton Welch’s Orange to Thaddeus Davis’ Once Before Twice After.

     Pickard’s guest performance with Ballet Philippines on August 10-12 will be her first on the Philippine stage.

19 New Films from Cinemalaya

Nineteen new digital films WILL compete in the 2007 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition on July 20-29, 2007 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

     Nine films will compete in the full length feature category. These are Endo by Jade Castro; Kadin (The Goat) by Adolfo B. Alix, Jr.; Gulong by Jeanne Lim and Socorro Fernandez; Ligaw Liham by Emilio “Jay” Abello VI; Pisay by Auraeus Solito; Sinungaling na Buwan (The Liar Moon) by Ed Lejano; Still Life by Katrina Flores; Tribu by Jim Libiran and Tukso (Temptation) by Dennis Marasigan.

     Ten films will compete in the short film category. These are: Doble Vista by Nisha Alicer, Nix Lañas and Caren Crisologo; Durog by Tara Illenberger; Gabon by Emmanuel dela Cruz; Liwanag sa Dilim by Lawrence Fajardo; Maikling Kwento by Hubert Tibi; Misteryo ng Hapis by Mark dela Cruz; Nineball by Enrico Aragon, Rolyo by Alvin Yapan, Tagapagligtas by Solita Garcia and To Ni by Vic Acedillo.

     10 WORLD PREMIERES
     Cinemalaya 2007 will also be highlighted by the world premieres of Filipino independent films, namely Barako by Manolito Sulit, Sapi by Arnold Argano, Cure for Boredom by Ato Bautista, Hanggang Dito Na Lamang at Maraming Salamat by Lino Tañada, Haw-Ang by Bong Ramos, Hilo by JP Carpio, Signos by Aloy Adlawan, Kiss Meeh, Manananggal Me! by Cris Pablo, Wen Timawa Meets Delgado by Rey Gilbraltar, among others.

     Cinemalaya 2007 will open on July 20 with the acclaimed film Foster Child by Brillante Mendoza. The film, which tells the story of a poor family who takes a three year old child under their wing, was presented in the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight. 

Shot from “Still Life”

Shot from “The Liar Moon”

Foster Child was produced by Seiko Film’s Robbie Tan.

     Cinemalaya 2007 will feature a total of 120 films in 209 screenings. New titles for exhibition include Blackout with Robin Padilla by Ato Bautista; Care Home with Nora Aunor by Suzett Ranillo; Faces of Love by National Artist Eddie Romero; the nine-hour epic Heremias by Lav Diaz; Imahenasyon, the omnibus film by 20 filmmakers doubled with Behind the Scenes by Jon Red; Inang Yaya by Pablo Biglang Awa and Veronica Velasco; Kaleldo and Manero by Brillante Mendoza; La Visa Loca by Mark Meily; Nasaan si Francis by Gabby Fernandez; Numbalikdiwa by Bobby Bonifacio; Sa Ilalim ng Cogon by Rico Ilarde; Squatter Punk with Live Band by Khavn; Stock Room by talent search winner turned filmmaker Hero Angeles; Todo Todo Teros by Jon Torres and Baliw by Redd Ochoa. The films of Cinemalaya 2005 and 2006 will also be screened.